Gotion Inc. is gearing up to make its first hires around Big Rapids, Mich., for a $2.4 billion electric vehicle battery parts plant that executives hope will remain non-unionized.
The project is moving forward following the Chinese company’s acquisition of 270 acres of land for the factory in Green Township and approval from company Chairman Li Zhen, who toured the site a few weeks ago with board members and expressed concerns over pushback to the plant.
“Certainly they had some questions,” said Chuck Thelen, executive at Gotion tasked with moving the plant in Michigan forward. “When it gets to national news, it even makes its way back to Germany and China. So, they were a little concerned.”
Gotion, whose largest shareholders are Volkswagen and Zhen, a Chinese national, has been at the center of controversy, from locals concerned over environmental pollution to politicians raising red flags over national security.
Thelen said he answered the questions from the board members, who ultimately signed off on the project. “I explained where the pushback was coming from, and I outlined the overwhelming support we have from the people who are actually in office,” he said.
While the land acquisition solidified the company’s commitment to the controversial project, there are still hurdles to be cleared, including final contracts with the township, state and utility companies, as well as environmental permits.
Still, Thelen hopes business will be a little smoother sailing here on out. He said he aims to start recruiting employees this week, first within a 25-mile radius of the site before expanding it to the rest of the state.
Thelen said the company will likely have 40-50 employees by year’s end in engineering, IT and other positions essential for initial operations. A workforce training partnership with nearby Ferris State University is a key piece of its labor sourcing strategy.
The plan also includes bringing 20-50 short-term employees from China to help set the plant up. A general contractor and architect are expected to be named in the next few days.