Gotion Inc. is gearing up to make its first hires around Big Rapids, Mich., for a $2.4 billion electric vehicle battery parts plant that executives hope will remain non-unionized. The project is moving forward following the Chinese company's acquisition of 270 acres of land for the factory in Green Township and approval from company Chairman Li Zhen, who toured the site a few weeks ago with board members and expressed concerns over pushback to the plant. "Certainly they had some questions," said Chuck Thelen, executive at Gotion tasked with moving the plant in Michigan forward. "When it gets to national news, it even makes its way back to Germany and China. So, they were a little concerned." Gotion, whose largest shareholders are Volkswagen and Zhen, a Chinese national, has been at the center of controversy , from locals concerned over environmental pollution to politicians raising red flags over national security. Thelen said he answered the questions fr