LANSING — The Michigan Economic Development Corp. Tuesday announced state aid to two business expansion projects and one community revitalization project that will generate more than $90.1 million in new capital investment and create 496 jobs in Michigan.
In a combination Michigan Business Development Program and Community Development Block Grant award, Indiana-based Forest River Manufacturing LLC plans to build three new plants in the village of White Pigeon in St. Joseph County in southwest Michigan. The company says the project represents an investment of more than $7 million and will create 396 jobs, enough for the state to award a $350,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant.
The state also awarded the village of White Pigeon $1.6 million in Community Development Block Grant funds for on-the-job training for employees at the new plants. White Pigeon is also offering a property tax abatement for the development.
White Pigeon was chosen for the project over several sites in Indiana.
Forest River produces travel trailers, fifth wheels, pop-up tent campers, park model trailers, destination trailers, commercial vehicles, buses, pontoon boats and other recreational products.
Also, the state approved a Michigan Business Development Program amendment for Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America Inc., which has research and development plants in Ann Arbor Township, York Township, Plymouth and Livonia.
In August, the company announced plans to relocate its direct procurement operations from Erlanger, Ky. to Washtenaw County’s York township as part of an increased investment in engineering capabilities. The expansion required the company to build a new structure in York Township, investing up to $32.5 million and creating 250 jobs. As a result, Toyota was awarded a $4 million Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. The company is also proposing to expand its Ann Arbor Township operations, investing $75.15 million and creating 85 jobs. As a result, the company’s grant grant has been increased by $1 million.
Ann Arbor Township has offered support to the project in the form of property tax abatement. Ann Arbor Spark has provided ongoing support to Toyota, working with regional and state partners on incentives as well as helping the company with tours of the region for relocating workers.
Individuals interested in career opportunities with Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing should visit http://www.toyota.com/usa/careers/index.html.
Finally, the Alpena Authority for Brownfield Redevelopment is seeking approval of local and school tax capture in the amount of $1,278,250 for the redevelopment of a vacant lot in downtown Alpena for the construction of a new 90-room, four-story Holiday Inn Express. The funds will be used to alleviate brownfield conditions on the property through site preparation and infrastructure improvement activities. The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $8 million and create 15 full-time jobs.
For more on the MEDC and its initiatives, visit michiganbusiness.org. For Michigan travel news, updates and information, visit michigan.org. Michigan residents interested in seeking employment with any of Michigan’s growing companies should check mitalent.org, where more than 81,000 jobs are currently available in a variety of industries.