Hundreds of residents, local officials came out on Tuesday during the Green Township board meeting Tuesday night at the Paris Stone Hatchery. 

 

The main topic on everyone's mind was a $2.5 billion dollar battery components plant set for construction early in the fall. 

 

During the meeting, Gotion Vice President of North American Operations, Chuck Thelen addressed enviromental and safety concerns as well as accusations of Chinese Communist Party influence. 

 

“We’re not Chinese owned or controlled by a political party," said Thelen. "Our stock is traded amongst multinational owners of that stock.”

 

Thelen also addressed rumors going around the community regarding materials and chemicals used to make the battery components.

 

Thelen said Gotion will be using graphite, iron phosphate and lithium carbonate.

 

"The scares about lithium self-exploding in the trucks around our city and then the plant don't make sense," said Thelen. "Why would we invest $2.4 billion just to blow up the building. Makes no sense."

 

On Monday, Gotion safety officials met with local emergency personnel to present and discuss what chemicals and materials the battery components manufacturer would be transporting and using at the Green Township facility.

 

 

Research engineer, Martin Payne, Safety engineer Dr. Jennifer Hoffman and logistics expert Jason Cecil all from Gotions Independence, Ohio facility made presentations ranging from what the materials and chemicals are made of, the safety protocols in place if something were to happen and how Gotion would be transporting these materials.

 

The project is expected to hire over 2,300 employees over the next 10 years. 

 

(Residents waiting for Green Twp. Board meeting to start)

 

(More people filing in before meeting)

 

(Gotion VP of North America, Chuck Thelen addressing the board's questions and concerns during Gotion presentation)  

 

 

(Thelen answering a resident's question regarding the battery components plant)