LANSING — Two business expansions and four community revitalization projects that will generate more than $111.4 million in total investment and create 204 jobs around Michigan have received Michigan Strategic Fund approval for support, the Michigan Economic Development Corp. announced.
* O-N Minerals Co., which does business as Carmeuse Lime & Stone, received a $200,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant for improvements in its production centers in Cedarville, Port Inland and Rogers City. Founded in Belgium in 1860, O-N produces high calcium and dolomitic lime, chemical grade limestone and crushed limestone aggregate products that are part of steel manufacturing, energy, environmental services, and construction. The projects are expected to involve a total capital investment of approximately $96.3 million over the next several years and have created 32 jobs during 2017. Michigan was chosen over competing sites in other states. Since the bulk of the investment is taking place in Rogers City, the community is offering property tax abatement in support of the project.
* Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc. received a $315,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant to support a new service manufacturing center in Marshall, an investment of $358,483 that will create 54 jobs. Tenneco offers air and ride performance products to the light vehicle, commercial truck, and off-highway equipment markets and the aftermarket. The city of Marshall is offering to pay for and install additional sidewalk space at the site in support of the project. In July 2017, MSF approved a $750,000 MBDP grant to support the company’s expansion in Northville Charter Township, a project that will generate a total capital investment of $23.1 million and create 95 jobs. For information on careers with Tenneco, visit http://www.tenneco.com/careers/.
MSF also approved the following community redevelopment projects:
* 13 North Washington Street LLC received a $295,000 Michigan Community Development Program performance-based grant to support its plans to redevelop a vacant, historic-two-story building in downtown Ypsilanti into 13 North Washington Back Office Studio, a co-location office space for companies growing out of the Spark East incubator. The project is anticipated to generate a total capital investment of nearly $1.5 million and create 22 full-time equivalent jobs. The city of Ypsilanti has issued a 10-year Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Abatement valued at $100,000 in support of the project.
* The MSF approved $988,415 in local and school tax capture to support brownfield remediation activities for the 220 West Congress Street project, which will rehabilitate a dilapidated office building in the financial district of Detroit into a five-story, mixed-use development that will include incubator-style office space for the tech and creative industries as well as other commercial space. The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $6.16 million and create 76 full-time equivalent jobs.
* The MSF approved $996,117 in local and school tax capture for brownfield remediation for the 2200 Block LLC project, which will redevelop underutilized property on Michigan Avenue in Lansing into Provident Place, a new, four-story mixed-use building that will contain commercial space on the first floor and residential space on the upper floors. The project is expected to generate total capital investment of more than $7 million and create 20 full-time equivalent jobs.
* The city of Negaunee received in $94,735 in Community Development Block Grant funds for façade improvements to two historic buildings on Iron Street. The two blighted buildings will be returned to their original historic character, removing inauthentic renovations that were made in recent times. The buildings will receive repair work to the brick façade and masonry, installation of new storefronts, installation of various windows, construction of an exterior patio, new signage and more. The project could result in private investment of up to $94,735.
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and its initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org.