3,900 Techie Jobs Coming To Michigan

The MEDC (Michigan Economic Development Crop.) along with Governor Jennifer Granholm announced that 3,900 jobs will be created with the help of nine companies resulting in a $179 million investment in the state of Michigan.

Here is a brief overview of the jobs being created:

Azentek LLC – a designer and developer of in-vehicle infotainment and computing systems in Genesee County’s Grand Blanc Township plans a $3 million expansion to a leased light industrial facility in Grand Blanc, creating 198 new jobs, including 78 directly by the company. The company will get a state tax credit valued at $1.5 million over 10 years to win the project over a competing site in China.

Orchid Unique Orthopedic Solutions – a surgical cutting accessories manufacturer of instruments and implants will devote $3.5 million to merge operations and enlarge its plant in Saginaw County’s Bridgeport Township, creating 142 jobs.

Priceline.com Inc. – the MEDC approved a state tax credit valued at $3.9 million over seven years to encourage the online travel company to launch a new office under consideration in Wyoming Michigan. The project is expected to produce $7.7 million in new capital investment and create 610 new jobs, including 424 directly by the company.

Brembo North America – The braking systems supplier will invest $47 million to consolidate its corporate and technical groups from Northville, Farmington Hills and Costa Mesa, Calif. at a new headquarters to be built in Novi instead of competing sites in North Carolina and Mexico. The combined project is expected to retain and create 1,049 jobs, including 325 directly by the company.

Mahle Engine Components USA Inc. – The member of the Germany-based Mahle GmbH group of businesses will invest $18.2 million in a 30,000-square-foot expansion of its piston ring manufacturing plant in St. Johns. The expansion is expected to create 534 new Michigan jobs, including up to 150 directly by the company.

Mahle Industries Inc. – The subsidiary of Mahle GmbH, a leading global manufacturer of components for the automotive and heavy duty engine industry, will invest $27.6 million in an initial 45,000-square-foot expansion in Farmington Hills. The investment will occur in two phases. The project is expected to create 324 new jobs, including 155 directly by the company. A state tax credit valued at $2.5 million over seven years to win the expansion over a competing site in Tennessee.

Production Engineering Inc. – The manufacturer of precision machined components for wheel end, steering and drive train applications for specialty truck and construction equipment axles, will invest over $11 million to relocate to a 440,000-square-foot former Goodyear warehouse in Jackson. The project will create and retain 436 jobs, including 122 new jobs at the company and 112 retained.

Rayconnect Inc. – The wholly-owned subsidiary of A. Raymond Inc. will invest $19.6 million in a new plastics injection molding and assembly plant and headquarters in Rochester Hills. The company designs, develops, manufactures and sells fluid handling products for the automotive, commercial and construction equipment markets. The project will retain 360 Michigan jobs, including 148 at the company.

Venchurs Inc. – The supply chain management and third party packaging and logistical services provider to the automotive and construction-agriculture industries, will invest $21 million to expand its operations in Adrian. Through the assistance of an $8 million incentive package, the project is expected to create up to 152 new jobs, including 50 directly by the company by the end of 2010.

City of Detroit – Developer Grand River and Six Mile LLC will use $631,600 in local and school capture and private investment of $5.5 million to redevelop the former Detroit Police 8th precinct station across from Redford High School. Two structures will be built on the site comprising 23,800 square feet of retail and commercial space. The project will lead to creation of 60 full-time jobs.

City of Muskegon - State and local tax capture valued at $1.3 million will support environmental clean up and redevelopment of 19 acres on the east and west sides of Henry Street in Muskegon by Betten Automotive Group to make way for rehab or creation of nearly 113,000 square feet of commercial space. The $15 million project is expected to create 36 new jobs.

Tim Somers
MichiganBusinessHub.com