Two Business Expansions Bring 117 New High-Tech, Manufacturing Jobs to Troy, Upper Peninsula

Digital programming services provider SAVIC establishing new operations in Troy, creating 100 high-wage tech jobs; Defense and aerospace supplier Creative Composites expanding in Rapid River, adding 17 jobs

LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to announce two business expansion projects expected to create 117 new jobs and generate a total capital investment of $2.2 million have received support from the Michigan Strategic Fund. The projects are in Troy and Rapid River (Delta County). 

“Today’s investments will create 117 good-paying jobs and invest more than $2.2 million into communities in the U.P. and Southeast Michigan, building on our economic momentum,” said Governor Whitmer. “I applaud these companies for their decision to invest here in Michigan. Let’s keep working together to win projects that bring good-paying jobs to every region of the state. Together, we will keep growing our economy, helping businesses expand, and building a bright future for Michigan.” 

“The decisions by these companies to expand in Michigan highlight the strength of our tech and defense and aerospace industries, and further demonstrate Team Michigan’s commitment to delivering long-term economic growth for all Michiganders in communities of all sizes and all areas of the state,” said MEDC Sr. Vice President of Regional Prosperity Matt McCauley. “We are proud to work with our local partners on these projects that will help to drive economic opportunity across Michigan. We will continue working to win projects, invest in places, and support our people as we encourage businesses of all sizes to ‘Make It in Michigan.’” 

SAVIC Inc., a provider of custom digital programming services and app developments, is expanding in the city of Troy. 

Headquartered in India, SAVIC services customers globally in the automotive and mobility, engineering, and life sciences industries among others. The company currently employs one Michigan resident at Automation Alley’s International Business Center in Troy. 

SAVIC is experiencing continued growth and plans to expand its presence in the U.S by establishing new operations in Troy. The expansion will allow the company to provide innovative services in systems, applications, and products in data processing to more North American companies.  

The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of nearly $1.3 million and create 100 high-wage jobs with the support of a $600,000 Michigan Business Development Program (MBDP) performance-based grant. The company chose Michigan for the project over a competing site in Florida because of the state’s global leadership in the auto industry. 

SAVIC emphasizes a positive working environment and works with each of its team members to create tailored positions that align with the individuals’ specific interests and also offers advancement opportunities. In addition, the company intends to utilize a partnership with Michigan Works! to reach potential talent. 

The project builds on the state’s work to position itself as the global leader in the future of mobility and vehicle electrification. It will bring high-wage tech jobs with a large and expanding global company and will help solidify the company’s presence and future business in Michigan. 

Since September 2023, SAVIC has been actively utilizing Automation Alley’s international soft landing center located in Troy. Upon connecting with SAVIC, Automation Alley facilitated introductions to key stakeholders, including MEDC and Oakland County. 

As part of its commitment to supporting international businesses, Automation Alley offers complimentary office space to companies like SAVIC during their initial establishment phase in Michigan. Over the past six months, SAVIC has been utilizing the space at no cost while exploring potential locations within the region.  

“We are proud to play a role in supporting SAVIC and other international companies as they navigate their entry into the Michigan market,” said Automation Alley Director of International Business Services Noel Nevshehir. “This initiative underscores Automation Alley's dedication to fostering global business connections and driving economic growth within our community.” 

Information on careers with SAVIC can be found here. 

  

Creative Composites, a manufacturer of advanced composite materials, is expanding its operations in Rapid River. 

Founded in 1994, Creative Composites’ primary customers are in the defense, aerospace, automotive, and commercial industries. The company plans to expand at its existing facility in order to gain market share in defense and aerospace. The expansion will include hydraulic press upgrades and the addition of other equipment as well as an aerospace clean room. 

The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $960,000 and create 17 jobs with the support of a $135,000 Micro Michigan Business Development Program (MMBDP) performance-based grant. The company chose Michigan for the project over a competing site in North Carolina due to the strength of the state’s talent base. 

“Creative Composites was started in part to afford people in the Upper Peninsula to have careers they may not otherwise have had the opportunity to,” said Creative Composites President Brad McPhee. “Our growth over the past three years has exposed us to many new customers from around the country, which provides logistical challenges inherent to be located in the U.P.  MEDC has shown over the past few years the same dedication in supporting us to better help overcome the distance challenge and keep the work here at home in the U.P. This funding will help us to expand our capabilities and remain competitive in the national aerospace and defense market. The entire Creative Composites team is grateful for the effort the folks at MEDC give to supporting us.” 

The project will bring immediate advanced manufacturing jobs within a key national security industry and will solidify the company’s presence and future business in the state. 

The Delta County Economic Development Alliance has offered to assist the company in finding candidates for the newly created positions and will assist with facilitating the possibility of a tax abatement. Information on careers with Creative Composites can be found here. 

“We are extremely excited with the announcement of the MEDC’s support of the Creative Composites’ expansion project in Rapid River,” said Delta County Economic Development Alliance Executive Director Ed Legault. “We are pleased that company’s project will remain in Delta County, as well as the 17 new jobs the project will create. Creative Composites will provide an example for our manufacturing community that not only can you ‘Make It in Michigan,’ but you can make it in Delta County and the U.P. as well. I am really proud the MEDC team understands the special needs that businesses in the U.P. have when it comes to expansion and staying competitive in their product offering. With the MEDC’s support we look forward to the project becoming a reality.” 

The MMBDP is designed to promote business growth, especially in rural areas or areas with high unemployment as well as target industries. The MMBDP provides grants, loans or other economic assistance to businesses for highly competitive projects in Michigan that have fewer job creation numbers than required by the original MBDP guidelines. 

  

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.