September court decision keeps BlueOval Battery Park Michigan on track to create 2,500 jobs in Marshall
Judge calls lawsuit a “scheme” that violates charter, flouts Supreme Court precedent
Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023
MARSHALL, Mich. — The Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance (MAEDA) is applauding a judge’s decision today to dismiss a pending complaint aimed at stopping Ford’s BlueOval Battery Park Michigan, which keeps the project on track to create more than 2,500 local jobs.
The order by visiting Calhoun County Judge William Marietti notes the ordinance targeted by opponents of the Ford project correctly included an appropriation of money, which prohibits it from being subject to a referendum.
The judge notes that zoning of the parcel where Ford’s facility will be located would "generate site plan reviews as well as building inspections to achieve the purposes of promoting safety, meeting the needs for industry, and reducing hazards to life and property. The appropriation directly relates to and implements the object and express purposes of the ordinance.”
The judge’s decision to reject the pending complaint aimed at derailing the Ford facility notes the petition failed to follow provisions laid out in the Marshall City Charter.
“This court will not exercise its discretionary equitable powers to facilitate a scheme that violates the City Charter and flouts Supreme Court precedent,” Marietti wrote.
Jim Durian, CEO of MAEDA, said today’s decision supports the work by local officials to follow the letter of the law as they took steps to ensure this exciting project happens in Marshall and benefits the area as well as the entire region.
“This decision affirms the hard work, vision and leadership of local elected officials in Marshall who have worked tirelessly to help bring back 2,500 local jobs to our area after years of job loss and inflation,” Durian said. “Hundreds of workers in the skilled trades and construction are already feeling the positive benefits of Ford’s BlueOval Battery Park Michigan as they work on the site. With this ruling, Ford’s BlueOval Battery Park will remain on track and our community and small businesses will reap the benefits in terms of new jobs and new opportunities for decades to come.”