The people of Green Charter Township have thwarted the desires of both the State of Michigan and the Chinese government. The state has now shelved a plan to build a massive Chinese battery plant in the rural western Michigan township about an hour’s drive north of Grand Rapids.
The Chinese Are Coming!
When the project first saw the light of day in October 2022, all was sweetness and light. The Chinese-owned company, Gotion, wanted to build a facility to process raw materials to supply a plant it was already building in Illinois. A press release from Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s office painted a rosy scenario.
“Gotion’s $2.36 billion investment creating 2,350 good-paying jobs…is the biggest ever economic development project in Northern Michigan and will shore up our status as the global hub of mobility and electrification. I am proud that Republicans and Democrats…empowered Michigan to compete for every project and every job. Together, we will…become the preeminent destination for electric vehicle and mobility companies. We will work with anyone and compete with everyone to keep bringing supply chains of batteries, chips, and electric vehicles home to Michigan.”
The feds approved the deal. The State of Michigan went even further, offering Gotion almost $175 million in incentives. The State actually paid out $23.6 million for land acquisition before construction even started. It looked like the proverbial “done deal” when the township board approved the necessary permits to begin construction. All of the pieces appeared to be in place.
Assessing the Risks
Then a massive Chinese balloon flew over the United States. It entered U.S. airspace over Alaska and spent a week lazily gliding over the country until the military finally got orders to shoot it down off the coast of South Carolina. The balloon’s purpose is still mysterious, but it proved two things to many Americans. First, the Chinese had the potential to penetrate American airspace. Second, the U.S. government was asleep at the switch.
The message was clear: Americans could not trust their government to prevent Chinese encroachment. The people of western Michigan heard that message loud and clear.
Of course, that was not the only reason to resist the construction of a massive factory in a hitherto fore agricultural area. Traffic, pollution, and the safety of those whose land bordered the factory site—all were reasons for concern. The township’s residents were not silent.
The State Changes Sides
Initially, representatives of state and local governments dismissed the concerns as the ravings of the uninformed. Township Supervisor Jim Chapman showed his contempt when he referred to a local confectionery. “Are they going to steal Carlleen Rose’s fudge recipe?”
One month after the New York Times published the comment, voters recalled Mr. Chapman. While they were at it, they recalled four other members of the Township Board—all of whom supported the construction plan. The new members revoked Gotion’s construction permits. The company sued. Construction slowed, then stopped.
Now, the State is accusing Gotion of abandoning the project, claiming that no “Eligible Activities” have taken place on the site for over 120 days. Therefore, the state wants its money, all $23,670,873.56 of it, back.
Surprised, Shocked and Amazed
Gotion’s lawyers responded to the State’s demands. A letter from the company’s attorneys expressed shock.
“It is even more surprising,” the letter explained, “that the state of Michigan suggests that Gotion has ‘abandoned’ the Project, considering the immense challenges that Gotion has experienced in Michigan.” Then the company, to use a well-worn political expression, played the race card. “These well-documented challenges, false accusations, and politically motivated attacks were not through any actions or inactions by Gotion, but solely due to racist and ethnically charged stereotypes that led Green Charter Township to breach the parties’ Development Agreement.”
At the end of the four-page missive, the letter mentioned the “millions of dollars” that Gotion has invested. Then, the company hoisted what may be the surrender flag.” If neither the local governments nor the state of Michigan will support the project, then all stakeholders should be involved in a solution-based conversation.”
Dead or Barely Alive?
According to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), the state agency overseeing the project, this might not be the end. Officially, an MEDC official told local television station WXMI, “The deal does remain in place.” The official says that the agency had not yet received a termination letter from the company. At the same time, “The MEDC is open to a mutual resolution that could return the public funds and see the battery plant plans be dropped.”
However, all indications are that both Gotion and the state of Michigan are content to let this one pass by.
Perhaps the last word on the project will be that of Township Supervisor Bruce Borkovitch, who told local news website Bridge Michigan, “We want good industry. We want industry that doesn’t negatively impact our environment, and we want industry that’s safe.” The supervisor added one other caveat, “The board wouldn’t be in favor of industry where the business is going to be controlled by the Chinese Communist Party.”
Photo Credit: © SeanPavonePhoto– stock.adobe.com
Updated December 1, 2025.