MARSHALL, MI (WNWN/WTVB) – The Marshall City Council took no formal action Thursday night during a special meeting as opponents to the proposed $3-point-5 billion BlueOval Battery Park continue to keep the heat on.
Many in the audience who spoke demanded the city put the rezoning of over 700 acres of land to a public vote. The meeting was held at the Marshall Regional Law Enforcement Center.
Opponents calling themselves “The Committee for Marshall – Not the Megasite” have gathered over 800 petition signatures thus surpassing the required number of 580 which is 10 percent of the number of registered voters in the city.
The Battle Creek Enquirer says the city has until Monday to determine if the petition signatures are valid.
Ford Motor Company officials say the project will create 2,500 jobs for the area when production of lithium iron phosphate batteries are scheduled to begin in 2026.
The Marshall City Council unanimously approved a rezoning request on a 741 acre parcel of the Marshall Megasite for the project during the early morning hours of May 2.
The vote came at the end of a nearly eight hour meeting which featured multiple presentations and nearly five hours of public comment for and against the project. The gavel to end the meeting did not sound until just before 3:00 a.m..
