Catalytic projects generate $510 million in private investment, create nearly 1,200 jobs

•Pfizer invests $465 million for new production facility in Portage •Defense transmission manufacturer locating North American headquarters in Shelby Township •Business solutions provider adding 525 jobs in Saginaw

LANSING, Mich. – Projects expected to generate $510 million in total investment and create 1,198 jobs in Michigan gained approval from the Michigan Strategic Fund, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced today.

“Today’s projects will fuel new economic activity across Michigan, strengthen communities, and create well-paying jobs for our residents,” said Gov. Rick Snyder. “Pfizer’s investment is a major boost to the state’s pharmaceutical industry and further diversifies Michigan’s business environment.”

Global biopharmaceutical leader Pfizer develops and produces medicines and vaccines for a wide range of medical disciplines. The company is planning to construct a new, 400,000-square-foot sterile drug manufacturing facility in the city of Portage, where it will manufacture injectable drugs in sterile, self-contained rooms. The project is expected to generate a total private investment of $465 million and create 450 jobs over the next several years. Average income for the new positions ranges from $70,100 to $93,300. As a result of the expansion, Pfizer has been awarded a $1 million Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant.

Pfizer is also receiving a withholding tax capture for up to 10 years valued at $10.5 million through Good Jobs for Michigan. Of the 450 jobs that are being created, 354 are anticipated to qualify for the Good Jobs for Michigan incentive. Governor Snyder signed the Good Jobs for Michigan bills into law last July. The intention of the jobs-initiative package is to attract projects that result in a significant number of high-paying jobs with employees making more than the target regional wage. Good Jobs for Michigan allows the state to compete globally for transformational projects at a scale that has previously not existed in our state while also helping to further diversify the state’s economy.

Individuals interested in careers with Pfizer should visit http://www.pfizer.com/careers/en.           

Morley Companies, Inc., founded in 1863 and headquartered in Saginaw, is a customer service leader that provides business process outsourcing, meetings and incentives, and exhibit and display services to Fortune 500/Global 500 clients across a broad spectrum of industries. The company currently employs approximately 2,300 employees in locations around the country. Morley is experiencing significant growth and plans to expand into new space in Saginaw County, investing $5.175 million and creating 525 jobs. As a result, the company has been awarded a $2 million Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen over a competing site in South Carolina. Saginaw Future has offered staff time and talent resources in support of the project. For information on careers with Morley, visit https://www.morleynet.com/careers/.

“Morley Companies is one of the largest employers in the Great Lakes Bay Region and our community is extremely supportive and excited about this expansion,” said JoAnn Crary, president of Saginaw Future.  “We’re pleased to have worked with the MEDC and the Michigan Strategic Fund to support this significant job creation project.”

SAPA Transmission Inc. is a U.S. subsidiary of SAPA Group, a Spanish-based group of companies that has a long history in the defense sector dating back to 1573. SAPA provides high-efficiency solutions in the fields of mobility and power generation and power management. SAPA has developed a family of transmissions for tracked and wheeled vehicles, the first in the market to be fully automatic, multi-gear and totally mechanical. SAPA plans to locate its North American headquarters in Shelby Township to grow its transmission sales within the defense sector. SAPA already has made an initial investment and leased a research and development center, where the company is engaged in engineering, assembly, and testing activities. SAPA also plans to construct a new production facility in Shelby Township, set for a groundbreaking in fall 2018 and opening in year 2020. The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $40.1 million and create 223 jobs, resulting in a $2.676 million Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen over competing sites in North Carolina, Pennsylvania and South Carolina. 

“Our commitment to Michigan reflects our confidence in the state’s workforce, industrial supplier base, and economic future and our recognition that it is the right fit for the next chapter in our company’s American story,” said Vice President at SAPA Transmission Deniz Balta. “We thank the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, local leaders from Shelby Township and beyond, and others who helped to make today’s announcement a reality and we look forward to growing a successful partnership in the years to come.”

Shelby Township has offered a 50-percent property tax abatement in support of the project. Individuals interested in careers with SAPA should visit www.sapatransmission.com.

“SAPA’s commitment to Shelby Township is another prime example of the economic transformation taking place in Macomb County,” said Macomb County Executive Mark A. Hackel.  “As a global leader in defense innovation, SAPA will feel right at home with the more than 600 defense contractors located here.”   

MSF also approved the following:

• The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers as the fiscal year 2019 International Trade Centers contractor to provide trade promotion services to Michigan-based companies seeking export sales in the following target markets and regions: Brazil, China, Canada, Europe, Mexico and the Middle East.
• A Michigan Community Revitalization Program performance-based grant in the amount of $109,172 for Gemini Capital Management, LLC to renovate the second floor of a historic building in downtown Alma into three apartments. The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $415,872. The city of Alma is also supporting the project with an Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act tax abatement valued at approximately $88,800.

“The commitment by these global companies to grow and create jobs in Michigan will strengthen our communities by providing more and better jobs for our talented workforce,” said Jeff Mason, CEO of MEDC, the state’s chief marketing and business attraction arm that administers programs and performs due diligence on behalf of the MSF. “These projects will serve as catalysts for additional investment around the state.”

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.