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Two Companies To Invest $5.9M, Add 639 Jobs In Michigan

LANSING (WWJ) -- The Michigan Economic Development Corp. announced approval of Michigan Business Development Program incentives to two companies planning expansions in the state.

The projects are expected to generate up to $5.9 million in investments and add 639 new jobs in Michigan.

The projects approved Thursday:

* Renu Wireless USA LLC, a joint venture between Florida-based Renu WG Holdings LLC and Michigan-based IWH Cornerstone LLC, provides large scale wireless re-manufacturing and refurbishing services for smartphones and other devices. The company plans to invest nearly $5.3 million for a new communications re-manufacturing operation in Roseville. The project will create up to 228 jobs, resulting in a $900,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen over a competing site in North Carolina. The project is being considered by the City of Roseville and Macomb County for support in the form of a property tax abatement, a county-hosted job fair, or use of Macomb County facilities.

* Universal Marketing Group LLC, headquartered in Toledo, is a sales-oriented call center servicing the infomercial industry. UMG plans to open a new call center in the former Borders building in Ann Arbor, investing up to $568,662 and creating up to 411 jobs. As a result, the company is being awarded a $600,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen over competing sites in Bowling Green and Columbus, Ohio. Ann Arbor Spark, in partnership with Washtenaw County Michigan Works, has committed to providing talent support to the company, including job postings and resume screening.

Universal Marketing Group will employ a range of talent at its Ann Arbor location, including call center, sales, human resources, IT and technical staff.

A video on Universal Marketing Group's expansion to Ann Arbor is online at www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yYNm6c9USA&feature=youtu.be.

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.

For more on the MEDC and its initiatives, visit: MichiganBusiness.org. For Michigan travel news, updates and information, visit michigan.org.

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