Business expansion, community improvement project win state approval

Projects will generate $5.5 million in new investment, create 88 new jobs

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Economic Development Corporation today announced Michigan Strategic Fund approval of a business expansion and a community improvement project that are expected to generate $5.5 million in investments and create 88 new jobs.

“Today’s investments will lead to improved communities and help generate new job opportunities for Michigan residents,” said MEDC Chief Executive Officer Steve Arwood. “The decision by these companies to expand in Michigan demonstrates our state’s strong advantages as a great place to do business.”

Michigan Business Development Program:

Harloff Manufacturing Company, LLC, headquartered in the village of Paw Paw, manufactures custom and proprietary roll formed products that serve material handling systems, industrial distribution markets, housing and consumer food restaurant distributors. The company recently purchased a New York-based company established in 1942, and plans to acquire an existing facility in Paw Paw, investing nearly $1 million and creating 38 jobs. As a result of the expansion, the company has been awarded a $158,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance based grant. Michigan was chosen over the New York location as well as competing sites in North Carolina and Indiana. The village of Paw Paw is supporting the project through the use of municipal facilities and staff time at no cost to the company. For information on careers with Harloff Manufacturing, please contact MIWorks!/Kinexus serving Van Buren County.

Community Development Block Grant program:

The city of Lapeer has been awarded $309,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds for infrastructure improvements needed for the Lapeer Plating & Plastics, Inc. capacity increase project in Lapeer. Lapeer Plating & Plastics, established in 2010, is a Tier 1 automotive supplier specializing in injection molding and chrome plating. The company plans to make capital investments over a three year period to increase its production, investing a total of $4.5 million and creating 50 jobs. The CDBG funds will be used to make necessary repairs to DeMille Rd., where the company’s facility is located. The Michigan Department of Transportation has allocated an additional $691,486 in funding toward the project, and the city of Lapeer is contributing $8,840. 

“The City of Lapeer is pleased to partner with Lapeer Plating & Plastics, Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the Michigan Department of Transportation to facilitate and implement this significant street improvement project. The Lapeer Plating & Plastics expansion has real economic impact to our community and we appreciate LPP for investing in Lapeer,” said Lapeer City Manager Dale Kerbyson. “The impact of this MEDC-MDOT-City of Lapeer project will have a positive effect on thousands who use that street to get to work, home, and school. Thank you to everyone involved in making this happen.”

The project involved a cooperative effort between the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the Michigan Department of Transportation, the city of Lapeer, and the Lapeer Development Corporation. The road improvement will enhance the shipping function for the company. For information on careers with Lapeer Plating & Plastics, visit http://www.lpp-inc.com/jobs/.

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.