Three business expansions that will generate a total of $29.6 million in private investment and create 262 jobs in Michigan have received support from the Michigan Strategic Fund, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced.
“The decision by these Tier 1 auto suppliers to not just expand but to establish new facilities in Michigan further underscores our leadership position in automotive manufacturing and the strength of our talented workforce,” said Jeff Mason, CEO, Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the state’s chief marketing and business attraction arm that administers programs and performs due diligence on behalf of the MSF.
“Collaboration with our local partners is key to attracting these kinds of investments and further building the economy around the state,” Mason said.
Concord Tool and Manufacturing, Inc., founded in 1966, is a Tier 1 supplier of tool and die engineering and construction, stamping, projection and spot welding, robotic welding and more. Concord has built a strong relationship with Toyota and ships product to every Toyota facility in North America. The company has won new programs from Toyota and has exceeded capacity at its current location in the city of Mt. Clemens. Concord is looking to establish new operations near its existing facilities, a project that is expected to generate a total private investment of $8.8 million and create 75 jobs. As a result, the company has been awarded a $300,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen over competing sites in Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee.
“On behalf of our team at Concord, we are blessed to have good customers, good team members and a good community to work in,” said Mark Dichtel, president, Concord Tool. “We are grateful for the support of the MEDC, Macomb County and the City of Mount Clemens.”
The city of Mt. Clemens has offered to host a job fair and aid in employee recruitment in support of the project. For information on careers with Concord, visit www.concordtool.com.
“The City of Mount Clemens is thrilled to be continuing our relationship with Concord Tool as a prominent member of our business community,” said city of Mt. Clemens Community Director Brian Tingley. “Their investment showcases the strength of the city and our successful economic development partnerships at the county, state and local levels.”
erae AMS USA Manufacturing, LLC is a subsidiary of erae AMS Co., Ltd., a Korea-based Tier 1 supplier of driveline systems, chassis, and electronics systems and components. The parent company has more than 1,600 employees worldwide. erae USA needs to establish a new manufacturing facility to be closer to key customers and plans to lease new operations in the city of Pontiac. The project is expected to generate a total private investment of $17 million and create 137 jobs, resulting in a $685,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen over competing sites in Indiana and Ohio. The city of Pontiac has offered a 50-percent property tax abatement in support of the project.
“Oakland County is a global leader in the attraction of Tier 1 automotive suppliers and we’re excited erae AMS USA Manufacturing chose Pontiac for its newest manufacturing facility,” Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson said. “The company’s $17 million investment, which creates 137 jobs, is an acknowledgment that our highly skilled and educated workforce is why global companies such as erae AMS USA Manufacturing find locating in Oakland County so appealing.”
Ventra Evart LLC is a subsidiary of Flex-N-Gate, a Tier 1 supplier of plastic automotive components. Ventra Evart focuses on plastics, metals, lighting and mechanical assemblies for the auto industry. The company is located in the city of Evart, a Rising Tide community, and needs to expand its operations due to continued growth. Ventra Evart plans to purchase the vacant Dean’s Dairy building about a mile from its current facility, a project that will generate total private investment of $3.75 million and create 50 jobs. As a result, Ventra Evart has been awarded a $350,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen over a competing site in Ohio.
The city of Evart anticipates approval of a 50-percent property tax abatement in support of the project. For information on careers with Ventra Evart, visit https://jobs.flex-n-gate.com/.
“We are very grateful for our partnership with Ventra. Ventra has proven their commitment to our community by reinvesting in the Dean’s property,” said Evart Interim City Manager/Treasurer/Assessor Sarah J. Dvoracek. “We are excited to have this opportunity with work with Ventra and will help in any way possible to make it successful.”