Obama visit 'helps put Holland on map'

HOLLAND, Mich. (WOOD) - President Barack Obama will travel to Holland on Thursday for the groundbreaking of a plant that will produce battery cells for electric vehicles.

Obama will attend the event at Compact Power Inc., which is a subsidiary of LG Chem.

A $151 million grant was awarded to the plant in August 2009. As part of the Recovery Act, the funding is meant to be used to boost the production of advanced batteries and vehicles. According to the White House, those funds were more than matched by the company.

More than 200 people are expected to attend the groundbreaking ceremony, including Ruth Corlett, a 91-year-old lifelong Democrat.

She and her husband's families have spent every summer on Lake Michigan's Douglas shores for more than 100 years.

She has black-and-white photos showing those distant relatives from decades ago, lining the walls of her family's summer home.

After generations of her family members working in the auto business, she is excited her family will see Obama speak Thursday, Corlett told 24 Hour News 8 on Wednesday -- especially at an event celebrating the future of the auto industry.

"I think it's wonderful publicity for them -- marvelous publicity for them," she said. "Jeez Louise, it couldn't be better. I can't remember a celebrity much bigger than the President of the United States spending time here, or in Holland at all."

The plant eventually will produce advanced battery cells for cars such as the Chevy Volt and the electric Ford Focus. When complete, it is expected to bring and save hundreds of jobs in West Michigan.

"It's very exciting," Corlett said. "It kind of helps put Holland on the map as it were."

She believes the visit will be good for West Michigan regardless of political views.

"It hasn't anything to do with politics ... Democrat, Republican, Independent," Corlett said. "It's just -- Holland has a sitting president coming to town, and that's pretty special."

Work already has started on the site at East 48th near Waverly, but the official groundbreaking will take place with Obama in attendance.