LANSING, Mich. – May 25th, Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to announce three business expansion projects and one community development project expected to create a total of 350 new jobs and generate a total private investment of more than $25 million have received support from the Michigan Strategic Fund. The projects are in Mendon (St. Joseph County), Alma, Plainfield Charter Township, Portage, and Owosso.  

“These projects will create 350 good-paying jobs and bring $25 million of investment to rural and small-town communities across Michigan, building our economic momentum and powering growth in every region,” said Governor Whitmer. “Together, we are revitalizing communities to make them more attractive places to live and invest and creating opportunity in people’s hometowns so they can stay and lead good lives right here in Michigan. Let’s keep growing our economy and building a brighter future for everyone who calls Michigan home.”   

“Today’s investments underscore Team Michigan’s commitment to delivering long-term economic growth for all Michiganders,” MEDC Sr. Vice President of Regional Prosperity Matt McCauley. “We are grateful to the Governor, legislators, and local partners for their continued support of our efforts. These projects reflect our commitment to seizing opportunities that make Michigan an even better place for each of our 10 million-plus friends and neighbors to live, work, visit, play, and create futures.”   

IAC Group Creating 273 New Jobs in Alma and Mendon   

International Automotive Components North America, Inc. is a subsidiary of International Automotive Components Group, a Luxembourg-based global supplier of automotive interior components. The company has 44 manufacturing facilities and an additional 15 business and innovation centers around the world. IAC North America’s headquarters are in Southfield, and the company operates four manufacturing facilities in Michigan, located in Alma, Port Huron, Warren, and Mendon (St. Joseph County), employing 811 Michiganders.   

IAC Group has strengthened its commitment to the state of Michigan by moving certain manufacturing programs in production from Indiana to its existing Alma and Mendon facilities. Michigan was chosen for the project over a competing site in Ohio.    

“We are excited to expand our operations and contribute to the strong leadership presence of the automotive manufacturing industry in Michigan,” said the IAC Group CEO David Prystash. “The relocation of program will allow us to remain cost competitive, while having access to the talent we need to provide inspiringly different automotive components and systems to customers worldwide.”   

IAC Group supports personal and professional growth of its employees by providing training programs and pathways to career advancement. The company also offers vacation time and health insurance to its employees. The project will bring immediate job growth with a large auto supplier and contributes to the MEDC’s ongoing efforts to strengthen Michigan’s leadership in automotive manufacturing.    

“IAC has been a significant industrial employer in the city of Alma for many years,” said Alma City Manager Aeric Ripley. “We are thrilled they have chosen to expand their facility's capabilities and increase jobs in Alma.”   

The relocation project, supported by an $800,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant, is expected to generate a total capital investment of $20.6 million and create 273 new jobs.    

The village of Mendon and the city of Alma have offered staff time in support of the project and will assist the company in finding candidates for the new positions. Individuals interested in careers with IAC should visit https://www.iacgroup.com/careers/.    

“We are very excited to work with IAC for this expansion and look forward to the new manufacturing jobs it will bring to the area,” said Greater Gratiot Development, Inc. President Jim Wheeler. “Thanks to the MEDC for securing these jobs in Michigan.”   

“At the beginning of the pandemic, the International Automotive Components North America facility in Mendon was looking at potential closure,” said Southwest Michigan First CEO Jonas Peterson. “Today, we're looking at an investment of over $17 million, creating more than 180 new jobs. Job creation leads to stronger communities and a more prosperous region and we're thankful that IAC sees the value proposition that southwest Michigan has to offer.”   

EVAPCO Select Tech Creating 38 Jobs in Plainfield Charter Township   

EVAPCO Select Technologies, Inc., headquartered in Taneytown, Maryland, is an employee-owned manufacturing company offering products for the commercial HVAC, industrial refrigeration, power generation, and industrial process worldwide. The company provides products for the evaporative cooling and industrial refrigeration markets around the world. EVAPCO currently has 27 employees in Michigan.   

The company’s Belmont facility is a full-service food plant equipment systems integrator specializing in start-to-finish for companies like ConAgra, Request Foods, Hudsonville Ice Cream, Kraft, Superior Foods, and more. EVAPCO is experiencing growing demand for these products and needs to expand. The company has purchased an existing facility in Plainfield Charter Township, where it will add assembly space for control panels and other products to help meet growing demand.  

“Select Tech has been part of this community for more than 32 years,” said Eric Staley, President of EVAPCO Select Tech. “Now, as part of the Evapco Group, we are proud to be adding the capacity to double our output which will further our commitment to the area.”   

The project will bring immediate tech jobs to the region and will strengthen and secure the company’s future investment in the state going forward. Michigan was chosen for the project over competing sites in multiple sites across the United States due to access to the state’s talented workforce.   

“EVAPCO Select Tech is excited to bring more high-paying technical jobs to Michigan,” said EVAPCO Chief Financial Officer Jeffrey Finch. “Our business continues to grow year over year and our partnership with MEDC allows us to expand our employee base with high-caliber talent in Western Michigan.”    

The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $3 million and create 38 well-paying jobs with the support of a $190,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Plainfield Charter Township has offered a 50-percent property tax abatement in support of the project.    

“On behalf of Plainfield Township, we’re pleased to support the expansion of EVAPCO Select Tech,” said Cameron Van Wyngarden, Superintendent of Plainfield Charter Township. “With the addition of 38 quality jobs to our community, we’re happy to have them support local individuals on the job-search, as well as look forward to the exceptional work they will be able to provide even more local manufacturers with this expansion.”    

Individuals interested in joining the EVAPCO team should send their resume and cover letter to careers@evapcoselect.com.   

“The Right Place is grateful we were able to assist EVAPCO SelectTech expand their Belmont location,” said Eric Icard, Senior Director of Business Development at The Right Place and project lead. “Their $3M investment in our community will help support a stronger economy for all in West Michigan and we look forward to seeing their growth in the future.”   

The RoviSys Company Creating 30 Jobs in Portage   

 The RoviSys Company, headquartered in Cleveland, is a global provider of information management solutions, manufacturing automation solutions, control system integration, building automation, and enterprise and industrial networks. RoviSys currently has 11 employees in Michigan.   

The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $160,000 and create 30 high-wage jobs, supported by a $210,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Southwest Michigan First is providing staff time and resources in support of the project. Individuals interested in careers with RoviSys should visit https://www.rovisys.com/careers/.    

“I am pleased to join with Governor Whitmer and the MEDC  in announcing the creation of a 30 new high-paying jobs in Portage,” said state Sen. Sean McCann (D-Kalamazoo).  “With all of the economic expansion in Kalamazoo County the new technology investment will pay dividends. I applaud the Governor, MEDC for their collaboration with RoviSys and look forward to many more partnerships in the future.”   

“We appreciate the State of Michigan’s partnership with local communities to expand business opportunities,” said state Rep. Christine Morse (D-Texas Township). “Investing in economic development helps keep places like the City of Portage vibrant communities where people want to live.”   

New mixed-use development will boost economic activity, bring new vibrancy to Westown Owosso   

DBMA Owosso, LLC and Barrister Brewing Co., LLC plan to rehabilitate a vacant, functionally obsolete historic building into a mixed-use development located at 902 West Main in Westown Owosso. When completed, the project will include two market-rate apartments and one commercial space that will serve as the home of Barrister Brewing, a new microbrewery bar and restaurant. The project includes the installation of a new insulated cool roof and features that remain consistent with the building’s historic character including windows and façade features.  

Westown Owosso is considered Owosso’s second downtown and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In addition to bringing new housing and redevelopment to the area, the project is expected to drive additional foot traffic and increase the economic vitality of the local businesses. By activating long-vacant and underutilized space, the project will add vibrancy to the downtown district and act as a catalyst for additional revitalization in the community.   

“We are honored to have received this award and we’re thrilled that the MEDC believed in our vision to rehabilitate a beautiful late 19th-century gem, to create an anchor business, and help develop Westown Owosso’s genuine sense of place,” said Barrister Brewing Owner Dan Nees. “As we’ve settled into our new neighborhood, we’ve met some terrific neighbors who really share in our vision. We’re so excited to become part of their community. The Barrister team genuinely believes it’ll be more than just a place to grab a meal and a drink, but a place for people to create strong connections to their neighborhood and each other. Cheers to that!”   

The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $1.2 million and create nine full-time equivalent jobs with the support of a $557,387 Michigan Community Revitalization Program performance-based grant. The city of Owosso, through its Main Street program, is contributing a $21,000 grant toward a fire suppression system for the building.    

“The city of Owosso appreciates the efforts of the Barrister team to get this project going, and the city council will be considering local incentives very soon to make sure this project gets over the finish line,” said Owosso Mayor Rob Teich. “A brewery is something Owosso has been wanting for some time, and we are happy to see a dedicated local family working to make that happen.”   

“Revitalization projects like these help build more sustainable and attractive downtowns. I am excited to see that the state is investing in the revitalization and redevelopment of a historic location in downtown Owosso, and I look forward to seeing how Barrister Brewing Co. will foster growth in our community and region,” said state Sen. Sam Singh (D-East Lansing).   

In addition, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development provided a $100,000 grant in support of the brewery. The city of Owosso is engaged with MEDC’s Redevelopment Ready Communities program.   

“In Michigan, we're continuing to make strategic investments that cultivate strong and continued business and economic development within our food and agriculture industries,” said Tim Boring, director, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. “Investments like Barrister Brewing and EVAPCO Select Technologies emphasize that our state has a talented workforce, diverse agriculture products, and a landscape primed for capital investments to move Michigan forward.”   

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