Here's a link to the specs provided by Choose Marshall (MAEDA) on the "proposed Marshall Megasite". AKA "Mega Disaster" for Marshall.   

Buyer Beware!!  MAEDA is not honest when reporting about the Marshall Megasite!!!

On its page, Choose Marshall spells out all the wonderful things about the Marshall, Megasite i.e. close proximity to Lake Michigan beaches.   To tell you the truth, not once in my entire childhood did my parents say, "Hey kids, want to drive to Lake Michigan?"  The nearest beach is an hour and a half way!!  But Choose Marshall makes it sound like it's a hop, skip and a jump away.   

Let's get real, the closest potential 1,600 acre recreational area around Marshall IS the Megasite.   It shouldn't be an Industrial Park, Marshall needs more recreational opportunities.  Oh, one can still walk around the mall in Battle Creek.  (is the mall still open?).   We are located in a recreational wasteland. 

On the other hand, if MAEDA and Choose Marshall had any foresight, they would advocate for the Kalamazoo River Recreational Area! 

But I digress, Back to MAEDA's dishonesty.    On the spec form (see below) MAEDA declares that there a NO EXISTING BUILDING SITES ON THE MEGASITE?????? WHAT THE HELL!!???   

The photo above is the historic Riverside Farm. A spectacular farmstead that has been here for 120 years.   The photo at the bottom of the page is the Bauer Farmstead which is located across the street.   

Choose Marshal (aka MAEDA) cares nothing about Marshall's history, historic structure or culture.    They do not represent the people or the character of our community.    Choose Marshall, choose another community to ruin with your industrial site!!

Marshall, Michigan is not only a Michigan treasure, but a National one and should not be Michigan's next Mega industrial center!! Positioning the "Michigan Megasite" in Marshall is akin to putting an industrial park on Mackinac Island or Greenfield Village!.   The Marshall Historic District is a National Historic Landmark District that encompasses a significant portion of the central residential and commercial area of Marshal. 

Marshall is officially recognized by the United States government for its outstanding historical significance. Only some 2,500 (~3%) of over 90,000 places listed on the country's National Register of Historic Places are recognized as National Historic Landmarks.

The district is nationally significant for the remarkably unified and well-preserved street plan, architecture, and public infrastructure, one of the largest such concentrations in the nation. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1991. The historic district designated in 1991 is about 325 acres (132 ha) in size, and includes more than 750 historically significant buildings.

The establishment of a Mega Industrial Site in Marshall is incompatible with our historic rural character. The "Marshall Megasite" aka "Michigan Megasite" will forever change the fabric of our small rural community and will be the loss of a national treasure!   Governor Whitmer, halt the Megasite!!  

Marshall, Michigan is known across the state of Michigan as a historic small agricultural community.  "Choose Marshall," AKA the Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance, a private nonprofit organization, wants to turn it into Michigan's next industrial community!!  This will destroy the culture of our community!  We must say no to MAEDA and these plans.  When questioned about these plans, MAEDA replies, "The state is involved," making it seem that this is a state driven agenda.  It is not!  MAEDA receives money from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to promote industry.  But let's be clear, MAEDA invited the state to our small community!!    A private nonprofit organization does NOT speak for the people of Marshall.  James Durian, CEO of MAEDA, and resident of Mason, Michigan does not represent the people of Marshall.   The map above is the Township Zoning Plan created by the Marshall Township Planning Commission.  It was voted on in October 2022 by that commission.  It is noteworthy that Richard Lindsey, Secretary of the Planning Commission is also an employ of MAEDA.  

Many different news outlets have "reported" on the State's proposed "Marshall Megasite" in the last few years. Usually this coverage is nothing more than repeating the press release which has been handed to them by MAEDA  AKA Choose Marshall.   There's no reporting on what is currently on these lands other than "vacant land" "agricultural lands".  There's no mention of the historic farmsteads like the one shown here. There's no mention of where the water, sewage, and other infrastructure will come from.  There have been NO interviews with the people who are, and will be forced from their homes.  NOTHING.  Local and regional news have become merely the spokesperson for local government, when they are supposed to be questioning government.  We have reached out to many different news outlets including Michigan Radio and Wood TV8, but they have failed research the megasite.  When they hear that the state is involved, many people back away as though we are in communist China.  In reality, only a handful of people are making the decision about the Michigan Megasite. More people in and around Marshall have expressed their Opposition to the site then those who promote it.  Many still don't know the state's "plan."   I say "plan" because very little thought has gone into the environmental, social and cultural effects this Mega Industrial Dump will have on the community of Marshall.   Today I share an article by Chad Livengood of Crain's Detroit Business titled, "Shovel-ready state? Push on for site-prep money after Ford plants head south."    It really speaks to the fact that this is not a well polished organized effort.  Let's steer this ship in a new direction and create the Kalamazoo River Recreational Area!    The park would increase tourism, quality of life, improve the environment, and also increase jobs in the quiet sports sector (cycling, rollerblading, horseback riding, kayaking). The use of this property aligns with Historic Marshall.     

You may write or contact Chad, Livengood, Senior editor of Crain's Detroit Business.
[email protected]
313-446-1654
​

​Dear Governor Whitmer,
The residents of Marshall don't want an industrial Megasite!  We want recreational lands like those afforded to residents in other parts of the state!!   Use state funds to make the “Michigan Megasite” Michigan's 105th State Park and the ONLY State Park in Calhoun County, an area of nearly 140,000 people! 

The photos below are images from your proposed “Megasite”  They are not vacant lands but include historic farmsteads, residential homes, agricultural lands and scenic natural areas along TWO miles of the Kalamazoo River.   These areas provide critical habitat for wildlife and help to offset carbon emissions from cars traveling on I-94 and I-69.  This is NO place for an industrial park.  The Kalamazoo River Recreational Area would be easily accessible to the residents of Marshall via a two mile foot/bike path that runs from the center of Marshall to the Recreational Area.   This new park could include trails for horse back riding, hiking, biking, community garden space, farm interpretive center, and low impact camp sites.   We need to encourage residents to seek out these natural spaces so that the next generation will learn to protect it!   Stop urban Sprawl, protect historic Marshall and promote Marshall's rural charm by establishing the Kalamazoo River Recreational Area!!!     

Here's a map of the Marshall Mega-site as depicted by the company Burns-McDonnell.  First, Let me comment that the road depicted as I-94, is NOT I-94, but Michigan Avenue.  I-94 is located to the North of this image.  That mistake corrected, the map is an accurate depiction of the area showing the red outline of the Mega-Site.  You'll notice the white dotted line of the working railroad tracks (one of the selling points for the Megasite). What is apparent is the number of acres of the Megasite which are located to the South of the tracks and between the Kalamazoo River.  This land mass is substantial, perhaps as much as 200-300 acres of the Michigan Megasite.   I know roughly 45 acres of the 300 acres of Riverside farm is comprised of this area along the river.   So in fact, the Marshall Megasite is in reality only 1300 usable acres.   You'll also notice the many subdivisions that eat into the Marshall Megasite with "No option to buy parcels".   Why would these residents want to sell?  Living in this rural country setting is ideal for residents, especially located close to Marshall.   It's a way of life many people don't want to give up, no matter what the state offers. 

Jobs, jobs, jobs for Michiganders!! That's why Gretchen Whitmer, the MEDC and the Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance all declare we must  turn 1,700 acres of prime agricultural land (currently farmed) into a mega industrial site.  If that is their intent, employing Michiganders, then why has the hired the Kansas City, Missouri based company, Burns and McDonnell, to do site testing and planning?   Surely there are Michigan based companies who can do this work?

On the company website, they state that, "We design and build the tangible and intangible, everything you see (and don’t see) that helps our cities thrive. We’ve worked relentlessly to make our clients and our communities successful since 1898, because we know safe, essential infrastructure is the foundation of a flourishing society."

The company even shares with potential clients on how to obtain government grants to fund their projects.   Is the tail wagging the dog?   How did this relationship with MAEDA and the State of Michigan come to fruition?   
"
Our family first became aware of this company when they were given permission to conduct environmental testing on our farm.  To my mother's credit she asked who was the contractor and where they were based.  We were surprised that this work was being conducted by an out-of-state company.   

The company also shares on its website that "From investigations and remediation to compliance and permitting, we help determine your most effective and cost-efficient environmental solutions."

Who stands to gain the most in the creation of the Marshall Megasite?  We've already determined that the residents of Marshall A. Don't know about it or B. Are apposed to the huge industrial park at their doorstep.   If this is NOT being pushed by the residents of Marshall, why is it being pushed by MAEDA?    Why has the Marshall Area Economic Development Corporation kept the "Marshall Megasite" a secret in the last 10 years?   Only recently, and in the attempt to attract purchasers, has MAEDA talked about this site at all.  Perhaps James Durian, CEO of MAEDA has spearheaded the promotion of the Megasite.  Durian was hired in 2020, during the height of the COVID pandemic to oversea the "Megasite".   It is telling that MAEDA had to hire someone to sell the site who lives one hour away in Mason, a commuter, who doesn't have to answer to Marshallites once he sells out their quaint historic town.  

Michigan is second only to California in the diversity of agricultural groups grown.  Michigan should be take this fact to heart when it considers turning productive farmland into industrial and manufacturing sites.   Farmland in California is continuing to burn up, dry up and flood as a result of global warming.  Michigan is feeling the same effects yet our location to the Great Lakes helps to stabilize some of these weather affects.   Fortunately, for Michigan we are located next to the worlds largest supply of fresh water. We are poised to be the breadbasket of the world. 

This is from the MEDC's own website "Farms and food-processing companies throughout the state generate and grow essential products, creating tens of thousands of jobs. In fact, Michigan’s food and agriculture industry contributes upward of $104.7 billion to the state’s economy. Michigan also offers access to a vast and efficient supply chain and logistics system, providing a cost-effective distribution throughout the Midwest, country and across the globe. Thanks to its agricultural diversity, business climate and hardworking farmers, Michigan’s agribusiness industry has a hand in feeding the world."


So why, when Michigan is poised to dominate the agricultural market, is the state pushing to destroy agriculture?   We are seeing the rapid rise in huge solar and wind farms and Mega Sites throughout Central lower Michigan.  The MEDC's plan is short-sided, does not serve the interests of its residents, and in fact will increase the effects of global warming as natural areas continue to be destroyed.    Here's the link to the recent release from the MEDC - claiming that Michigan will dominate the U.S. Battery manufacturing.  And why exactly is this a good thing?    

State and local bureaucrats are stating that they want to put Michigan back on the manufacturing map.  Marshall, Michigan is already on the AGRICULTURAL MAP, the center of prime agricultural land.  That is one reason why Marshall Michigan is home to the longest running county fair in Michigan, the Calhoun County Fair. The fair is held annually in downtown Marshall, a small agricultural community settled in 1832. The town is known for its historic homes and quaint downtown.  Marshall has the largest historic district in the United States! (small urban category). The proposed "Marshall Megasite" will destroy the very character which attracts visitors from across the state and from industrial centers such as Chicago and Detroit.   

It's evident that the State of Michigan, town officials and a bureaucrats with Choose Marshall and the Marshall Economic Development Alliance, do not have Marshall's interest when promoting this site.  Save Historic Marshall!! Stop the Michigan Megasite and preserve our way of life.  

0From the Ad-visor &Chronicle- April 16, 2022 – Page 7


The following letter to the editor from Laura Willard appeared in the Ad-visor &Chronicle- April 16, 2022 – Page 7.     Laura has several good points but sadly she is woefully misinformed as the State is not trying to attract a manufacture to employ 1,000 people but more than 5,000!!   Not only will C Drive North and 13 Mile road residents be forced to move, but so will residents along Michigan Avenue.  The proposed megasites is over 5 miles long!   This impacts the entire community.  A manufacturing plant employing 5,000 people would bring 300,000 more residents to this small community.  And to Laura's point, local businesses can not find the employees to work in their stores and businesses now!  It will necessitate moving 300,000 people to our community! We don't want this!   Maybe these companies should set up business in Mexico which is full of refugees needing employment!!  Because the workers are NOT here!. 

Below is the Letter:
“Join me in asking our town leaders to be more transparent”

To the Editor:

It has been brought to my attention that a large number of Marshall Township and city of Marshall residents do not know that the city of Marshall is seriously considering the creation of the Marshall Mega-site, a 1,600-acre project to create an industrial complex.

The Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance (MAEDA) is currently trying to secure land for purchase along C drive and 13 Mile road. They would bulldoze a peaceful area to create a factory on the the banks of the Kalamazoo River, only 12 years after the Enbridge Oil Spill that devastated the area. For myself and others in the area, we would lose our quiet way of life that we have been fortunate to have for over 20 years. 

There are two glaring issues with this development in my opinion:

1. There is not enough housing in Marshall for the 1,000-plus workers they want to secure. Due to the increase of truck and train traffic, I predict that Marshall could lose its quiet , historic, small -town appeal. This could lessen tourism and the revenue for small business downtown.

2. From what I can tell, the city of Marshal has not done its due diligence to inform the town (except for one post in 2018) about its interest in this development and it seems as though it does not want input from Marshall citizens. This is a major proposition that will uproot families from their homes that exist along C Drive and 13 Mile and place strain on the Marshall workforce, where current businesses can't get people to work even with the competitive pay. Houses on the outskirts fo the proposed site. (Bentley Blvd in Marshall Township for example) will likely experience a decrease in resale value and be stuck with a factory in their backyard.

Please be aware of these changes and join me in asking our town leaders to be more transparent when moving along with huge economic decisions that the citizens may disagree with.  

For information from the site, please go to : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bgd2cKgh4vs for a short video from the Michigan Economic DevelopenttCorporation. 
Laura Willard, Ceresco