More than 100 Marshall area business owners, school leaders, elected officials urge Michigan congressional delegation to keep Ford’s BlueOval Battery Park Michigan project on track

Marshall residents, local leaders urge Congress to protect BlueOval Battery Park Michigan by preserving Federal Tax Production Credit



More than 100 Marshall area small business owners, school leaders, elected officials and other community stakeholders signed a letter to Michigan’s congressional delegation urging the preservation of a federal production tax credit that enables continued investment in BlueOval Battery Park Michigan.

“As Congress continues to work through the budget reconciliation process, we ask that you consider how important the Production Tax Credit is to potential economic growth for families and businesses across the Calhoun County region,” the letter reads.

“The economic impact of this investment on this region cannot be overstated.”

BlueOval Battery Michigan is already making an incredible positive impact on the local economy. More than 1,500 skilled trades workers are at the site every day. Small businesses in the area are benefiting from the growing local workforce with more customers visiting nearby hotels, restaurants and shops. The City of Marshall and other taxing authorities are already receiving tax revenue benefits from the project that will grow to millions of dollars annually once the plant begins production.

“This kind of job and tax revenue growth is imperative for our region, which has been losing jobs and population over the past 20 years,” said James Durian, CEO of the Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance. “This project is also critically important to the United States so we can bring manufacturing jobs and the supply chain back home and compete with China. These will be American jobs for an American company at an innovative American-owned battery facility.”

BlueOval Battery Park Michigan is expected to create 1,700 local jobs when production of batteries for electric vehicles begins next year. The Ford team is actively hiring employees to fill a variety of roles at BlueOval Battery Park Michigan, including engineers and production managers.

The Ford facility in Marshall will help ensure the United States is less reliant on foreign countries, including China, to power electric vehicles.

“The devastating supply chain breakdown that we still feel the effects of five years later shows what happens when we’re too reliant on technology from China and other foreign countries,” said Vince Pavone, owner of Lakeview Ford Lincoln in Battle Creek, who signed the letter of support. “We need Congress to keep this project on track to bring home our supply chain.”

Ford hasn’t been waiting for production to begin at BlueOval Battery Park Michigan to play an active role in communities across Calhoun County. The Michigan automaker has invested more than $600,000 across several organizations and services, including Marshall Public Schools, the Bohm Theater, Binder Park Zoo, the Marshall Historical Society and the City of Marshall for tree planting and repairs to the Brooks Memorial Fountain.

Among those who have signed the letter of support for the project include:

  • Mayor of Albion, Victoria Snyder
  • Mayor of Battle Creek, Mark Behnke
  • Mayor of Marshall, Scott Wolfersberger
  • Marshall Township Trustee, Jeff Albaugh
  • Calhoun County Sheriff, Steve Hinkley
  • Calhoun County Commissioner, Matt Saxton
  • Calhoun County Commissioner, Derek King
  • Calhoun County Administrator, Kelli Scott
  • City of Marshall Manager, Derek Perry
  • Members of Albion City Council, Andrew French, Jim Stuart
  • Members of Battle Creek City Council, Pat O’Donnell, Carla Reynolds
  • Members of Marshall City Council, Ryan Underhill, Andrew Scibbe, Ryan Traver, Jacob Gates, James Hackworth, Theresa Chaney Huggett
  • Marshall Public Schools Superintendent, Becky Jones
  • President of Marshall Public Schools Board, Amanda Lankerd
  • Members of Marshall Public Schools Board, Matt Davis, Derek Allen
  • 15 Members of Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance Board
  • Members of Albion Economic Development Corp.
  • Members of Battle Creek Unlimited
  • Members of Southwest Michigan First
  • Kellogg Community College President, Paul Watson
  • Members of Kellogg Community College Board, Lisa Mueller, Paul Watson, Steve Claywell, Darin Aldrich, Xenia McKay
  • Small business owners, including Sue Damron (Schuler’s), Jason LaForge (Louie’s Bakery), Caryn Drenth (owner of Handle & Hinge and Living MI in downtown Marshall), Mike Lounds (Bogar Theatre)

    Additional video content featuring supporters’ comments about the benefits of BlueOval Battery Park Michigan are featured on YouTube, including those from:

  • Sue Damron, president and CEO of Schuler’s Restaurant in downtown Marshall
  • Caryn Drenth, owner of Handle & Hinge and Living MI in downtown Marshall
  • Mike Lounds, owner of the Bogar Theatre, TrailBlazers and Pawfitters in downtown Marshall
  • Marshall High School students
  • Kellogg Community College students and instructors
  • Marshall Public School Board member Derek Allen
  • Andrew Scibbe, owner of Pastrami Joe’s