Ford Motor Co. is "pausing work" on a multibillion dollar electric vehicle battery plant that garnered substantial praise from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and others but prompted outcries from local residents.

“We’re pausing work and limiting spending on construction on the Marshall site, effective today, until we’re confident about our ability to competitively operate the plant," Ford spokesman T.R. Reid told the Detroit Free Press on Monday.

"We haven’t made any final decision about the planned investment there."

Last year, Whitmer and Ford CEO Jim Farley announced a plan to invest $3.5 billion and create 2,500 jobs at the site, located just outside Marshall, a town a few miles east of Battle Creek. As part of the deal, Whitmer, state lawmakers and local officials agreed to provide the automaker a combined $1.7 billion in public subsidies.