American Greetings - Designware
When American Greetings acquired Kalamazoo's Contempo Colors, it intended to move the headquarters for its Party Goods out of state. With strong political support from the City of Kalamazoo and Contempo Colors, Southwest Michigan First and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation produced a compelling proposal in just five days. As a result, the City of Kalamazoo was awarded a Michigan Economic Growth Authority incentive of $2.4 million for American Greetings. Kalamazoo became the headquarters for its Party Goods product line. This $40 million investment led to the creation of 250 new positions and the retention of 200 jobs.
Private Investment Generated: $40 million
Public Investment Generated/Projected: $2.4 million Michigan Economic Growth Authority Award
250 Jobs Created 200 Jobs Retained
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CeeTox, Incorporated
The Southwest Michigan Innovation Center's first resident resulting from Southwest Michigan First's "Stick Around" campaign, CeeTox, Incorporated, specializes in in vitro toxicity screening on potential drug candidates and chemicals. The company was formed in 2003 by James McKim, Ph.D. and four other former Pfizer scientists. In July 2003, the company was awarded $200,000 from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. It also completed a first round of angel investing worth $275,000. Later that year, Pfizer announced that it would provide some of the laboratory equipment needed by CeeTox to start operations.
In May 2005, North American Science Associates, Inc. (NAMSA), a contract research organization based in Northwood, Ohio, agreed to acquire CeeTox, Incorporated. The company will continue to operate out of its lab in the Southwest Michigan Innovation Center.
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Dana Corporation
In 2000, Dana Corporation's Heavy Vehicle Technology Center become an anchor tenant of The Groves Business Park. The facility is the research and development center for two global Dana units: Commercial Vehicle Systems and Off-Highway Systems. The world-class research center is a 150,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility and includes research and engineering technology. The facility employs more than 300 engineers.
Private Investments Generated/Projected: $29 million
Public Funds Generated: $8.9 million. Michigan Economic Growth Authority Award
199 Jobs Created, 101 Jobs Retained
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Eaton Corporation
When the property adjacent to Eaton Corporation's Heavy Truck Component Global Engineering facility was slated for use as a landfill, Eaton executives threatened to move the company out of the Kalamazoo area. Southwest Michigan First's efforts to land the Target Regional Distribution Center on the property assisted in keeping Eaton in Charleston Township. The project resulted in the retention of 600 engineering jobs locally.
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Flowserve Corporation
Competing with a site in California, Southwest Michigan First coordinated incentives for Flowserve Corporation to retain its Kalamazoo facility and expand operations. Since then, that facility has been named as one of Flowserve Corporation's three "Showcase Sites" nationwide. The Kalamazoo site, home of Flowserve's Fluid Seals Division, is now used as a model site for the corporation.
Private Investments Generated/Projected: $2.4 million
Public Funds Generated: $3.2 million Michigan Economic Growth Authority Award, $350,000 in job training
80 Jobs Created, 275 Jobs Retained
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The Groves Business Park at Kalamazoo Valley Community College
Development of this state of the art, Class A Business Park for education, business, research and technology was made possible by a state grant for road, sewer and water to secure the location of the Dana Corporation Heavy Vehicle Technology Center. The 248 acre park overlooks Interstate 94 while maintaining a unique natural setting with designated open space, walking paths, ponds and plant and bird sanctuaries.
Public Funds Generated: $1.2 million
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Kalamazoo's Michigan Technical Education Center at The Groves
The Michigan Technical Education Center (M-TEC), one of the anchors in The Groves Business Park at Kalamazoo Valley Community College, was created to be the workforce training provider of choice for southwest Michigan's businesses and industries. Southwest Michigan First secured contributions from local businesses to provide match funding of State dollars to build a 70,000 square foot state-of-the-art business training center, which was designed with input from 200 manufacturing leaders.
The center opened in January 2001, and by 2003, it welcomed 3,500 people into its training programs. Today, M-TEC works with local businesses to collaboratively design skilled training programs in fields such as advanced manufacturing, software, the health sciences and automotive technology.
Private Investments Generated/Projected: $6 million
Public Funds Generated: $5 million State grant
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Kalamazoo SmartZone
Southwest Michigan First partnered with the City of Kalamazoo and Western Michigan University to designate Western Michigan University's Business Technology and Research Park as one of 11 Michigan SmartZones. These special economic development zones are designed to stimulate the growth of jobs by creating clusters that link technology-based businesses with research institutions. This designation, which includes the Southwest Michigan Innovation Center, brings together research activities, academic expertise and training/support services for easy collaboration.
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Landscape Forms
When Landscape Forms indicated that they needed to expand, Southwest Michigan First was there to provide a support role to coordinate State and local assistance with incentives. The project resulted in a $2 million, 35,000 square foot manufacturing expansion that paves the way for additional business development.
Private Investments Generated/Projected: $2 million
24 Jobs Created
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Midlink Business Park
A partnership among Southwest Michigan First, the Charter Township of Comstock and Hackman Capital Partners of Los Angeles led to the creation of a State of Michigan "tax-free" Renaissance Zone surrounding the building. To encourage further development of the site, the partnership secured a $3 million State grant for the creation of new public roads, sewer and water lines to allow for development on the neighboring 150 acres of vacant land.
In addition, the 2.08 million square foot facility was split into two separate buildings. About 300,000 square feet of "dead" space was removed from the center of the building and replaced with a "Truck Plaza," making the two facilities even more accessible.
Private Investments Generated/Projected: $41 million
Public Funds Generated: $3 million
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Parker - Pneumatics Division
When Parker indicated an opportunity to grow in Richland Township or North Carolina, Southwest Michigan First worked with the State of Michigan and Richland Township to develop a MEGA incentive package to win the expansion that led to an 80,000 square foot addition to the existing facility.
Private Investments Generated/Projected: $22 million
Public Funds Generated: $1.45 million Michigan Economic Growth Authority Award, $478,000 Abatement of State Education Tax and $1.3 million Local Tax Abatement
81 Jobs Created, 219 Jobs Retained
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Pfizer Animal Health
When Pfizer purchased Pharmacia Corporation, Southwest Michigan First worked with community leaders to develop a supportive strategy to grow the Pfizer Animal Health operations. This included extending sewer capabilities to the campus.
Private Investments Generated/Projected: $142 million
100 Jobs Created
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Richard-Allan Scientific
Richard-Allan Scientific, a local start-up, outgrew its facility and was considering moving out of State. Southwest Michigan First assembled an incentive package that enabled the company to build a new facility and expand at Western Michigan University's Business Technology and Research Park.
Private Investments Generated/Projected: $7 million.
75 Jobs Created, 100 Jobs Retained
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Southwest Michigan Innovation Center
Southwest Michigan First lead the initiative to construct a 58,000 square foot life science incubator/accelerator as part of the Kalamazoo SmartZone. With more than a dozen companies, the facility has filled to 90% capacity in just two years.
Private Investment Generated/Projected: $3 million
Public Funds Generated: $9.5 million
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Stryker Corporation
Southwest Michigan First assisted Stryker Corporation site their new 400,000 square foot medical manufacturing facility and the addition of a 200,000 square foot research and development center at Stryker Instruments
Private Investments Generated/Projected: $50 million
Public Funds Generated: $8.5 million
135 Jobs Created, 948 Jobs Retained
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Target Corporation's Michigan Regional Distribution Center
Southwest Michigan First lead the effort to bring a 1.3 million square foot regional distribution center to the Kalamazoo Region. The organization secured state grants that provided for road, sewer and the creation of a municipal water system for Charleston Township.
Private Investments generated/projected: $100 million, $4.5 million Michigan Economic Growth Authority Award
Public Funds generated: $500,000 job training, $2.5 million State grant
900 jobs created
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Western Michigan University's Business Technology and Research Park
A $15 million lead incentive was generated by Southwest Michigan First to locate Western Michigan University's new College of Engineering and Applied Science in Kalamazoo. In addition, the organization, working with the City of Kalamazoo, the Kalamazoo Community Foundation and the Gilmore Foundation, negotiated and funded creation of the Business Technology and Research Park. The new school now anchors the park and creates unique opportunities for businesses and the university to collaborate.
Private Investments Generated/Projected: $33 million
Public Funds Generated: $109 million
74 Jobs Created, 150 Jobs Retained
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