Despite the state legislature giving approval for Gotion to build a battery plant near Big Rapids, Gotion is delaying its request for rezoning in Green Township.

 

This comes as there's been community concern over what they believe is a connection from Gotion's parent company to the Chinese communist party.

 

Gotion's vice president of North American Affairs, Check Thelen, says that Gotion Inc. is a subsidiary of its Chinese parent company and is independent from any communist influence.

 

In a press release, Thelen says the rezoning has been delayed to answer the community's questions.

 

"Temporarily delaying the rezoning application also gives us the time needed to continue to communicate with the local community and answer the many questions that have been raised. We're confident that when the facts are presented, we can effectively resolve these questions and show the tremendous benefit to the community." Thelen said. 

 

"This property, which is adjacent to the freeway, is currently zoned for agricultural use. Our long term goal is to get this particular property zoned industrial  like the rest of the land for the proposed project but it's not needed to get the construction phase started." Thelen added. 

 

The project is expected to hire 2,300 people over the next decade.