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Calhoun County Board authorizes $10M CDBG application for United Solar Ovonic
Summary
The Calhoun County Board on Nov. 20 unanimously authorized submission of a $10 million Community Development Block Grant application to help United Solar Ovonic purchase manufacturing equipment in Battle Creek; county officials said the project could create about 700 jobs and requires an environmental review and formal award before costs are incurred.
The Calhoun County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Nov. 20 to authorize submission of a $10,000,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application to aid United Solar Ovonic, LLC in purchasing equipment to manufacture solar panels in Battle Creek.
Assistant County Administrator Bradley Wilcox asked the board to approve the application and said the county would be the grant administrator. The board adopted a resolution authorizing Chairwoman Kate Segal to sign necessary forms with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
The request drew a detailed explanation from Doug Voshell of Battle Creek Unlimited, who described the company’s proposed move to a River Road/Clark Road site as a $440 million project for Battle Creek and said the plant could create about 700 jobs. Voshell noted CDBG rules would require that 51 percent of jobs created be filled by low- and moderate-income persons and described company benefits including health and dental insurance and a retirement program. He told the board the company had negotiated site options and that "if the grant funding is not acquired, the project is up in the air." (Doug Voshell)
A member of the public, John LaPietra, asked whether grant funding could be pursued to develop infrastructure at the Marshall Township site; Voshell said the Battle Creek site was ready and that the Marshall Township location lacks utilities. Chairwoman Kate Segal clarified that a CDBG would not fund utility development and that a different grant would be required for that purpose.
The board’s resolution notes that no CDBG project costs will be incurred prior to a formal grant award, completion of environmental review procedures and written authorization to incur costs from the Michigan Strategic Fund. The roll-call vote on the authorization was Yes – Arnquist, Bolger, Moore, Rae, Segal, Solis and Todd (7-0).
Next steps outlined by staff included completing the application and proceeding with the environmental review required by HUD before any project expenditures. The board also discussed coordinating with the City of Marshall, Marshall Township and Battle Creek Unlimited to pursue federal funding for infrastructure where appropriate.
