MI: Five Growing Businesses Expand in Michigan, Adding Projected 1,376 Jobs

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The Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) Tuesday approved tax incentives for five companies choosing to expand or locate in Michigan, as well as one brownfield redevelopment project. The companies estimate the projects will generate up to $163 million in new private investment, adding a projected 1,376 jobs.

“Today’s MEGA board action highlights our economic-gardening strategy at work to help long-established companies such as Magna grow while partnering with newer companies, like Hearthside, as they enlarge their footprint in our state,” said Michael A. Finney, President and CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. “These new investments underscore once more Michigan’s tremendous talent and the continued growth of our auto supplier and food processing sectors ."

The MEGA board approved incentives to win the following projects for Michigan over competing states and countries:

• Hearthside Food Solutions LLC - The baking company that provides manufacturing and packaging services to several large national food brands plans to invest $17.5 million in its Kentwood and Grand Rapids locations to support new growth. The company expects the project to create up to 302 direct new jobs, resulting in a state tax credit valued at $1.2 million over five years. Michigan was chosen over competing sites in other states. The cities of Grand Rapids and Kentwood are considering abatements in support of the project. www.hearthsidefoods.com

• Magna Electronics Technology Inc. - The auto supplier and wholly owned operating unit of Magna International plans to invest $64.8 million to expand its manufacturing facility in Grand Blanc Township. The company expects the project to create up to 385 direct new jobs, resulting in a state tax credit valued at $2.1 million over five years. Michigan was chosen over competing sites in other countries. The township of Grand Blanc is considering an abatement in support of the project. www.magna.com

• Magna Steyr LLC - The auto supplier and wholly owned operating unit of Magna International plans to invest $765,000 to expand in Troy. The company expects the projects to create up to 200 direct new jobs, resulting in a state tax credit valued at $1.5 million over three years. Michigan was chosen over competing sites in other states. The city of Troy is considering an abatement in support of the project. www.magnasteyr.com

• Systrand Manufacturing Corporation - The supplier of products for auto engines, transmissions and axles plans to invest $19.2 million to expand in Brownstown Township and Rockwood to support growth. The company expects the projects to retain up to 162 direct new jobs, resulting in a state tax credit valued at $715,615 over four years. Michigan was chosen over a competing site in another state. The city of Rockwood is considering an abatement in support of the project. www.systrand.com

• Wayne County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority - The Wayne County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority will use state and local tax capture valued at $3.8 million to redevelop an underutilized and partially vacant shopping center that straddles the border between Allen Park and Lincoln Park. The former Farmer Jack’s site will undergo significant improvements in the façade and internal site layout to attract and accommodate new tenants to the site. The project will generate $10 million in new private investment and create approximately 200 jobs.

• Gordon Food Service Inc. - The provider of food-service products and solutions to businesses and retail customers is amending a Standard MEGA tax credit approved in June 2010 to increase the scope of its consolidation project in Wyoming. The company plans to include a new high-technology business initiative, which will result in the creation of 127 new jobs and $56.5 million in new investment. Since the project will be a new development on a greenfield site, the company has agreed to forgo a brownfield credit for a previously planned location, approved in August 2010. www.gfs.com

For the year to date, the MEGA board has approved agreements to assist the expansion of 39 companies that are projected to invest $758 million and create or retain nearly 9,000 direct jobs. It has also approved five brownfield redevelopment projects with projected new investment of more than $300 million.

The Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) may, under statute, provide a refundable tax credit against the Michigan Business Tax (MBT) to companies expanding or relocating their operations in Michigan. Tax credit agreements, awarded on the basis of the company’s strength of project, program guidelines and MEGA board approval, are earned over time by a company’s performance in meeting specified investment and hiring requirements.

The MEGA board is also empowered under statute to award Brownfield Redevelopment tax credits to support new business expansion projects on property that is contaminated, blighted or functionally obsolete.

About MEDC

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation, a public-private partnership between the state and local communities, promotes smart economic growth by developing strategies and providing services to create and retain good jobs and a high quality of life. For more information on the MEDC’s initiatives and programs, visit the Web site at www.MichiganAdvantage.org.