(Community Matters 62) Economist: Multiplier, Other Variables will Determine ROI on BlueOval Subsidies

The $1.7 billion in state and local incentives Ford Motor Company was initially promised for the Marshall, Michigan BlueOval EV battery production facility has left many folks uncertain, at least, about the subsidies.Some say it's the cost of being competitive and keeping high-paying manufacturing jobs in Michigan. Others worry about how the subsidies will be paid for in the longrun - and what kind of precedent it sets.Dr. Tim Bartik, senior economist at the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research tends to land on the favorable side after his numbers-crunching analysis. Bartik visits with Community Matters and elaborates on his analysis which, he says, shows the plant "should yield solid returns" - but also relies on some variables. Episode ResourcesUpjohn Institute: Ford Battery Plant Michigan Should Yield Solid ReturnsBlueOval Links:BlueOval Battery Park Michigan websiteFord Careers websiteMarshall, Michigan websiteMarshall Township,  Michigan websiteFord Motor Company press release about BlueOval Battery Park MichiganChoose Marshall-MAEDA websiteCATL websitePA 425 Conditional Land Use Transfer ExplainedCommittee for Marshall – Not the Megasite websiteCommittee for Marshall – Not the Megasite Facebook pageOther battery plant and Community Matters episodesABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERSFormer 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 at 8:00 AM and PM Eastern on WBCK-FM (95.3) and anytime at battlecreekpodcast.com.Community Matters is sponsored by Lakeview Ford Lincoln and produced by Livemic Communications.