The Michigan Economic Development Corp. today announced that Fuyao Automotive North America Inc. will be establishing a new facility in Plymouth Township, with support from the Michigan Strategic Fund. The expansion was recently given state approval and will generate a total private investment of more than $75 million, as well as creating 683 jobs in Michigan.
“Today’s projects demonstrate that we’re committed to sparking business growth, revitalizing communities and creating more and better jobs for Michiganders around the state,” says Steve Arwood, MEDC’s CEO, which administers incentives and programs on behalf of MSF. “Fuyao’s decision to further expand in Michigan rather than other locations means good jobs for our residents and underscores the strength of the state’s manufacturing talent.”
Fuyao Automotive North America is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fuyao Group, China’s largest automotive glass supplier and the second largest glass supplier worldwide. The company supplies automotive glass to nearly every automotive OEM around the world, and is expanding its Plymouth Township facility to open a new manufacturing operation and keep up with growth. The company has been awarded a $1 million Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant, after Michigan was chosen over a competing site in Ohio.
Additionally, Martinrea Jonesville LLC, part of Canada-based Martinrea International plans to retrofit its existing facility to add production of stamped welded assemblies in Jonesville. The company, which produces steel and aluminum metal parts, assemblies, modules, and fluid management systems, will invest $6.8 million and create 123 jobs with the expansion. The company has been awarded a $615,000 MBDP performance-based grant. The city of Jonesville has offered support to the project in the form of in-kind services valued at $20,000. In the past five years, Martinrea has expanded operations in Michigan and across the U.S, employing more than 5,160 people at 14 facilities nationwide and 1,560 at Michigan locations. Martinrea recently announced, along with the MEDC, it would build an all- new technical center in Auburn Hills to expand its research and development activities. That project is expected to be completed this summer.
Poultry Management Systems, Inc. — a manufacturer of control systems and software used by the poultry industry worldwide — has also received approval to construct a new facility in Vergennes Township following changing industry standards requiring poultry farms to transition to a cage-free environment by 2025. The facility will require a $2 million investment and create 27 jobs, and the company has been awarded a $175,000 MBDP performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen over competing sites in North Carolina, Georgia and Iowa. Vergennes Township has offered support to the project in the form of property tax abatement.
The MSF also allocated $56,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds to Chippewa County, which will co-finance a planning study entitled the Eastern Upper Peninsula Transportation-Logistics Strategy. This project will enable the region to take another step toward achieving objectives outlined in its Michigan Regional Prosperity Initiative plan. Chippewa County’s grant will be matched by a combination of funds from the Eastern Upper Peninsula Regional & Development Commission and the Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation. It is anticipated that the study will lead to the development of assets that will attract new companies and jobs to the Eastern Upper Peninsula.
MEDC is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness, and community and talent development, with a focus on growing Michigan’s economy.
