Rich Studley, former President and CEO of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, has raised concerns about the leadership of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). He alleged that under its current executive team, there has been environmental damage, dishonesty, and financial mismanagement. These remarks were made on the social media platform X.
“CEO Quentin Messer and a 20 member Executive Committee are responsible for overall management & control of the MEDC,” said Studley. “Their negligence allowed: the Ford/CATL project to pollute the Kalamazoo River. a VP to lie about Gotion’s ties to China. and the $20M Beydoun boondoggle.”
In June 2025, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office executed search warrants at the MEDC headquarters and a private residence linked to a controversial $20 million grant. This action was part of an ongoing investigation into the agency’s economic development grants, focusing on oversight and potential misuse of funds. The raid highlighted continued scrutiny of the MEDC’s executive committee and its management practices.
The Ford Motor Co.’s BlueOval electric vehicle battery plant in Marshall, Michigan, has faced criticism for repeated sediment runoff into the Kalamazoo River. According to The Midwesterner, the Kalamazoo River Watershed Council expressed concerns about construction at this 1.8 million-square-foot facility. Additionally, locals have filed a lawsuit attempting to halt development due to environmental issues affecting the river ecosystem.
In December 2023, the Center for Economic Accountability labeled Michigan’s $1.75 billion in planned subsidies for an electric vehicle battery plant operated by a joint venture between Ford Motor Company and Chinese firm CATL as America’s “Worst Economic Development Deal of the Year.” This award recognizes state or municipal government subsidies that represent significant taxpayer fund waste. The designation has fueled debates over the ethical and financial implications of such large-scale economic development projects.
Studley served as President and CEO of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, where he oversaw all Chamber programs including legislative and political action initiatives. According to the Mackinac Center, Studley played a key role in advocating for business interests in Michigan and was a notable figure in discussions on economic development within the state. His leadership at the Chamber established him as an influential voice on issues impacting Michigan’s business community.
