Planning Commission takes step to prep land for massive new manufacturing project near Flint

The Mundy Township Planning Commission is clearing the way for what could become one of Michigan’s largest manufacturing operations—with reports calling for a $55 billion investment that will create up to 10,000 new jobs. 

MICHIGAN—A vote this week at the Mundy Township Planning Commission is set to help advance ongoing plans for a massive new manufacturing facility in Genesee County.

Members of the Planning Commission on Tuesday reportedly approved a natural resources analysis to allow the clearing of about 1,200 acres of land in Mundy Township near the Bishop International Airport, which developers aim to see transformed into a $55 billion advanced manufacturing facility that could employ more than 10,000 workers across the Flint region.

Tyler Rossmaessler, the executive director of the Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance—the group spearheading the redevelopment project—reportedly told commissioners that a thoughtful plan is in place for clearing the trees on the rural, mostly vacant stretch of agricultural property.

“We are very supportive of keeping our land, air, water, clean and our plan takes those things into consideration and our plan meets and exceeds the township’s requirements,” he said.

What’s coming to Mundy Township?

In recent years, officials at the Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance have contemplated a range of development plans for the rural stretch of land in Mundy Township—including a semiconductor microchip manufacturer to help support the automotive industry in Michigan. 

The concept—known formally as the Advanced Manufacturing District—has been in the works for several months, and involves buying up a large chunk of land near Flint, preparing it for redevelopment, and then enticing a major manufacturer (with tax incentives) who would invest billions of their own dollars, set up shop on the land, and create thousands of new jobs.

While there’s been some local resistance to the project, many union workers and community leaders have voiced support for the plan, and state lawmakers approved $250 million in grant funding to support the project this summer. 

Sources with knowledge of the project have said they expect the site to involve microchip manufacturing. Western Digital Technologies was recently identified as one of the potential firms that could be considering building a new manufacturing operation on the property.

But the plans aren’t final. 

Developers haven’t confirmed whether any manufacturers are actually interested in the property. State tax incentives needed to secure final financing for the project could also reportedly be a prime focus of the state Legislature’s lame duck session in the coming weeks.

During this week’s Planning Commission meeting, Rossmaessler was optimistic about the future of the project, telling officials that the redevelopment will change the trajectory of the community—namely by bringing in thousands of new jobs and boosting the local economy.

“We’re working really hard to market the Mundy site—another great opportunity for this community, an opportunity to create jobs, bring supply chains back, and provide opportunities for young people to grow here,” Rossmaessler told The ‘Gander last month.

If the project comes to fruition, it would mark the largest economic development in recent state history, perhaps ever, according to reports from Crain’s Detroit Business.

In addition to state incentives, the would-be project also reportedly hinges on securing billions of dollars in federal CHIPS and Science Act funding through the Biden-Harris administration.

The Biden-Harris administration could reportedly make a decision about that federal funding at any time—which could then trigger a final decision from a manufacturing company, followed by legislative action for state incentives, and finally, a sign-off from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

READ MORE: Job projections multiply for new manufacturing project in Genesee County

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