Federal judge upholds ruling for Gotion to move forward with battery plant

The Green Charter Township Board of Trustees must honor its development agreement with Gotion Inc. while the lawsuit is pending, a federal judge reiterated again on Wednesday.

The judge upheld a lower court ruling issued earlier this year.

”We greatly appreciate the court’s continued affirmation of our position and are eager to collaborate with the township to move this vital project forward,” said Chuck Thelen, vice president of Gotion Inc. – North American Manufacturing. “The project will create more than 2,300 great-paying jobs to the families of this region.”

The development agreement outlines a list of conditions and obligations that both Gotion Inc. and Green Charter Township must meet during the process of constructing and maintaining Gotion’s proposed battery components facility.

For example, the township must assist Gotion Inc. in obtaining any licenses, permits, or other governmental authorizations necessary to advance and support the project; execute necessary easement documents to provide access to the property for any public infrastructure improvements; and coordinate with the Mecosta County Road Commission and Mecosta County Drain Commission with respect to public infrastructure improvements contemplated.

Under the contract, Gotion Inc.’s obligations include giving area residents priority over new jobs, greatly limiting traffic congestion on public roads by constructing an on-site truck/trailer staging area, adhering to a dark sky design to limit the amount of light generated from the facility; and prohibiting activity that supports or encourages any political philosophy among its employees or the community.