Up First from NPR Chinese manufacturing meets Small Town, USA
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Jul 13, 2025 
In this engaging discussion, Alexi Horowitz-Gazi, co-host of the Planet Money podcast, shares insights on the controversial arrival of a Chinese battery factory in Green Charter Township, Michigan. He explores the clash between global manufacturing and small-town values, revealing the community's mixed reactions. Concerns over environmental impacts and job quality ignite intense political debates, leading to significant turmoil and division among residents. The narrative highlights the tension between economic opportunity and local identity in contemporary America.
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Jim Chapman's Small Town Journey
- Jim Chapman wore many community hats including police officer and EMT before becoming township supervisor.
- He saw the battery factory as a miracle chance to revive his struggling town.
China's EV Strategy Meets US Policy
- China rapidly grew its EV industry through top-down government policy and subsidies.
- Goshen built a factory in the US to bypass tariffs and tap into the 'Made in America' trend.
Secret Flyers Spark Local Uproar
- Locals learned about the Goshen battery factory through anonymous flyers sparking large angry public meetings.
- Many residents felt blindsided and ignored by their local government.