Companies Get State Aid For $561M Investment, 1,500 New Jobs

LANSING — More than $561 million in new investment with 1,500 jobs and two community revitalization projects are among projects approved Tuesday by the Michigan Strategic Fund.

The projects include investments by Lear Corporation, LG Electronics and Penske Logistics that will generate a total of $158.8 million capital investments and create 1,130 jobs.

* Southfield-based Lear Corp. received a $4.35 million Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant to help finance a new 156,000-square-foot, $29.2 million automotive seating systems plant in Flint. The project is expected to create 435 jobs. Michigan was chosen over a competing site in Mexico. The city of Flint has offered property tax abatement in support of the project. Individuals interested in careers with Lear should visit http://www.lear.com/Site/Careers.

* In addition, MSF approved a $300,000 one-time grant to the Evergreen Community Development Initiative for its literacy center in the city of Flint. Intended to support talent development, the center will house a complete virtual library computer lab and dedicated literacy coaches with a defined curriculum to increase adult literacy rates and job readiness. The funds were provided to MSF by the Michigan Department of Treasury through a memorandum of understanding.

* Korea’s LG Electronics received a $2.92 million Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant to assist in the development of a new, 250,000-square-foot LG Electronics Vehicle Components USA plant in Hazel Park. LG will also expand its engineering and design center in Troy. The project is expected to generate capital investment of $25 million and create 292 jobs. Michigan was chosen over competing sites in the Midwest and China. The cities of Hazel Park and Troy will provide assistance in finding candidates for the new positions. For information on careers with LG US, visit http://www.lg.com/us/careers.

* Penske Logistics was awarded a $2.5 million Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant to assist in the financing of a new 606,000-square-foot distribution center in Romulus, creating 403 jobs. Penske Logistics and developer InSite Real Estate, LLC will be investing a combined $98.5 million in the project. Michigan was chosen over multiple sites in the Midwest. The city of Romulus and Detroit Region Aerotropolis will consider a 10-year property tax abatement in support of the project. Visit http://www.PenskeLogistics.com to learn more.

* Looney Moon, LLC recieved a $300,000 Michigan Community Revitalization Program performance-based grant to assist in a $1.7 million renovation of 204 E. Grand River in the Old Town district of the city of Lansing into a mixed-use development that will include retail, commercial, and residential space. The project is expected to create 20 full-time equivalent jobs.

* The Revival Commons Redevelopment Project received MSF approval for more than $1.4 million in local and school tax recapture to help alleviate brownfield conditions on 53.7-acres of contaminated property at the former Tecumseh Products site in the city of Tecumseh. The completed project will consist of a mixed-use development that will include industrial, office and retail space. Located within walking distance of downtown Tecumseh, the new development will bring an underutilized property back to productive use and is expected to generate increased foot traffic and economic activity in the downtown area.

* MSF also approved an increase to the State Essential Services Assessment Exemption to support Ford Motor Company’s expansion at its Livonia Transmission Plant. Announced in May, the expansion will add a new transmission to its lineup. The project will generate additional investment by Ford of $350 million, resulting in an increase from $1.2 billion to $1.55 billion to the company’s SESA exemption. The company evaluated locations in neighboring states as well as Mexico for the expansion. Allowing Ford to claim the additional investment under its existing SESA exemption will ensure that the project moves forward in Michigan.

* MSF also approved the University Technology and Commercialization Program Request for Proposals in the amount of $2.8 million. The purpose of the RFP is to solicit proposals from applicants that have received prior MSF funding and require additional funding to continue the programs. The UTACP, originally approved by MSF in 2011, was established to invest in university-business partnerships focused on mentors, interns, collaboration, commercialization, economic growth and job creation.

* Also, the MSF approved the appointment of Michigan Economic Development Corp. CEO Jeff Mason to the American Center for Mobility’s board of directors. In 2016, MSF approved resolutions that helped establish the Willow Run Arsenal of Democracy Landholdings Limited Partnership toward finalizing the acquisition of land at Willow Run, and facilitate the design, construction costs and operations for the completion of Phase I of the connected and automated vehicle center to be developed and operated by the American Center for Mobility. Per the by-laws of the ACM, the MSF is entitled to designate two members to the ACM board of directors and Mason will assume one of the two positions.

For more on the MEDC, the state’s marketing arm and advocate for business development, job awareness and community and talent development, visit http://www.MichiganBusiness.org. Visit Pure Michigan Talent Connect at http://www.mitalent.org for more information on Michigan’s online marketplace for connecting job seekers and employers.

 

Diplomat Adds Medication Adherence Technology

FLINT — Diplomat Pharmacy Inc. (NYSE: DPLO), the Flint-based specialty pharmacy, has partnered with New York City-based SMRxT Inc. to begin deploying its Nomi medication adherence system.

Diplomat Buys Health Information Provider

FLINT — Diplomat Pharmacy Inc. (NYSE: DPLO) announced it had completed its acquisition of WRB Communications Inc., a health care service center company based in Chantilly, Va.

WRB specializes in relationship management programs for pharmaceutical manufacturers and health care service organizations.

Under the terms of the agreement, Diplomat is paying WRB $24.5 million cash and $4.5 million of Diplomat common stock. Under the terms of a two-year contingent earnout, WRB can earn an additional payout of up to $1 million based upon achievement of earnings-based targets in the 12-month periods ending May 31, 2018, and May 31, 2019. In 2016, WRB generated $15 million in revenue and $2.2 million in adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.

Business Expansions Win State Aid, To Create 203 Jobs

LANSING — An animal health company is expanding in the Kalamazoo area with support from the Michigan Strategic Fund, the Michigan Economic Development Corp. announced.

That expansion, along with four other business expansion projects that also received MSF approval, will generate a total private investment of more than $71.5 million and create 203 jobs in Michigan.

State Support OK’d For Business Expansions, Flint Incubator

LANSING — The Michigan Strategic Fund has approved three grants to create a new business incubator in Flint and build new manufacturing plants in the Grand Rapids area and Port Huron.

New investment, more jobs coming to Flint

LANSING — State officials have announced financial support for an expansion of a Huntington Bank call center in Flint that will result in the creation of 60 new jobs and a $5.4 million investment.

The Huntington complex is on Saginaw Street across from the University of Michigan-Flint campus.

AT&T Brings Faster Network to More Than 100 Michigan Sites

DETROIT — AT&T Inc. has activated upgrades to bring faster speeds to nearly 100 cell sites around the state.

AT&T Upgrades Network

DETROIT — AT&T Inc. says it has added a new 4G LTE cell site in Beverly Hills, and has upgraded dozens more other cell sites raound the state.

Projects to add 1,300 jobs, $157M investment get state aid

LANSING — Projects generating a total capital investment of $157 million and creating more than 1,300 jobs were approved Tuesday by the Michigan Strategic Fund, with efforts including business expansions, community revitalization projects, infrastructure grants for communities around the state and other activities.

Next Michigan designation, business projects gain state apprroval

LANSING — Nearly $85 million in new private investment with up to 878 jobs, and an authorization to the city of Detroit to use incentives to further develop manufacturing and transportation districts, are among projects approved Tuesday by the Michigan Strategic Fund.

The Michigan Economic Development Corp. administers programs on behalf of MSF, and serves as the state’s marketing and business attraction agency.

At Tuesday’s meeting, the MSF board approved:

* City of Detroit–Next Michigan Development Corporation (D-NMDC):  Detroit has received MSF approval as the state’s seventh and final Next Michigan Development Corporation. In ithis role, D-NMDC will seek to attract eligible businesses to key employment districts within the city, which have the greatest potential for growth in the industries of manufacturing, transportation, distribution and logistics. The NMDC designation grants the authority to offer tax incentives such as renaissance zones, real and personal property tax exemptions, and local development financing.

* FEV North America Inc., a subsidiary of German’s FEV Group, received a $1.2 million Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant to support a $27 million tech center in Auburn Hills that will create 250 new jobs. The company currently employs about 500 people. FEV, founded in 1978 in Germany, is a powertrain and vehicle design engineering company. Michigan was chosen over a competing site in South Carolina. Auburn Hills is offering a property tax abatement in support of the project. Individuals interested in career opportunities with FEV should visit http://www.fev.com/careers/jobs-at-fev.html and select “USA.”

* Holland-based JR Automation Technologies LLC received a $2.2 million Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant to build a $5.6 million new plant in Holland Township, creating 250 new jobs. JR designs and manufactures automated machinery to the  automotive, medical, pharmaceutical, aerospace, construction, furniture, and food processing industries. Michigan was chosen as a result of a national search. Holland Township has offered support in the form of 12-year property tax abatement. For career opportunities with JR Automation, visit http://www.jrauto.com/Careers.

* The Hazel Park Brownfield Redevelopment Authority received MSF approval of $5,751,200 in local and school tax capture for the redevelopment of approximately 36 acres of land at the Hazel Park Raceway complex. Tri-County Commerce Center LLC plans to construct a 575,000-square-foot building on the site that will be designed to serve industrial tenants. The project is expected to generate $36 million in total capital investment and create 175 full-time equivalent jobs. The tax capture will be used toward the alleviation of brownfield conditions at the site, including demolition activities, lead and asbestos abatement, site preparation, and infrastructure improvements.

* River’s Edge Partners LLC received a $750,000 Michigan Community Revitalization Program performance-based grant to support a $10.4 million project that will convert a former steel fabrication plant and foundry on East Michigan Avenue in downtown Kalamazoo into office and collaborative work-incubator space. The completed project will include offices, retail space, a restaurant, fitness center, collaborative area, and an outdoor terrace facing Portage Creek. The project is expected to create 118 full-time equivalent jobs. In addition, the Kalamazoo Brownfield Redevelopment Authority received MSF approval for $742,930 in local and school tax capture for the project. The funds will be used alleviate brownfield conditions at the site and prepare it for construction, including asbestos removal, demolition, site preparation activities and infrastructure improvements. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality is also supporting the project with tax increment financing in the amount of $47,030, a grant in the amount of $191,750 and a loan in the amount of $193,935. To view a video on the River’s Edge project, visit this link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svAJ0ouTtHs.

* The city of Adrian was awarded $2,866,446 in Community Development Block Grant funds for the Strongback Four Corners Redevelopment Project in downtown Adrian. Strongback Properties LLC plans to redevelop three historic properties into commercial space, residential rental housing, and parking. The project is expected to generate more than $4.7 million in total capital investment and create eight to 10 full-time equivalent jobs. MSF also approved $392,375 in local and school tax capture for the Adrian Brownfield Redevelopment Authority to alleviate brownfield conditions at the site and prepare it for redevelopment.

* River Parc Place II LLC received a $636,860 Michigan Community Revitalization Program performance-based grant to support a $4 million renovation of an existing four-story building at 80 Washington St. in downtown Manistee into a mixed-use development. Built in 2006 as a residential condominium project, the building was never completed and is considered blighted by the city. Once completed, the building will consist of a mixed-use development with residential rental units and commercial space. The lakefront space will also be renovated to allow lake access boat slips for both public and private use. In addition, Manistee Brownfield Redevelopment Authority received MSF approval for $2,980,685 in local and school tax capture to be used toward alleviation of brownfield conditions at the site as well as six adjacent parcels and prepare them for redevelopment.

MSF also approved the following:

* Michigan Translational Research and Commercialization (MTRAC) Ag Bio Innovation Hub – $1 million in MTRAC funding to Michigan State University to serve as the MTRAC Ag Bio Innovation Hub supporting technology transfer from Michigan’s institutions of higher education, non-profit research centers and hospital systems for the commercialization of competitive edge ag bio technologies.

* Gatekeeper Business Incubator grant – $100,000 to Lawrence Technological University to provide support services and business advice to early stage technology companies in the Southfield and Troy areas.

* Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) Program grant – $100,000 in funding to the Flint and Genesee Chamber of Commerce PTAC to provide government contracting support to businesses in the city of Flint.

* Private activity bond financing – Approval of an inducement resolution for private activity bond financing of up to $4.5 million for the construction of a new building and acquisition of equipment in Bay County’s Monitor Charter Township for the F.P. Horak Co. and H & J Realty Co. LLC. The project is expected to create up to 71 jobs over a three-year period.

For more on the MEDC and its initiatives, visit michiganbusiness.org. For Michigan travel news, updates and information, visit michigan.org. Michigan residents interested in seeking employment with any of Michigan’s growing companies should check mitalent.org, where more than 99,000 jobs are currently available in a variety of industries.