Marshall residents, business leaders applaud elected officials for keeping Ford facility moving forward

Apr 21, 2023

MARSHALL, Mich. — Area residents, business leaders and small business owners are applauding local elected officials who took another step this week toward the development of Ford Motor Co.’s electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturing facility that will bring thousands of jobs and millions of dollars of investment to southwest Michigan.

The Marshall Township Board and the Marshall City Council voted this week to approve additional property transfers needed to keep the BlueOval Battery Park Michigan project moving forward. A number of residents and workers provided supportive testimony for the project at the meetings this week and dozens of others have written letters of support.

“Time and again, we’ve seen our elected leaders – those folks who represent everyday Marshall residents – provide overwhelming support for steps needed to make the BlueOval Battery Park Michigan project become a reality,” said James Durian, CEO of the Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance (MAEDA). “This facility will add 2,500 jobs to the economy when it opens in 2026 and thousands more much earlier for construction and other needs. It is truly a once-in-a-generation development that will spark investment and create an infusion of millions of dollars into the local economy, helping small businesses like restaurants and area shops.”

This week’s votes are just the latest by local officials to keep up momentum on the project that will eventually produce EV batteries, putting Michigan in a position to lead in the development of this cutting-edge technology that represents the future of the auto industry. In recent months, officials at the township, city and county level have consistently supported similar transfers with super majority votes, Durian said.

Derek Allen, a Marshall resident and the chief operating officer of Starr Commonwealth in nearby Albion, said the Ford project is a once-in-a-lifetime economic opportunity for the region.

“I strongly believe this is the right thing for our community and I am thrilled to welcome our new neighbor, Ford Motor Company, with open arms,” he said. “This is a win-win-win for our entire community and the greater southwest Michigan region. With this development, our community will grow, our local businesses will thrive, and families will remain here in Marshall.”

The community and local businesses are excited about opportunities for the immediate area as well as the region and the entire state that come with being home to a high-tech facility like the one Ford is planning.

“The last few years have been difficult ones for business owners and it’s wonderful to see our local leaders continue to take steps to turn the tide by showing their ongoing support for the $3.5 billion Ford facility,” said Andrew Scibbe, the owner of Pastrami Joe’s in downtown Marshall. “I’m excited to see what happens when we have more people visiting our charming downtown.”

Jack Reed, vice president of business development at Sturgis Bank, which has locations across the region and in Marshall, said he appreciates local leaders who see the long-lasting impact that the BlueOval Battery Park Michigan project will have in southwest Michigan.

“Experts project this development will generate a total personal income of nearly $30 billion over 20 years,” Reed said. “We are happy to have elected leaders who see the promise of a project like this one. It’s one that will be a magnet for billions of dollars, helping to improve the quality of life for many long into the future.”