Business Expansions, Community Improvement Projects Get State Aid

LANSING (WWJ) -- Four business expansions and three community involvement projects won state support Wednesday from the Michigan Economic Development Corp.

State officials say the projects are expected to generate $72 million in new investments and add 868 new jobs in Michigan.

The projects include three in Southeast Michigan, three in West Michigan and one near Charlevoix.

Projects approved under the Michigan Business Development Program were:
* Aisin Technical Center of America Inc., a subsidiary of Aisin Seiki, was established in 2008 as Aisin Seiki's first technical center outside of Japan. The company, which leads Aisin's product development for the American marketplace, plans to purchase a building to expand existing operations in Northville Township to meet growing customer demand. The project is projected to cost up to $32.7 million and create 151 jobs related to the sales, design, development and testing of automotive components. The company has been awarded a $1.2 million Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Northville Charter Township will review an application for a property tax abatement for up to 12 years.
* Charter House Innovations, a West Michigan-based designer and manufacturer of seating and décor for restaurants, hotels and universities, ablishments plans to expand into new markets and add new technologies and processes to its operations. The company will expand its existing furniture design and manufacturing operations into a newly acquired building in Holland Township, investing up to $3 million and creating at least 50 new jobs. As a result, the company has been awarded a $200,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Holland Charter Township has offered a Plant Rehabilitation Property tax abatement at an estimated value of $200,000.
* Comprehensive Logistics Co., Inc. is a third-party logistics provider focused on engineered warehouse, transportation and yard management technology systems and services to automakers, auto suppliers and industrial customers. Comprehensive Logistics plans to acquire land and build a new 365,000-square-foot logistics center in Detroit, creating 350 new jobs and investing up to $18.1 million. As a result, Comprehensive Logistics is receiving an $800,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen over competing sites in Ohio and Ontario.
* Navitas Systems LLC is a large format stored energy solutions provider serving OEMs and system integrators as well as commercial, industrial and government end users. The company is expanding its operations and relocating to a new building in Pittsfield Township to make a capital investment of up to $9.3 million and create 125 jobs related to storage battery manufacturing. As a result, Navitas Systems is being awarded a $1 million Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen over competing sites in other states. Pittsfield Township has offered support to the project in the form of a property tax abatement.

One Michigan Community Revitalization Program grant was approved:
* Hall Street Partners Inc. has developed historic properties in the Cherry Hill and Heritage Hill historic districts in Grand Rapids, with several projects recognized through awards by the local Historic Preservation Commission. Hall Street Partners now plans to renovate a historic 1920's grocery store into a mixed-use development, investing a total of $1.4 million and creating 15 jobs. The project will include a neighborhood bakery and restaurant on the first floor and two second-floor residential units. As a result, Hall Street Partners is being awarded a $310,000 Community Revitalization Program performance-based grant.

Community Development Block Grants approved were:
* Marion Township has been awarded $500,000 in CDBG funds for job training for the ACAT Global LLC expansion project in Charlevoix County. ACAT Global, a manufacturer of catalysts and catalytic converters for automakers and the aftermarket, recently acquired Oliver Racing Parts and Emico Technologies and started an in-house research and development company, California Coating Technology. As a result of the expansion the company will create 100 new jobs. Marion Township plans to support the project through property tax abatements valued at $251,000.
* The city of Watervliet has received $115,800 in CDBG funds for façade improvements to a building located within its downtown area in Berrien County. The proposed project will redevelop a vacant former car dealership into a new brewery and restaurant, Arclight Brewing Co. The project will result in private investment of $573,550 and the creation of 15 jobs. The company has agreed that at least eight of the positions will be held by low to moderate income individuals. The City of Watervliet will make an anticipated contribution of $15,000, along with private leverage funds of $573,550.

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