MARSHALL — As work continues to make Ford Motor Co.'s electric vehicle battery plant near Marshall a reality, the automaker has announced a number of donations to Calhoun County attractions.
Brooks Memorial Fountain in Marshall, Binder Park Zoo near Battle Creek and the Bohm Theatre in Albion are all receiving funds as part of Ford's "commitment to supporting communities" near the battery plant, the automaker announced.
The project site is a flurry of activity in itself these days as construction of the plant, dubbed BlueOval Battery Park Michigan, continues. Additionally, more than 1,000 trees and hundreds of shrubs are being planted around the facility, located on the nearly 2,000-acre Marshall Area Jobs Opportunities and Recreation (MAJOR) Campus.
This all comes as a group of area residents continue to challenge rezoning tied to the battery plant.
Here's a breakdown of the latest news surrounding the project:
Trees planted on MAJOR Campus
The recent landscaping work underway at the MAJOR Campus includes planting 1,067 trees and hundreds of shrubs, according to Jim Durian, CEO of Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance (MAEDA). Trees planted include white spruce, white pine, dawn redwood and six other varieties.
“We are pleased to see the first phase of this beautification and green space effort take shape on the MAJOR Campus,” Durian said. “This ongoing work demonstrates our dedication to protecting the environment, preserving green space and creating new recreational and educational opportunities for the entire community to enjoy.”
The campus includes 36 acres for Bear Creek, which has a historic barn, three houses and several other structures; 218 acres of conservation easement; 181 acres dedicated to southern stormwater management; and 19 acres for buffer and additional park space. Overall, the MAJOR Campus covers nearly 2,000 acres west of the city of Marshall. Its boundaries include Michigan Avenue (M-96) to the north, the Kalamazoo River to the south, 12 Mile Road to the west and Bear Creek to the east.
The campus will be home to Ford's BlueOval plant, which will ultimately occupy more than 500 acres east of 13 Mile Road. The battery plant is expected to create 1,700 jobs when production of lithium iron phosphate batteries begins at the plant in 2026.
The current tree and shrub planting effort is in addition to the $25,000 Ford recently donated to the city of Marshall to support efforts to plant new trees around town, helping the city take the next steps toward earning Tree City USA recognition.
“From planting trees to investing in new storm water infrastructure, we are committed to protecting our lakes, rivers and streams,” Durian said. “These new plantings will benefit and beautify our community now and long into the future.”
Ford donates $200K to Calhoun County attractions
Ford is contributing $200,000 to a few Calhoun County attractions to enhance them through restoration or improved community access.
More than 1,300 Calhoun County residents responded to a recent Ford survey and identified the Brooks Memorial Fountain in downtown Marshall, Binder Park Zoo near Battle Creek and the Bohm Theatre in Albion as the region’s most important community assets, guiding Ford’s donations.
“We are pleased to invest in these attractions that are cherished by the community,” Ford Community Relations Director Gabby Bruno said in a statement. “Ford is committed to strengthening communities everywhere we live and work, and that includes the area surrounding the new BlueOval Battery Park Michigan in Marshall.”
Ford will contribute $140,000 toward restoring the iconic Brooks Memorial Fountain. The company also will match fountain repair donations made as part of the inaugural Marshall Motorfest on Aug. 3.
“On behalf of the residents and visitors to Marshall, I want to extend our appreciation to Ford for their generous donation to the refurbishment of the Brooks Memorial Fountain,” Marshall Mayor James Schwartz said. “Ford continues to demonstrate that their good-neighbor pledge to the community is more than just words.”
Ford will also contribute $30,000 to Binder Park Zoo, helping provide increased access to the zoo for low-income families.
“Ford’s contribution will advance the Binder Park Zoo’s Ticket To Adventure program, which will help provide access to the zoo for low-income families across Calhoun County,” explained Diane Thompson, president and CEO of Binder Park Zoo. “We also appreciate Ford’s sponsorship of our Cheetah Chase 5K and their commitment as a season sponsor, enhancing our efforts in wildlife conservation and education.”
Ford’s $30,000 donation to the Bohm Theatre in Albion will also help ensure community access.
“Ford’s investment in the beautiful and historic Bohm Theatre is also an investment in the community of Albion and Calhoun County,” Shannon Aikins, executive director of the Bohm Theatre, said. “This investment will allow us to continue offering increased accessibility while dealing with the reality of ever-increasing costs in operating our 95-year-old architectural treasure.”
Michigan Court of Appeals hearing scheduled
The Michigan Court of Appeals is formally accelerating its consideration of a legal challenge to rezoning tied to the BlueOval project.
In March, the Court of Appeals granted the Committee for Marshall - Not the Megasite's motion to expedite its appeal in its case against the city of Marshall, City Clerk Michelle Eubank and the Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance. Committee members originally filed the lawsuit last year, arguing the city and Eubank inappropriately rejected their petition seeking a citywide vote on Ordinance # 2023-08 — which effectively rezones 741 acres of the Marshall Megasite in support of the Ford project.
A hearing is scheduled for June 6. The court is expected to hear arguments on the merits of the committee’s appeal as well as arguments on whether the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Michigan Strategic Fund can intervene in the case.
Contact reporter Greyson Steele at gsteele@battlecreekenquirer.com
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