(NewsNation) — A judge has ordered a Michigan community to stop blocking efforts to bring a major electric vehicle battery business to the region.
China-based manufacturing company Goshon filed a preliminary injunction on Friday, claiming that Green Township, Mecosta County, refused to abide by an agreement made by elected officials who were later removed from office. was recognized.
Following the judge’s ruling, community leaders say their fight is not over.
Local residents were outraged by the company’s ties to China and voted out the entire town government supporting the project. That way, they thought, they could prevent the deal from happening. They even tried to shut off the company’s water connection. Gothion sued the town, and a federal judge has now ruled that the project should be allowed to proceed while the lawsuit continues.
Federal Judge Jane Beckering wrote, “The significant financial and contractual damages that Gortion would suffer if this project, a large-scale project with a coordinated construction process, continued to be delayed are “Based on circuit court precedent, this constitutes irreparable harm.”
“Specifically, Gothion stated that “the project has been delayed and continues to be delayed with each passing day” without any guarantee that critical water infrastructure for the project will be secured.”
The Gorchon project is primarily supported by Democrats in the area. The community points out that the federal judge is a Democrat appointed by President Joe Biden.
“(People) are a little disappointed,” local Lori Block said. “It’s not going to stop us. It gives us determination. We’re 85% against Gortion. We’re against politicians building a lithium battery factory in our neighborhood. We don’t want that here, but they shoved it down our throats. With the support of the community, we will win.”
Community leaders are forming their own zoning board, which they hope will also add obstacles to the project. As for Gochon, he said he looks forward to working with the town to move the project forward.
