GRAND RAPIDS, Mich — While the former Green Charter Township board supported Gotion's efforts to build a $2.4 billion electric vehicle battery plant, the new board members, including Trustee Kelly Cushway, do not.
"If Gotion is here to stay, then we've got to work with them," said Cushway. "We got to make sure that decisions are made that are in the best interest of the township, it would be very pleasing to me. Nothing would make me happier than for Gotion to pull out."
Earlier this year, a recall effort was started to replace the five members of the township board.
"There was a lot of people that showed their opposition to this project," said Cushway.
- Supervisor Jason Kruse
- Clerk Corri Riebow
- Treasurer Robert Henderson
- Trustee Kelly Cushway
- and Trustee Jeff Thorne
All five of the new board members terms will be up on Nov. 20, 2024.
Supervisor Jason Kruse opposed the way the old board handled the deal and is concerned about the possible environmental impacts the plant may have on the community.
"The board is going to have to do a resolution regarding their stance on the Gotion project," said Kruse. "My personal stance is, is I'm not necessarily thrilled with the idea of having Gotion come in and change our, our community and our environment."
Supervisor Kruse explained what future conversations about the company would look like.
"The new board will have to honor any kind of contractional negotiations that have taken place between Gotion and Green Charter Township. What we're going to do is, we're going to reevaluate some of those contracts that we've had, and maybe we do a little bit of changing, maybe ask some more questions."
Gotion's Vice President of North American Affairs Chuck Thelen has said that Gotion Inc. is a subsidiary of its Chinese parent company and is independent from any communist influence.
"Has the communist party penetrated this company? No," Thelen said in April. "Do we have articles of incorporation that require a specific paragraph where you don't do business in the country of China? Yes."
Former Township Supervisor Jim Chapman doesn't believe the recall will impact the project.
"That's not going to affect it at all? All right, the land is sold," said Chapman. "The land is zoned properly, it has been for 20 years. There is no decision-making-pull-the-plug decision that can be made in Green Township. There's not... there's nothing legally that can be done."
However, New Trustee Jeff Thorne believes Gotion is not a done deal and would like to see more done to bring other businesses to town.
"I'm a businessman," said Thorne. "I'm not against economic growth. I'm not one of these you know, saying oh, let's not have any more businesses here, but you know, I don't think this is the right fit".
When it comes down to if support for Gotion Inc. was worth it in the long run, Chapman stands by his decision.
"I've been working for what I feel is the best interest of the constituents of this township and the residents of the entire community," said Chapman. "That responsibility has been lifted off my shoulders and I'm looking forward to going deer hunting next week."
In response to the successful recall effort, Gotion Inc. sent the following statement:
“Gotion is a multinational company that does not engage in political posturing,” said Chuck Thelen, vice president of Gotion Inc. – North American Manufacturing. “We continue to steadfastly work to meet our commitment of creating 2,350 jobs in the state of Michigan while communicating factually and transparently with all regulatory organizations.”
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