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Study being done to search for gravesite at site of Ford’s Blue Oval City

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Screenshot taken from Ford's 3D Fly Through of Blue Oval City.
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The Memphis Corps of Engineers is looking into what may be a former gravesite on part of the mega site of Ford’s Blue Oval City in West Tennessee. 

Scientists are conducting studies to see whether there are human remains in the area. Attorneys for the project shared an update at a joint legislative committee hearing on Tuesday.

“I’ve met with the consultant out of Memphis; we have walked those two areas,” said Clay Bright, legal counsel for the mega site. “That consultant didn’t see anything to him that would represent him thinking there’s graves there.”

The area being studied is a little less than two acres. Ford is leasing more than 3,000 acres on the mega site.

Ford is in the first phase of construction on the site, which broke ground earlier this year. That includes building an assembly plant for the Ford F-150 Lightning and a battery plant. Blue Oval City is set to be Ford’s largest auto production complex in the company’s history.

The $5.6 billion investment is projected to bring 6,000 jobs. Bright said the company hopes to start production by the beginning of 2025.

Blaise Gainey, Political Reporter

Blaise Gainey is the youngest of three siblings, husband and father of two. He previously held the State Government Reporter position for WFSU News in Tallahassee. He is from Apopka, Fla., and graduated from The School of Journalism at the Florida A&M University. He previously worked for The Florida Channel and WTXL-TV. He is excited to move to another capital and report on state government. In his spare time, he enjoys watching sports, outdoor activities and enjoying family time.

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