A Michigan community has successfully prevented a Chinese energy company, Gotion, from purchasing farmland in Green Charter Township.
The company, backed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), abandoned the purchase due to local opposition but is proceeding with an EV battery factory project on previously acquired land.
The Biden administration approved the factory project after a national security review.
Local residents are determined to continue opposing the company’s presence, viewing it as a threat to their community.
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Residents of a Michigan community have achieved a significant victory by successfully blocking the latest attempt by a Chinese energy company, Gotion, to acquire parcels of farmland in Green Charter Township.
The community’s efforts have been spearheaded by local activist Lori Brock, who stated on “Fox & Friends First” that their victory was a result of contacting the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) after receiving no support from the state of Michigan.
Brock noted that the EPA’s intervention led to the reclamation of some of the land that Gotion had intended to purchase.
Although Gotion has abandoned its farmland purchase due to the community’s outcry, the company is still advancing its plans to establish an electric vehicle (EV) battery factory on several hundred acres of land it had previously acquired in Mecosta County.
This development has been given the green light by the Biden administration, which granted approval in June following an extended national security review.
Local residents, however, are determined to maintain their opposition to Gotion’s presence. Lori Brock emphasized that the community will persist in its efforts to prevent the company from establishing itself in the area, reflecting the sentiment of wanting to safeguard their community from potential negative impacts.
Jeff Thorne, another resident involved in the resistance, highlighted the community’s victory as a demonstration of the “American way.” He credited their success to unity in pursuing a common cause and steadfastly voicing their concerns. Thorne underlined the importance of having a say in local matters and shaping the environment they live in.
The sentiment of opposition is echoed by Tudor Dixon, a former Michigan Republican gubernatorial candidate.
Dixon criticized the Biden administration for allowing Gotion’s presence in the U.S. and highlighted the involvement of the Democrat governor in courting the company.
She expressed concern about a lack of transparency, citing non-disclosure agreements surrounding the issue and media coverage that ultimately empowered residents to halt the development.
Dixon drew attention to the absence of an environmental review for Gotion’s operations and highlighted ties between the company and the Chinese Communist Party.
She applauded the residents’ involvement in challenging the township board’s intentions to rezone the property, emphasizing that informed citizens were able to demand a referendum and local vote on the matter.
This struggle against Gotion’s expansion coincides with growing concerns about Chinese ownership of U.S. property.
Chinese firms currently own nearly 400,000 acres of American farmland, with an estimated value exceeding $2 billion.
Notably, certain states, such as Texas, have a higher concentration of Chinese-owned land, with over 50,000 acres falling under their ownership.
John Boyd, Jr., the president of the National Black Farmers Association, characterized the Chinese acquisition of American farmland as a “national disgrace.”
Boyd emphasized that such acquisitions undermine American farmers’ access to valuable farmland and pose a national security risk.
He criticized the current administration for not taking a stronger stance against this trend, pointing out the significance of intellectual property and food security.
Boyd revealed that he had reached out to President Biden to discuss the issue, yet his offer for a meeting remains unanswered.
In conclusion, the Michigan community’s success in opposing Gotion’s farmland purchase while maintaining skepticism about its EV battery factory project underscores the concerns surrounding Chinese ownership of U.S. property.
The resistance of local residents aligns with conservative values of protecting national security, local autonomy, and transparency in governmental decisions.
