Governor Whitmer Announces Defense Company L3Harris Technologies to Expand Operations in Cascade Township, Creating up to 50 jobs

• $2.58 million investment will bring new high-wage jobs to West Michigan, further boosting Michigan as a defense hub • Investment underscores Michigan’s leadership position in advanced manufacturing

LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) today to announce that L3Harris Technologies, a global aerospace and defense technology provider, is expanding its operations in Cascade Township with support from the Michigan Strategic Fund.

The project is expected to result in a total capital investment of $2.58 million and create a minimum of 34 jobs, and potentially up to 50 jobs, with the support of a $500,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen for the project over competing sites in Florida, Georgia, Arizona and Texas.

“This expansion by L3Harris will help us continue Michigan’s economic growth and recovery,” said Governor Whitmer. “Today’s investment will create good-paying jobs in West Michigan, further boost our state as a defense hub, and support business growth. We will build on our economic momentum to usher in a new era of prosperity for our families and communities.”

L3Harris supplies a variety of services, systems, and products to the commercial aviation OEMs and operators as well as the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. government intelligence agencies, NASA and other customers. The Cascade Township facility designs, assembles and tests “black boxes” of a variety of sizes, as well as surveillance and display equipment for aircraft and flight data monitoring services. The company currently employs 234 people at its Cascade Township facility.

L3Harris is looking to consolidate its manufacturing footprint and plans to bring operations from several out-of-state facilities into its Cascade Township facility, a project that will create up to 50 high-wage jobs, retain 33 jobs and expand the company’s current facility. The jobs being created range from entry-level assemblers to skilled craftsmen, with one professional planning manager.

“With assistance from The Right Place and their partners at the MEDC, we will expand our Grand Rapids operations to meet our growing, diverse client base,” said L3Harris Technologies President of Commercial Aviation Alan Crawford. “The Greater Grand Rapids region offers the skilled employee base and thriving business environment we need, so we look forward to our continued success here.”

The project will continue to grow Michigan’s advanced manufacturing sector and will further boost the state as a hub for commercial and defense-related aviation manufacturing and R&D. L3Harris offers excellent benefits and prioritizes hiring from within, offering on-the-job training programs that create pathways to promotion. In addition, the company’s expansion in Cascade Township has the potential to result in additional investment in Michigan in the future.

“Congratulations to the team at L3Harris on your growth and success. We appreciate this continued vote of confidence in our talented workforce and competitive business climate here in Michigan,” said Quentin L. Messer, Jr., CEO of MEDC and President and Chair of the MSF Board. “We’re pleased to work with our partners at The Right Place and Cascade Township to bring these high-wage jobs to the area, and we look forward to working with the company as it continues to grow and add jobs in Michigan.”

The Right Place worked closely with L3Harris Technologies and MEDC to ensure the company continued its growth in the region rather than out-of-state locations.

“L3Harris Technologies’ decision to expand its Cascade Township operations over competing regions across the country is a win for our region,” said Randy Thelen, President and CEO, The Right Place, Inc. “Greater Grand Rapids competes on both a national and global scale for hi-tech, innovative companies like L3Harris. Winning projects of this caliber further strengthens our defense and R&D cluster, while bringing high-paying jobs to our community.”

Individuals interested in careers with L3Harris should visit here.

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.