W.K. Kellogg Foundation
Ford’s proposed $2.5 billion electric vehicle battery plant in nearby Marshall spurred Battle Creek to prepare for growth and address housing challenges. HR&A delivered actionable housing strategies for the City, Battle Creek Unlimited, and the WK Kellogg Foundation through a Housing Framework and Action Plan that prioritized investments and programs to meet current and future demand.
Following initial work to prepare a citywide economic development framework and then a housing framework, the Leadership Team reengaged HR&A in 2023 to prepare a comprehensive Housing Action Plan prioritizing investments to meet identified housing needs and align programs and policies. HR&A examined the potential number of jobs that would be created by Ford’s proposed battery plant, as well as the share of employees likely to enter Battle Creek’s housing market and their impact on existing housing needs. Through in-depth stakeholder interviews, site assessment analysis, financial feasibility studies, and investigation of housing delivery ecosystem capacities, HR&A identified priority programs and policies that could best address the community’s needs for both economic growth and quality accessible housing in both the near- and longer-term
The Housing Action Plan, completed in March 2024, provides Battle Creek partners with clear implementation pathways. This strategic framework positions the city to meet current community needs while building capacity to accommodate workforce growth from Ford plant investments, advancing Battle Creek’s economic development goals through coordinated housing strategies that support existing residents and anticipated population growth.
