LANSING–Two projects expected to generate 266 new, well-paying jobs and a total private investment of $7.1 million in the Ann Arbor region have received support from the Michigan Strategic Fund, officials of the Michigan Economic Development Corp. announced.
Navitas Systems, an Ann Arbor-based battery and power system manufacturer, received a $750,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant to support a $3.4 million expansion in Scio Township that is expected to create 111 new jobs.
Navitas currently has a 48,000-square-foot research and development, engineering, and manufacturing center, as well as a 100,000-square-foot lithium battery systems manufacturing center. In 2013, Navitas was awarded a $1 million Michigan Business Development Program grant for the creation of 125 new jobs and a $9.2 million investment at its plant in Pittsfield Charter Township. The company has since exceeded the job requirement.
The new addition will house commercial battery manufacturing, as well as additional engineering and office space.
Ann Arbor Spark has worked to help further the company’s success since 2013, through a range of activities including support in finding key talent, staff time, and other resources. For information on careers with Navitas, visit www.navitassys.com/contactus/#career.
In August 2019, the Lyon Station, Penn. battery manufacturer East Penn Manufacturing Co. Inc. acquired majority interest in Navitas. East Penn operates the largest single-site battery manufacturing facility in the world.
Also, Homepoint, an Ann Arbor Township-based mortgage loan originator and servicer, received a $600,000 increase in its earlier granted $360,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant to support a $3.7 million expansion that will create 155 new jobs.
Homepoint in 2018 announced plans to relocate its headquarters to Ann Arbor Township, investing more than $4 million and creating 50 high-paying jobs, the subject of the original $360,000 grant. The company has met its hiring milestones and, due to continued rapid growth, is looking to add an operations center. The 155 new jobs will include originators, underwriters, closers and disclosure analysts. The Michigan Strategic Fund approved an increase of the total new jobs from 50 to 205, resulting in an increase of Homepoint’s MBDP grant from $360,000 to $960,000. The terms of the agreement were extended from June 1, 2021 to Dec. 1, 2023.
Ann Arbor Spark is supporting the project with staff time and resources. Individuals interested in careers with Homepoint should visit Homepoint.com/careers.