Two manufacturers to invest $9 million, add 105 jobs in Michigan

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation today announced that two manufacturing companies were approved for incentives by the Michigan Strategic Fund through the Michigan Business Development Program to support their expansions in the state.

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Economic Development Corporation today announced that two manufacturing companies were approved for incentives by the Michigan Strategic Fund through the Michigan Business Development Program to support their expansions in the state. The projects are expected to generate up to $9 million in investments and add 105 new jobs in Michigan.

“Michigan is the number-one state for creating new manufacturing jobs, and these new expansions underscore an economic climate that is more business-friendly than ever and a manufacturing talent pool that can compete with any place in the world,” said MEDC President and CEO Michael A. Finney.

The projects approved today:

• Lauren Plastics, LLC, an Ohio-based full-service provider of standard and custom extruded and molded sealing solutions, has purchased the assets of ISO Trude, Inc., located in Spring Lake Township. Lauren Plastics plans to consolidate operations from Ohio with the operations in Spring Lake to continue providing customers with single and multi-material profile and tubing extrusions. The company will invest up to $7 million and create 71 jobs related to the project, resulting in a $300,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen over a competing site in Ohio. Spring Lake Township has offered a property tax abatement valued at $154,000. 
• Mahindra GenZe is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Mahindra Group, a multinational conglomerate with diverse operations that span industries such as aerospace, agri-business, automotive and financial services. The company plans to manufacture a new technology vehicle in an existing manufacturing facility in the City of Ann Arbor, investing up to $2 million and creating 34 jobs related to utility vehicle manufacturing. As a result the project will receive a $300,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen over competing sites in other states. The City of Ann Arbor is considering a property tax abatement in support of the project. Ann Arbor SPARK provided support to the project throughout the grant application process.

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.

Pure Michigan is a brand representing business, talent and tourism initiatives across Michigan. These efforts are driven by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, which serves as the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business growth, jobs and opportunity with a focus on helping grow Michigan’s economy.

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.