Taxpayer-Funded Megasite Push Ramps Up—School Demolition Planned Despite No Signed Deal with Buyer

Taxpayers are footing the bill as Michigan demolishes homes and a fully renovated school—without any confirmed company lined up to move in.

UPDATE: On July 16, Sandisk officially backed out of plans to move into Michigan’s Mega Site, leaving the state without a buyer—and taxpayers on the hook for $259 million in wasted investments.

Mundy Township, Michigan resident Don Ludwig is sounding the alarm over what he calls a reckless and secretive development project that’s transforming his quiet Genesee County neighborhood into a construction zone—with no confirmed buyer in sight.

At the center of the controversy is a 1,300-acre "mega-site" being prepared for a future industrial development. Backed by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), the project has already received approximately $259 million in taxpayer funds to purchase land, demolish homes, and prepare infrastructure for a still-unnamed company.

“They’ve already started tearing down homes, and nobody knows who’s moving in,” said Ludwig. “It’s like putting the cart before the horse. They’re destroying neighborhoods for a buyer that might never come.”

Ludwig, who lives just seven houses down from one of the demolition sites, says the situation escalated when he learned that Morris Elementary School—home to over 450 students—might also be sold and demolished. In 2018 a bond was passed which allowed for $3 million in upgrades to the school. At this time there was no discussion of a Mega Site.

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“They just passed another bond in November for more improvements. Why sink millions into a school only to sell it off and possibly bulldoze it?” he asked.

The Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance is overseeing the land development, but home purchases are being conducted through Maple Hill LLC, a private entity Ludwig says is funded by public dollars. Residents who sell their homes are required to sign non-disclosure agreements, raising concerns about transparency.

Ludwig also raised questions about a potential conflict of interest involving the school district’s business manager, who he says is also his next-door neighbor and recently sold her home as part of the development.

“Anyone with a conflict of interest should excuse themselves from decisions like this,” Ludwig said. “That’s just common sense.”

The school will be holding an informational meeting Thursday July 17 at the Swartz Creek Performing Arts Center.

“It’s not about being anti-development,” Ludwig clarified. “It’s about doing it right. Get the company first. Let them pay for the site. Don’t use our tax dollars to gamble on a deal that might never happen.”

Ludwig fears that, like past failed projects, this one could leave the community with nothing more than vacant lots, broken promises, and taxpayer debt.

“They say it’ll bring jobs,” he said. “But what if it doesn’t? Then we’ve torn down homes, schools, and trees for nothing. And the next generation is stuck paying the price.”

It has been annonced the pricetag to sell the school is $40 million.

Why demolish a school when no company is committed to the Mega Site? Taxpayers across Michigan are saying no.