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Four Companies To Invest Nearly $45M, Add 223 Jobs In Michigan

LANSING -- The Michigan Economic Development Corp. Tuesday announced approval of Michigan Business Development and Community Revitalization program incentives to four companies planning expansions in the state.

The projects are expected to generate up to $44.7 million in investments and add 223 new jobs in Michigan.

"These four companies are demonstrating that Michigan can compete with any state in the country as a great place to grow a business," said MEDC President and CEO Michael A. Finney. "This new investment in our state will strengthen our communities and fuel new opportunities for our talented workforce."

The projects approved today:

* Bleistahl North America LP, a subsidiary of Bleistahl Ltd., was formed in 2001 to spearhead sales of valve train components to the automotive industry in the North American market. Bleistahl North America LP plans to centralize its production in North America by opening a manufacturing facility in Battle Creek. The company plans to invest $11.5 million and create 58 new jobs, resulting in a $475,000 Michigan Business Development performance-based grant. Battle Creek is also offering 12-year property tax abatements valued at $532,000.

* A $1 million Community Revitalization Program performance-based grant has been awarded to Gulf Shore Investments LLC for the new construction of Mill End Lofts on the site of the former Mill End structure in downtown Bay City. The new development, a three-story mixed-use building consisting of restaurant and retail space along with residential units, will complement the historic nature of Bay City's downtown district. The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of up to $7.7 million and create 30 full-time jobs. Bay City has offered a commercial rehabilitation tax abatement valued at $1.6 million.

* Kay Manufacturing Co., based in Calumet City, Ill., provides value added precision machining services of forged material to domestic automotive subassemblies on a production basis. The company plans to expand into a 120,000 square foot building in St. Joseph Charter Township, creating 80 jobs and investing $9.3 million. As a result of the expansion, Kay Manufacturing has been awarded a $350,000 Michigan Business Development Program incentive. In addition, St. Joseph Township is expected to approve a 12-year tax abatement valued at $321,000.

* Rassini Brakes LLC, headquartered in Mexico, is the largest fully integrate supplier of rotor components in North America. Rassini plans to open a new plant in Mt. Morris Charter Township for machining automotive products for delivery to OEM assembly plants in the Midwest. The company will invest up to $17.3 million and create 55 new jobs, resulting in a $500,000 Michigan Development performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen over a competing site in Ohio. Mt. Morris Township expects to offer support to the project.

Signed into law by Governor Rick Snyder in December 2011, the Michigan Business Development Program provides grants, loans and other economic assistance to qualified businesses that make investments or create jobs in Michigan, with preference given to businesses that need additional assistance for deal-closing and for second stage gap financing.

The MSF will consider a number of factors in making these awards, including: out-of-state competition, private investment in the project, business diversification opportunities, near-term job creation, wage and benefit levels of the new jobs, and net-positive return to the state. Business retention and retail projects are not eligible for consideration of these incentives.

The Michigan Community Revitalization Program provides grants, loans, or other economic assistance of up to $10 million to projects that will revitalize regional urban areas, act as a catalyst for additional investment in a community, reuse vacant or historic buildings and promote mixed use and sustainable development.

The MEDC markets the state with a focus on business, talent, jobs and helping to grow the economy. For more on MEDC and its initiatives, visit: MichiganAdvantage.org.

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