LANSING — The Michigan Economic Development Corp. announced Michigan Strategic Fund approval of six business expansions and one community revitalization project in Michigan that are expected to generate more than $82 million in investments and create 506 new jobs.
The MSF also approved two community revitalization projects in downtown Marquette, including a new hospital that will be constructed in the heart of downtown. The projects will generate a total capital investment of at least $190 million, create 169 new jobs and retain 2,300 jobs.
The Michigan Strategic Fund approved Michigan Business Development Program incentives for the following projects:
* Cargill Kitchen Solutions Inc., formerly Sunny Fresh Foods, is a leading marketer of high value processed egg products with several plants in the United States and Ontario. The company has the opportunity to take on a new account and bring those operations to Lake Odessa Township, which will be expanded to accommodate the additional production. The project will generate a total capital investment of $27 million and create 35 jobs, resulting in a $262,500 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Lake Odessa Township has offered support to the project in the form of a 12-year property tax abatement valued at $284,000.
* Gentherm Inc. is a global developer of thermal management technologies for a broad range of temperature control applications. Its automotive products include heated and cooled seat systems, cup holders, thermal storage bins and steering wheels. The company plans to bring its engineering and testing operations to Michigan. In order to accommodate this growth, Gentherm will renovate its headquarters facility in Farmington Hills and acquire a second building. The project will generate more than $8.4 million in investment and create 150 jobs, resulting in a $750,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Farmington Hills is providing support by waiving permit fees related to the project. For information on careers with Gentherm Incorporated, visit www.gentherm.com.
* MIG Molding LLC is a roll form co-extrusion tooling and production injection molding company that was recently formed to support its sister company, Vintech Industries. The company plans to lease a recently purchased building from Vintech located in the Lapeer County village of Almont for a new manufacturing plant, investing more than $1.2 million and creating 32 jobs. As a result, the company has received a $105,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen over a competing site in Indiana. Almont Township has approved an Industrial Facilities Tax Exemption transfer to the project. Individuals interested in employment opportunities with MIG Molding should call (810) 724-7400, ext. 22.
* OMT-Veyhl USA Corp., based in Holland Township, designs, develops and markets high quality ergonomic office furniture. The company plans to construct an addition at its current facility to expand its manufacturing capacity. The project will generate a total capital investment of $8.8 million and create 206 jobs, resulting in a $750,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen over competing sites in Idaho and California. Holland Charter Township has offered support to the project in the form of property tax abatement. For employment opportunities with OMT-Veyhl USA, visit http://www.omt-veyhl.com.
* Orbbec 3D Technology International Inc. (www.orbbec3d.com) is a subsidiary of a Chinese company that develops three-dimensional sensors for gesture-controlled interfaces. The products serve a growing number of markets including smart TVs, gaming consoles, and tablets as well as the automotive and smart phone industries. The company plans to establish a headquarters and technical center in Troy, investing more than $3.2 million and creating 40 jobs related to the research, development and engineering of 3D sensor applications. As a result, the company has been awarded a $300,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen over a competing site in California. Troy has offered support to the project in the form of marketing and promotional assistance and complimentary community center passes for employees. For employment/partnership opportunities with Orbbec 3D, visit https://www.linkedin.com/company/orbbec-3d-technology-international-inc-.
* Sensient Flavors LLC is a subsidiary of Sensient Technologies, a global manufacturer and marketer of food colors, flavors and fragrances. The company plans to expand its facility in the Huron County’s Harbor Beach, making an undisclosed but “significant multi-million dollar investment” and creating 28 jobs. As a result, the company has been awarded a $150,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen over a competing site in Wisconsin. Harbor Beach is offering support to the project in the form of property tax abatement. For information on careers with Sensient Flavors, visit http://sensient.com/careers/jobs.
MSF also approved a Michigan Community Revitalization Program project:
* Cedar Springs Brewing Co. LLC and 95 North Main LLC plan to demolish an existing blighted building in downtown Cedar Springs in Kent County and replace it with a new brewery and restaurant. The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of more than $1.5 million and create 15 full-time equivalent jobs, resulting in a Michigan Community Revitalization Program performance-based grant of $285,614. In addition, the Cedar Springs Brownfield Redevelopment Authority received approval for local and school tax capture in the amount of $56,800 to alleviate brownfield conditions at the site. Cedar Springs is supporting the project with a PA 198 Industrial Facilities Tax Exemption valued at $130,000 and contributing $31,178 in local funds toward the brownfield redevelopment plan.
MSF also approved $55,763,061 in local and school tax capture for the Marquette Brownfield Redevelopment Authority to redevelop approximately 37 acres of property in Marquette. The project will consist of demolition of existing structures on the site and construction of the new regional acute-care DLP Marquette General Hospital, an affiliate of Duke LifePoint HealthCare. The completed project will also include medical office buildings and a parking deck. The project will generate a minimum total capital investment of $170 million and create 150 new jobs as well as retain 2,300 jobs.
In addition, MSF approved a $4.1 million Michigan Community Revitalization Program loan support for Liberty Way Hospitality LLC to continue the redevelopment of a brownfield site in Marquette. Formerly a blighted former industrial bakery, the site is being redeveloped in three phases. Upon completion, the project will consist of three buildings, including office, residential, restaurant and hotel space. The project being approved will consist of the construction of the second building, an extended stay hotel and a two-level underground parking garage. The project will also incorporate the construction of a pedestrian connector path to an extensive trail network and the new Marquette General Hospital health care campus. The project will generate a total capital investment of nearly $20.4 million and create 19 jobs. Marquette has provided support to the project through brownfield tax increment financing totaling $7,501,029.
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 90,000 jobs are currently available in a variety of industries.