Door opens gain for electric vehicle battery plant

BY STAN MADDUX

Tax abatement has been approved for a proposed electric vehicle battery making plant that would employ a projected 1,600 people outside New Carlisle.

$24 an hour.

The goal is for the plant to be operating in 2026.

City Of New Buffalo 2022 Water Quality Report

Please be advised that the 2022 Water Quality Report is available online at www. cityofnewbuffalo.org/ documents/water-qualityreport-2022/

A paper copy will not be mailed unless requested by calling City Hall at 269-4691500.

The proposed budget will be adopted at the Village of Michiana Council Meeting immediately following the public hearing. Action on the 2023 millage will also be taken at that meeting.

A copy of the proposed budget is available for public at the Village of Michiana Village Hall, 4000 Cherokee Drive, New Buffalo, MI 49117.

It’s now up to General Motors and Samsung to decide whether to go ahead with the estimated $3.5 billion investment.

“We’re just kind of in a waiting game,” said St. Joseph County Economic Development Corporation Director Bill Schalliol.

The St. Joseph County Council on May 23 voted unanimously in favor of tax abatement on the development proposed on a close to 700 acre site on Indiana 2 in Olive Township.

Schalliol said that is the same site General Motors and LG Energy Solution single out last year for building an over $2 million dollar electric vehicle battery making operation with a projected similar sized workforce.

“We believe it’ll be a pretty popular place to apply and work when they get up and running,” he said.

Bert Cook, executive director of the La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership, said a plant that size would have a positive impact on the community located about 20 miles west of the site.

He said how much of an impact is difficult to predict but there would be La Porte residents working there and bringing more money back for the local economy if they’re paid more than they’re making currently.

“I think those would be terrific wages for individuals and that would represent great opportunity for many people here,” he said.

VILLAGE OF MICHIANA BERRIEN COUNTY, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF SPECIAL PUBLIC HEARINGON THE PROPOSED 2023-2024 FISCAL YEAR MILLAGE & BUDGET

The Village of Michiana will hold a public hearing on the proposed 2023-2024 fiscal year budget and the proposed millage rates for 2023 on Friday, June 9, 2023 at 12:45 p.m. EST at the Village of Michiana Village Hall, 4000 Cherokee Drive, New Buffalo, MI 49117.

THE PROPERTY TAX MILLAGE RATE PROPOSED TO BE LEVIED TO SUPPORT THE PROPOSED BUDGET WILL BE A SUBJECT OF THIS HEARING. THE PROPOSED MILLAGE RATES

This notice is posted in compliance with the Open Meetings Act, Public Act 267 of 1976, as amended, (MCL 41.72a(2)(3)) and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Village of Michiana by writing or calling the following: Village of Michiana, 4000 Cherokee Drive, New Buffalo, Michigan, 49117, 269-469-4600.

The taxing unit publishing this notice and identified below has complete authority to establish the number of mills to be levied from within its authorized millage rate

THIS NOTICE IS PUBLISHED BY THE: VILLAGE OF MICHIANA BOARD

4000 CHEROKEE DRIVE NEW BUFFALO, MI 49117

269-469-4600

The plans were scrapped when LG Energy Solution broke away from the partnership but later revised when General Motors and Samsung joined hands to construct a facility to make batteries for electric vehicles.

To his knowledge, Schalliol said the New Carlisle area site consisting of all farmland is the only location being looked at for the proposed three million square foot development about four miles southeast of New Carlisle.

“We’re just waiting for them to finalize the decision. We anticipate that will happen here in the next month or so,” he said.

If constructed, Schalliol said he doesn’t expect any problems with finding enough workers despite the tight labor market, citing a development agreement that calls for the average salary at the plant to be no less than

Cook said additional businesses like suppliers to the plant would likely go up near the facility, creating more jobs for residents in the area.

“It’s a big project for sure. Absolutely,” he said.

Schalliol said purchase agreements have been struck with all of the present land owners who agreed not to farm this year.

General Motors and Samsung want to begin construction before the end of the year and don’t want to compensate the farmers for their losses if dirt started being moved prior to the fall harvest.

“If they choose to move forward they can without having to buy out crops or anything,” he said.

DEATH NOTICES:

THREE OAKS – Dallas Trine, 79, of Sawyer, died Sunday, June 4, 2023. Arrangements are pending at Wagner Family Funerals Pobocik Chapel, Three Oaks.

ARIES MARCH 21—APRIL 19