Statements on Gotion’s Transformational Investment Advancing in Michigan

Today, the Michigan Legislature delivered final vote to approve a generational investment by Gotion, Inc. in Mecosta County that will create jobs, support entrepreneurial growth and strengthen Ferris State’s engineering program among other benefits thereby further securing Michigan’s leadership in mobility and EV manufacturing. In response, MEDC CEO Quentin L. Messer, Jr. issued the following statement:

“We appreciate the support of our legislative partners. Team Michigan is excited for the opportunities that these good-paying jobs, new customers and increased economic vitality accompanying this historic investment will deliver in Mecosta County and across Northern Michigan.

“We are grateful for our partners at The Right Place, Mecosta County, Green Charter Township, Ferris State University and Consumers Energy for their collaboration in making this investment a reality. We remain fully committed to this project’s success including rigorously conducting all due diligence and compliance required moving forward. Work remains and we are optimistic for Michigan’s continued preeminence in EV and all other forms of mobility.”

Statement from Dr. Bill Pink, President, Ferris State University
“As always, Ferris State University has been proud to partner with business and industry to provide for their needs, and in the process, pave great pathways for our students to living wage career paths. The electric vehicle battery manufacturing industry is no exception, and we will continue to partner with companies like Gotion who are doing this work in order to keep Michigan at the forefront of the automobile industry, and our education as relevant as possible. We’ve done it for over 135 years, and will continue to do so. We will continue to leverage Ferris’ quality of instruction and resources to power Michigan’s role in the EV sector into the future.”

Statement from Randy Thelen, President and CEO, The Right Place, Inc.
“We are excited to see this a once-in-a-century opportunity for the Big Rapids area moving forward. The Gotion facility will bring thousands of good-paying jobs to the community and propel the region into the forefront of EV manufacturing. We look forward to working collaboratively with state and local leaders as this incredible opportunity becomes a reality.”

Project Overview:
Approved in October 2022, Gotion plans to construct a new battery component manufacturing facility in Mecosta County, creating 2,350 good-paying American jobs and generating an investment of more than $2.3 billion in the Northern Michigan region. This global battery company’s investment will represent the largest economic development project in Northern Michigan in state history.

Moving forward, Gotion will be partnering with Ferris State University to assist with the talent recruitment and training the company will need to place 2,350 well-paying jobs in Mecosta County. The average hourly wage for the Gotion project is $29.42 which is well above county ALICE target wage of $17.99.

With the future of mobility driven by EV technology and batteries, and with investments like Gotion’s coming to life in Mecosta County and all around the state, Michigan will lead the next generation of this vital industry. As the largest project this far north in Michigan history, Gotion’s investment will mean the creation of new career pathways, new opportunities for young talent and a new pipeline that encourages talented young people who have training and skills to stay in Northern Michigan communities. Mecosta County is additionally surrounded by counties with some of the highest poverty rates in the state according to a University of Michigan report. Transformational investments like Gotion’s offer an important path forward to reverse population trends and Team Michigan welcomes the talent, disruptors and innovators of tomorrow to build their future here in our great state.

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.