Mecosta County residents will get an opportunity to receive free smoke detectors after Gotion Inc. donated $2,500 to purchase the potentially life-saving alarms for area families in need.

Chuck Thelen, vice president of Gotion Inc. – North American Manufacturing, presented a ceremonial check to Big Rapids Department of Public Safety Deputy Director Steve Schroeder at the Big Rapids Fire Station today. Big Rapids Mayor Fred Guenther, County Administrator Paul Bullock and other officials also attended the presentation.

Gotion Inc. decided to make the donation after Thelen learned that some families in the area did not have residential smoke detectors. 

“Smoke detectors are such an effective way to protect our loved ones at home, and Gotion Inc. is honored to make this donation to help save lives in Mecosta County,” Thelen said. “We’re planning to have a positive effect on our region in a variety of ways over the next several years, but one way to make a more immediate impact is to help get smoke detectors into more homes as quickly as possible.”

The smoke detectors will be distributed to homes in need in the area during the coming weeks.

Gotion Inc. plans to construct a state-of-the-art battery components facility in Green Charter Township that will eventually create more than 2,300 good-paying jobs.

The plant is expected to break ground this summer after all permits are approved by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and other regulatory bodies.