Watch CBS News

MEDC Approves Aid For Projects Totaling $133.6M Investment, 406 Jobs

LANSING (WWJ) -- The Michigan Economic Development Corp. announced Michigan Strategic Fund approval of economic development and community revitalization projects that in total will generate $133.6 million in new capital investment and create 406 new jobs in Michigan. Included is support for Detroit's M1 Rail project, a replacement for Joe Louis Arena and a new half-billion-dollar atom smasher at Michigan State University.

Michigan Business Development Program incentives were awarded to:
* BorgWarner Inc., an Auburn Hills-based auto supplier. BorgWarner plans to expand its Powertrain Technical Center in Auburn Hills, investing up to $11 million and creating up to 200 new jobs related to transmission and powertrain parts manufacturing. As a result, the company has been awarded a $3.2 million Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen over competing sites in several other states. The City of Auburn Hills has offered support to the project in the form of property tax abatement. Job seekers interested in employment opportunities with BorgWarner should visit www.borgwarner.com/en/Careers/default.aspx.
* The M1 Rail project, a three-mile modern streetcar project to be constructed along Woodward Avenue from Larned Street in the Central Business District to Grand Boulevard in the New Center area in Detroit. There are 11 proposed stops along the new transit line which were strategically selected to connect with DDOT and SMART bus routes, the Detroit People Mover, Megabus and Amtrak. The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $130 to $140 million and create up to 41 new permanent jobs. As a result, the project has been awarded a $10 million Michigan Business Development Program performance-based loan. For more information, visit www.m1rail.org.

Michigan Community Revitalization Program Incentives were awarded to:
* The Grand Rapids Arena Place Development is a proposed mixed-use office, retail and residential high-rise to be located in the Arena South District of downtown Grand Rapids. The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $44 million and create 65 new full-time jobs, resulting in a $4.5 million Michigan Community Revitalization Program performance-based loan participation.
* The Joe Louis Agreement provides up to $6 million in Michigan Community Revitalization Program performance-based economic assistance for the demolition of Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. The demolition is anticipated to spur new commercial investment along the Detroit riverfront. The demolition of the JLA is part of a larger agreement involving the Olympia Development, the City of Detroit Downtown Development Authority and the State of Michigan to facilitate the development of a $450 million new events center and at least $200 million in ancillary private development.

Also, a Brownfield Work Plan was approved for the 965 Wanda Project. The Ferndale Brownfield Redevelopment Authority is seeking approval of local and school tax capture in the amount of $717,829 for the redevelopment of a vacant industrial building in downtown Ferndale into new industrial space for Brass Aluminum Forging. The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $8.6 million and create 50 full-time jobs at Brass Aluminum Forging, and approximately 50 additional jobs by the other tenants of the building.

Also, a Bond Authoring Resolution of up to $100 million was approved for the construction of the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams to be built on the campus of Michigan State University. In February, the MSF approved the inducement resolution for issuance of private activity bonds for the community share of the project. The total civil construction cost is estimated to be $165 million. MSU estimates that in the next 10 years, approximately 400 new full-time jobs will be created. When construction of the facility begins, an estimated 5,000 one-year construction jobs will be created.

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

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.