Big Plans threatened for Craft Centre

General Motors Corp. is planning to re-start construction on its Delta Township, MI, assembly plant, industry sources tell WAW, but objections from a neighborhood association might delay work at the nearby Craft Centre that is scheduled to build the Chevy SSR and up to three more vehicles. Residents who live near the Craft Centre aren't happy with plans to increase production and double emissions, arguing they are subject to enough air pollution courtesy of GM facilities. GM counters it has reduced emissions targets twice for the Craft Centre, and combined emissions with the other GM facilities still wouldn't pose a health risk. GM's latest offer includes lowering maximum emissions to 270 tons by reducing future Craft Centre annual output from 72,000 units to 55,000. But that hasn't appeased residents, whose protests have delayed GM's schedule by several weeks — SSR output was slated to begin in late 2002.