Gotion EV Battery Plant in Big Rapids
Mecosta County’s grassroots fight to protect their agricultural community & the Lake Michigan watershed.
Why are Muskegon River Watershed neighbors so concerned?
Paving a wetlands to put up a lithium battery plant
The plant is slated to be built atop what is currently a pristine wetlands site, and host to many rare species, including blue heron, bald eagles, several species of bats, and possibly even the Karner blue butterfly. What’s more: this wetlands site, which helps to regulate local aquifers, runs through a creek less than half a mile long into the Muskegon River, which is a major Lake Michigan waterway.
As if that weren’t enough, the amount of water Gotion proposes to take from the local aquifer is more than Nestle’s Ice Mountain. It’s 715,000 gallons per day.
This site WILL negatively impact local agriculturalists, and the local watershed. The lack of environmental due diligence has been shocking, and we as residents have no faith that our state regulatory agencies, like EGLE, will do anything to prevent what appears to be a looming ecological catastrophe.
Project snapshot
- 500+ acres (including wetlands)
- intake of 715,000 gallons of water per day
- output of 65,000 gallons of wastewater per day
- materials Gotion has mentioned include lithium carbonate, coated spherical purified graphite, and cobalt
- failed to comply with any CFIUS reviews
- no environmental impact study (EIS) has been provided
- minimal information re: worker health & safety
- no formalized fire & hazard management plans
Gotion's Developers & Key Players
Gotion, Inc., a subsidiary of Guoxuan High-Tech
Gotion, Inc., a subsidiary of Guoxuan High-Tech
Gotion, Inc. is a subsidiary of its Hefei, China-based parent company, Guoxuan High-Tech Company, Ltd., and whose holding company is the Nanjing China-based Nanjing Guoxuan Holding Group Company, Ltd. Gotion, Inc.’s Vice President is Chuck Thelen.
The Right Place
Gotion, Inc., a subsidiary of Guoxuan High-Tech
A private-public economic development corporation serving the greater Grand Rapids area, The Right Place partnered with the Mecosta County Economic Development Corporation to spearhead the Gotion project in Big Rapids. The Right Place’s CEO and President is Randy Thelen, cousins to Chuck Thelen.
Michigan Economic Development Corporation
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
The MEDC is the state of Michigan’s private-public economic development corporation, which has been spearheading megasite developments like these across the state. The funds approved and transferred by Michigan legislators for Gotion are in the MEDC’s keeping. Randy Thelen was recently appointed by Gov. Whitmer to MEDC’s Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) board.
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
EGLE is the regulatory agency responsible for providing the permits for Gotion. Thus far, they’ve done absolutely nothing to prompt Gotion or state officials to insist on basic environmental impact due diligence, which falls outside of the scope of permitting. EGLE’s Director’s Management Assistant is Mary Beth Thelen.
Green Charter Township Board
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
Mecosta County Board of Commissioners
The Green Charter Township Board unanimously voted to approve a motion to support Gotion in early 2023 with no input from the community, and with most residents having no idea what was happening. Supervisor Jim Chapman testified before both Michigan House and Senate Appropriations Committees that over 90% of residents were in support of the project, when in fact no polling had been conducted. Trustee Dale Jernstadt has signed a purchase agreement with Gotion for $20M for his property within the Gotion site.
Mecosta County Board of Commissioners
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
Mecosta County Board of Commissioners
The Mecosta County Board of Commissioners approved a motion to support Gotion in October of 2022, led by Chair Bill Routley. Board trustee Jerilynn Strong has testified before legislators stating over 90% of her constituents are in support of the project, with no polling data to support her claims. Bill Routley is an elder at Trinity Fellowship Church in Big Rapids, where Big Rapids Township Supervisor Bill Stanek and Ferris State University President Bill Pink are also members.
Mecosta County Economic Development Corporation
With no notable projects until Gotion, Mecosta County’s local economic development corporation is spearheaded by The Right Place’s Mecosta County liaison, Kelly Wawsczyk. The board treasurer is Bill Stanek, who supported Gotion from his position as Supervisor of the Big Rapids Township board.
Michigan State House Appropriations Committee
On March 15th, Michigan’s House Appropriations Committee heard no testimonies from residents, and asked no questions about the environmental impact of the project before approving $175M in taxpayer funding for the Chinese-owned EV battery plant.
Michigan State Senate Appropriations Committee
Michigan State Senate Appropriations Committee
On April 20th, Michigan’s Senate Appropriations Committee, led by Sen. Sarah Anthony, voted 10-9 to approve the transfer of $175M to the Gotion project, despite outrage from residents and bipartisan warnings of national security risks. Only three democrats voted against the bill: Senators Rosemary Bayer, Jeff Irwin, and Sylvia Santana.
