LANSING — Seven business expansions that will generate a total of $40.2 million in private investment and create 502 jobs in Michigan received support from the Michigan Strategic Fund, the Michigan Economic Development Corp. announced.
* AGS Automotive Systems received a $950,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant to support a $5 million expansion of its Sterling Heights plant that is expected to create 100 new jobs. AGS is a supplier of automotive bumper impact systems that has been in business for more than 70 years. Michigan was chosen over competing sites in other regions. The city of Sterling Heights has offered to assist with talent attraction in support of the project. Individuals interested in careers with AGS should visit http://www.agsautomotive.com/employment.cfm.
* Alpine Electronics of America Inc. received a $650,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant to support a $5.1 million expansion of its operations in Auburn Hills that is expected to create 100 jobs. Alpine, founded in 1978 and headquartered in Torrance, Calif., is a subsidiary of Tokyo, Japan-based Alps Electric Co. Ltd. and manufactures electronics components for the computer, communications, and automotive markets. Michigan was chosen over the company’s existing headquarters location in California. The city of Auburn Hills has offered a 50-percent property tax abatement in support of the project. Individuals interested in careers with Alpine should visit https://alpine-usa.com/company/careers.
* Arcanum Alloys received a $162,500 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant to support a $693,000 expansion to relocate the Silicon Valley startup to Kentwood to be closer to its production partners, suppliers, and manufacturing customers. The move is expected to create 25 Michigan jobs. Arcanum, founded in 2011, has patented technology that formulates alloys that have improved functionality, capability and value for its manufacturing customers. Michigan was chosen over competing sites in numerous states. The Right Place, the Grand Rapids area’s economic development agency, plans to offer staff time and resources to support the project.
* Configit Inc. received a $365,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant to support the opening of a new office in Southfield, which will involve the investment of $803,000 and the creation of 51 high-tech and administrative jobs. The company founded in Denmark in 2000, provides services to help manufacturers get configurable products and services to market faster, and to sell, manufacture, and service them more efficiently. Michigan was chosen for the expansion over competing sites in Atlanta and Chicago. The city of Southfield is offering expedited permitting in support of the project. Individuals interested in careers with Configit should visit https://configit.com/about/careers/.
* Medline Industries Inc. received a $250,000 Michigan Business Developemnt Program performance-based grant to support a $5.9 million investment in a new lease of a 420,000-square-foot building in Romulus and the creation of 75 jobs. Medline is the nation’s largest privately held manufacturer and distributor of medical supplies. Michigan was chosen over competing sites in Indiana and Ohio. The city of Romulus has offered hiring support and the Detroit Region Aerotropolis Development Corp. is also planning to assist the company in finding candidates for the new positions. For information on careers with Medline, visit https://www.medline.com/pages/about-us/careers/.
* Piston Automotive LLC received a $590,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant to support a $16.7 million expansion into a new 154,000-square-foot building in Van Buren Township, a project that will create 118 jobs. Piston Automotive was founded by former Detroit Piston Vinnie Johnson in 1995 and manufactures and assembles modules in powertrain, chassis, interior, exterior and electrification for the auto industry. Van Buren Township or the Detroit Region Aerotropolis Development Corp. will provide staff time and resources in support of the project. Individuals interested in careers with Piston Automotive should visit http://www.pistonautomotive.com/.
* West Michigan Compounding LLC received a $150,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant to support a $6 million expansion of its plant in Greenville, increasing manufacturing and office space and creating 33 new jobs. The company, founded in 2005, compounds and recycles plastic scrap. The city of Greenville is considering a 50 percent property tax abatement to support the project. For information on careers with WMC, visit https://wmcompounding.com/careers/.
The MEDC 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.