'BlueOval City' EV complex promises jobs but residents want more input

The rural landscape of West Tennessee is undergoing a massive change. Ford’s “BlueOval City” electric vehicle manufacturing complex spans six square miles and is expected to bring 6,000 jobs to the area. That kind of economic development would be the envy of many states, including Michigan, but some residents are asking Ford to adopt a community benefits agreement.

WDET received the following statement from Ford community relations director Gabby Bruno after recording this episode:

“Ford and Ford Philanthropy are committed to our community initiatives because we want residents in every community neighboring BlueOval City to benefit as the campus comes to life. I look forward to introducing our Good Neighbor Plan, developed with the help of resident input and the community leaders who make up our Equitable Growth Advisory Council.”

Hosted by Stephen Henderson, Created Equal is about the promise of opportunity and the challenge of inequality from the city that built America — Detroit.