The Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced Michigan Strategic Fund approval of a $1.5 million Michigan Business Development Program incentive for the establishment of Janesville Acoustic’s new manufacturing plant in Battle Creek that will generate up to $10 million in new private investment, adding a projected 225 new jobs.
“Janesville Acoustics is a world leader in acoustical products, and the opening of the facility in Battle Creek will further strengthen their Michigan presence and provide additional good jobs for years to come,” said MEDC President and CEO Michael A. Finney. “The company’s decision to expand in Michigan is a strong statement about the great opportunities that, thanks to our business climate improvements, Michigan now offers to growing companies.”
Janesville Acoustics, a Jason company headquartered in Southfield, is one of the world’s largest producers of acoustical and thermal fiber insulation and a leading producer of fiber products. Janesville Acoustics proposes to invest up to $10 million to open a new 250,000 square-foot facility in the City of Battle Creek for the manufacture of felt parts for cars and trucks. Janesville anticipates the project will create approximately 225 new jobs, resulting in a performance based Business Development Incentive of $1.5 million. Michigan was chosen over competing sites in Indiana and Ohio.
“For eight months, our team has worked to determine the right location in which to establish our fifth U.S. production facility,” said David Cataldi, president of Janesville Acoustics. “In Battle Creek, we are pleased to have found the right combination of a skilled workforce, infrastructure that meets our needs, and proximity to our automotive customers.”
The City of Battle Creek is supportive of the project and plans to approve tax abatements for Janesville.
“Battle Creek is delighted to have a company the caliber of Janesville Acoustics coming to our city and adding their expertise in acoustical and thermal automotive products to our economic base,” said Battle Creek City Manager Ken Tsuchiyama. “City government will continue to support their growth and investment and look forward to a long and productive relationship with our newest corporate resident.”
The Battle Creek Michigan Works! agency and Battle Creek Unlimited are providing job training for the project. In addition, BCU is supplementing that with $140,000 for training, relocation and residency incentives.
“It has been a pleasure to work with the company and their consultant Duff and Phelps and the MEDC as the package has been developed to attract Janesville Acoustics to Battle Creek,” said Battle Creek Unlimited President and CEO Karl Dehn. “We look forward to a very long and successful relationship with the company and its leadership.”
Signed into law by Governor Rick Snyder in December, 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.
The Michigan Business Development Program replaces the state’s previous MEGA program that was a feature of the Michigan Business Tax that was eliminated under business tax restructuring legislation approved and signed into law by Snyder in May 2011.
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation markets the state with a focus on business, talent, jobs and helping to grow the economy. For more on MEDC and its initiatives, visit: www.MichiganAdvantage.org.