First Aired July 15, 2023

Rep. Sarah Lightner (R-Springport) of Michigan's 45th House District joins Community Matters to discuss a number of current events. First, Lightner offers her perspective after having voted "no" on the incentive package for the proposed Ford BlueOval Battery Park Michigan at the Marshall Megasite.

Lightner also discusses the recent state budget process, as the ranking Republican on the House Appropriations Committee - as well as participation on the Juvenile Justice Task Force.

Episode Resources

Rep. Sarah Lightner's website
House GOP release: Rep. Lightner Issues Statement in Support of 2023-2024 State Budget
Bridge Michigan: Michigan lawmakers clear $1.3B spending bill with $630M for Ford EV battery plant

BlueOval Episode Resources

Michigan website
Ford Careers website
Marshall, Michigan website
Marshall Township,  Michigan website
Ford Motor Company press release about BlueOval Battery Park Michigan
Choose Marshall-MAEDA website
CATL website
PA 425 Conditional Land Use Transfer Explained
Committee for Marshall – Not the Megasite website
Committee for Marshall – Not the Megasite Facebook page
Other battery plant and Community Matters episodes

ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS

Former WBCK Morning Show host Richard Piet (2014-2017) returns to host Community Matters, an interview program focused on community leaders and newsmakers in and around Battle Creek. Community Matters is heard Saturdays, 8-8:30 AM Eastern on WBCK-FM (95.3) and anytime at battlecreekpodcast.com.

Community Matters is sponsored by Lakeview Ford Lincoln and produced by Livemic Communications.