FLINT, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – A $55 million megasite project in Genesee County crashed and burned over the summer on Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s watch, but residents there say demolition of the site continues.

That’s why State Rep. Steve Carra (R-Three Rivers) is demanding answers. He serves as the chair of the House Subcommittee on Corporate Subsidies and State Investments. He wrote a letter to the Flint and Genesee Economic Alliance on Wednesday and advocated for residents, asking why demolition is still underway.

MORE NEWS: The ‘Illegal’ in ‘Illegal Alien’ is Justified

SanDisk marked the third company to pull out of the Mundy Township megasite area. That boondoggle leaves the 1,300 acres of land near the Flint Bishop International Airport with a big question mark regarding its future, and 200 homes on schedule to be razed. Michigan News Source reached out to Rep. Carra to clarify why the demolition is continuing despite a potential project being in limbo. Rep. Carra told Michigan News Source why demolition is continuing. “Last term the state disbursed Strategic Site Readiness Program (SSRP) money to Flint and Genesee Economic Alliance (FGEA) via SOAR funding through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).”

That is problematic since the MEDC is under investigation by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel for allegedly siphoning taxpayer money through the legislature in 2022 and giving it to a Democratic donor friend of Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Fay Beydoun’s now defunct nonprofit used the money to pay for her $500,000 annual salary, a $4,500 coffee maker, and trips. Last month, Carra and his Republican colleagues introduced legislation to abolish the MEDC.

Since SanDisk is the third company to pass on the project, it begs the question: is it three strikes and you’re out, or the third time is the charm? Rep. Carra said, “It is currently unclear if another entity is lined up to benefit from this taxpayer-funded project. However, FGEA was clear in its testimony before the Oversight Subcommittee on Corporate Subsidies and State Investments that they will continue to try to bribe corporations with a taxpayer funded giveaway.”

Michigan News Source reached out to the FGEA. Executive director Tyler Rossmaessler said their work is consistent with efforts by the Trump administration and politicians on both sides of the aisle. “Research shows advanced manufacturers are looking for sites that are on at least 1,000 acres. Our team has acquired more than 1,300 acres to create a turnkey site for an advanced manufacturer because of the extraordinary interest we have received from dozens of local property owners who see this potential project as a win-win for our community, county and entire region. This is the best site in North America for an advanced manufacturer to locate, period.

In the meantime, Carra said it’s worth noting that the SanDisk deal hinged on incentives both local, state, and federal levels of government. He called it “asinine” to demolish homes without a commitment from all involved.  “Although SSRP money was disbursed, site readiness efforts should be halted because the basis of this project is transferring money from the hardworking people of Michigan to the politically connected without certainty or clarity.”