Elected officials, GOP leaders, ag industry endorse next steps toward developing Marshall Megasite

Support for the development of the Marshall Megasite, which is projected to bring 2,000-3,000 high-paying manufacturing jobs to the area, is swelling as local officials are poised to take an important step Thursday to move the project forward.

Letters from key business owners, elected officials, Republican Party leaders and others are pouring in as Marshall Township Board members take up a property transfer needed to keep the project moving.

“This project is critically important to our region in terms of jobs, investment and opportunities for young people,” former Republican state Sen. Mike Nofs, of Battle Creek, wrote in his letter. “We need to send a clear message that we are open for business, and we want these jobs and opportunities right here in Southwest Michigan.”

Chuck Lippstreu, President of the Michigan Agri-Business Association, said development of the Marshall Megasite shows the way rural communities can host a diverse mix of job-creating industries from agriculture to manufacturing and beyond.

“The importance of identifying and seizing opportunities to keep families in rural communities, and even attract new workers to our state, cannot be understated for the long-term success of agriculture,” Lippstreu wrote.

Mark Behnke, the mayor of Battle Creek, said he is excited that the city will play a role in the project by supplying its water.

“As a long-time resident of the community who has served on the Battle Creek City Commission for nearly 30 years, I know how important the Marshall Megasite is for the entire region,” Behnke wrote. “The Marshall Megasite project is a once-in-a-generation opportunity our area cannot afford to lose.”

Josh Hundt, executive vice president and chief projects officer for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), noted that the Marshall Megasite is a nationally recognized premier development site and will support the vitality of the Marshall community for decades.

“Recent efforts have involved preparing the site to host a major EV or battery manufacturing development, which would create thousands of good-paying jobs for area residents while acting as a magnet to attract and keep young talent in the community where they can build a career and a future,” Hundt wrote.

James Durian, CEO of the Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance (MAEDA), said seeing broad support for the project shows the long-term benefit such a development will have across southwest Michigan.

“This project will spark investment and pump millions of dollars into local small businesses,” Durian said. “We cannot afford to lose this opportunity to other communities or another state.”