Full Measure After Hours: Jobs vs. Foreign Ownership

Host: Sharyl Attkisson
Episode: After Hours: Jobs vs. Foreign Ownership (From the Archives)
Release Date: August 14, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of Full Measure After Hours, Sharyl Attkisson delves into a pressing national debate through the lens of a local Michigan story. The focus centers on Goshen Inc., a company poised to build a state-of-the-art factory in Green Charter Township, Michigan. Promising to invest billions and create over 2,000 jobs, the project is hailed as a potential economic lifeline for one of Michigan's poorest regions. However, it simultaneously ignites concerns over foreign ownership and national security risks, reflecting a larger conversation unfolding across the United States.

Overview of the Michigan Plant and Goshen Inc.

Sharyl Attkisson sets the stage by describing Green Charter Township, situated an hour north of Grand Rapids in one of Michigan's most economically challenged areas. The arrival of Goshen Inc., a subsidiary of Goshen High Tech based in China, aims to manufacture components for lithium carbonate electric car batteries. This development is seen as a double-edged sword, offering significant economic benefits while raising alarms about foreign influence and security implications.

Chuck Thalen's Support for the Plant

Chuck Thalen, the general manager of Goshen Inc., passionately advocates for the new factory, addressing concerns related to Chinese ownership and national security.

• Ownership Clarifications:

  • [02:27] Chuck Thalen: "Goshen Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Goshen High Tech, which is based out of China. Our ownership is comprised of stockholders, and VW is our largest stockholder."
  • [02:56] Chuck Thalen: "There are no political decisions made for business. The rules of every country where we're at just theirs tend to be a little stiffer, but they do not own or operate the company."

• Addressing Concerns:

  • Thalen dismisses claims of Communist Party involvement, stating, "I've never seen or heard any ideals expressed by the management or the people working in this company. So, no, it does not concern me." ([04:04])

• Economic Benefits:

  • Highlighting the dire economic situation, Thalen emphasizes, "The county is the third poorest in the state of Michigan. We're bringing better economic affluency with salaries starting at roughly $24.50 an hour, which far exceeds what you see in this area." ([05:52])

• Project Status and National Implications:

  • Thalen outlines the project's progress, mentioning ongoing groundwater studies and permit submissions. He underscores the national security vetting, stating, "We were voluntarily submitted for the CFIUS review. There were no negative findings." ([07:35])

• National Collaboration:

  • Emphasizing collaboration with U.S. institutions, Thalen notes, "We led a team which included companies like Stellantis, General Motors, Ford, as they're going through the battery development specifically for cathode material and electrolyte." ([08:34])

Bruce Borkovich's Opposition

Bruce Borkovich, a candidate for township supervisor, presents a contrasting viewpoint, focusing on national security and environmental concerns.

• Community Opposition:

  • Borkovich highlights overwhelming local resistance, stating, "In Green Charter Township, a survey was done. 77.7% of the people didn't want Goshen... at least 65 to 70% of the people don't want it." ([10:22])

• National Security Risks:

  • He raises alarms about potential threats, expressing, "The Chinese government... is a threat to our existence. If this plant is built, they are certain that it will be used to attack our cybersecurity and our intellectual property." ([10:34])

• Environmental Concerns:

  • Addressing environmental impacts, Borkovich remarks, "Several million square foot plant... point source pollution alone is considerable... everything that happens at a factory that size eventually washes off into storm sewers or just off paved areas and into our environment." ([12:04])

• Political Dynamics:

  • Criticizing local officials, he asserts, "Local elected officials who came down with political amnesia and decided they know what's good for me." ([10:22])
  • Borkovich also expresses frustration with state leadership, particularly Governor Whitmer, stating, "Governor Whitmer lock, stock and barrel. Sold her soul to the devil...” ([14:09])

• Predicting Project Outcome:

  • He anticipates resistance winning out, predicting, "They’re waiting for the local elections... I don’t think it’s a done deal." ([13:21])

Political Dynamics and Community Sentiment

The episode explores the intersection of local politics and community sentiment in the debate over Goshen Inc.'s plant.

• Partisan Lines:

  • Thalen observes, "It's basically 70% Republican, which is good because Republican nominee President Trump is inviting our company to localize in the state of Michigan." ([04:55])
  • However, he also notes that opposition isn't strictly along party lines, as both Republicans and Democrats support onshoring manufacturing.

• Community Voices:

  • Thalen recounts personal encounters, highlighting local support: "I met numerous times... somebody said, 'please don't give up on us. We really need this here.'" ([05:42])
  • Conversely, Borkovich emphasizes the majority opposition based on comprehensive surveys reflecting community preferences.

National Implications and Broader Context

Sharyl Attkisson connects the local Michigan story to a nationwide discourse on foreign investment and national security.

• Reflection of National Trends:

  • Thalen asserts, "It shows us that sometimes, like the election cycle that we're in, people get more hung up on politics than what's right for their community." ([07:35])
  • Borkovich indicates a growing national awareness, stating, "We're talking to people from all over the country who are digging in... people are waking up to this stuff and they're realizing what the dangers are." ([17:59])

• Presidential Impact:

  • Borkovich believes that a Trump presidency could bolster efforts to curb foreign influence, referencing, "President Trump would really drill down, take a look at this and listen to all the national security experts..." ([14:09])

• Expert Opinions:

  • Borkovich cites authority figures, including the former CIA director and the current FBI director, to substantiate security concerns, reinforcing the gravity of the issue beyond local apprehensions.

Conclusion

This episode of Full Measure After Hours encapsulates the tension between economic revitalization and national security within the framework of foreign-owned businesses in the U.S. Through the perspectives of Chuck Thalen and Bruce Borkovich, Sharyl Attkisson highlights the nuanced and often conflicting priorities that shape such debates. The Michigan plant by Goshen Inc. serves as a microcosm of a broader national conversation, reflecting the complexities of globalization, political polarization, and community agency in the modern economic landscape.

Note: This summary excludes promotional content and concluding remarks not related to the main discussion.