Announcements
2019 Quarter 4
Logistics
924
$50,000,000
Scannell Properties is moving forward with its $50 million investment in a new 321,000-square-foot state-of-the-art distribution facility to be leased and operated by FedEx in Portage. Once at full capacity, this site is expected to provide opportunities for 924 full-time and contract employees.
Back Office
84
$1,700,000
GT Independence, a self-directed services provider, is growing its Sturgis-based team by 84 jobs with a $1.7 million investment.
Design-Based Manufacturing
80
$750,000
Dark Horse Cargo announced it will tow 60 new manufacturing jobs into Mottville Township along with a $750,000 investment in the production of trailers.
Design-Based Manufacturing
60
$9,600,000
TekModo Industries is bringing 60 new jobs and a $9.6 million investment to Three Rivers. The Tier 1 technology manufacturer assembles, supplies and integrates material and system technologies for the recreational vehicle, cargo, conversion and marine industries.
Agriculture/Food Processing
38
$3,900,000
Battle Creek will welcome 38 new jobs because of a $3.9 million investment in cookie-making equipment and building renovations by Snackwerks.
Design-Based Manufacturing
28
$2,100,000
Specialty polymers manufacturer, Polytek Development Corp., is moving forward with plans to expand its facility in Comstock Charter Township. This project will generate an investment of $2.1 million and create 28 jobs.
Design-Based Manufacturing
15
$7,200,000
Scientists around the world depend on LECO elemental analyzers, time-of-flight mass spectrometers, two-dimensional gas chromatography and metallography and optical equipment. The company continues to grow in St. Joseph with 15 new jobs and a $7.2 million investment.
Construction/Engineering
10
$1,005,000
Fiskars, a company dedicated to providing the highest quality construction and engineering services, is bringing 10 new jobs and a $1 million investment to St. Joseph.
2019 Quarter 3
Other
221
$80,000,000
After almost two decades of standing vacant in Vicksburg, an abandoned paper mill is getting a second lease on life. Paper City Development, LLC plans to convert the site into a vibrant, mixed-use community hub. When completed, the Mill at Vicksburg will be home to hotel and residential space, microbrewery incubator space, a beer garden, public greenspace, and more.
Logistics
30
$2,900,000
Midwest Fastener, a leading distributor of packaged fasteners for hardware stores, home centers and industrial markets is bringing 30 new jobs and a $2.9 million investment to Decatur. The company is headquartered in Kalamazoo.
Design-Based Manufacturing
29
$600,000,000
Graphic Packaging International’s commitment to sustainable packaging, exceptional quality and an unmatched cost position for producing coated recycled board resulted in a decision to invest $600 million in Kalamazoo. The company’s capability to produce 500,000 tons of coated recycled board is expected to be capacity neutral by eliminating higher cost production at other facilities and will be enhanced by its relationship with Western Michigan University’s Department of Paper Engineering.
Technology
15
$1,400,000
B&L Information Systems, which makes enterprise resource planning, or ERP, software, is investing $1.4 million to renovate and expand its facility in Bridgman. The expansion will create 15 new jobs.
Retail-Service
10
$3,735,000
In Sturgis, Boland’s Best-One Tire will construct a new $3.71-million, 100,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution center, bringing 10 new jobs to the community.
Design-Based Manufacturing
10
$2,400,000
Haven Harvesters/Spencer Manufacturing will create 10 new jobs in South Haven with its $2.4 million investment to provide growers with the highest quality of harvesters, precision parts and reliable service.
Technology
5
$100,000
Five new jobs and a $100,000 investment are coming to Kalamazoo from EXOIO, a company is focused on developing and scaling new consumer tech and tech-based medical device ideas for both its own products and unrelated third parties.
Design-Based Manufacturing
3
$65,545
Michiana Millworks, a company that customizes specialty commercial vehicles and trailers, is on track to add three more jobs in the Sturgis through its $65,545 investment in a building expansion project.
Design-Based Manufacturing/Medical Device
0
$6,300,000
Stryker Medical is adding a 15,294-square-foot addition to its existing building and 20,972 square feet of office space, in addition to new parking and a pedestrian bridge. This project will mean the investment of $6.3 million in Portage, strengthening Stryker’s continuing growth and footprint in the region. The new facilities would also retain 1,011 existing high-paying, high-skills jobs.
2019 Quarter 2
Design-Based Manufacturing
50
$600,000
Raybend continues to introduce new and innovative solutions aimed at keeping basements dry. These innovations have led to the company’s expansion in Kalamazoo.
Design-Based Manufacturing
37
$3,000,000
Miniature Custom Manufacturing expands in Vicksburg with the announcement of 24,000 square feet of new manufacturing space. The move supports the local injection molder’s growing customer base and product line as it anticipates the launch of several new products.
Higher Education
30
$20,000,000
Western Michigan University’s new state-of-the-art 67,000-square-foot Aviation Education Center in Battle Creek will provide additional instructional space for the College of Aviation’s soaring enrollment, fueled by demand for pilots and aviation mechanics.
Design-Based Manufacturing
20
$2,000,000
Forman Glass, LLC, a residential and commercial glass glazing company, has laid plans to relocate its current operations to Comstock Township. There, it will construct a new 25,200-square-foot facility for warehousing, fabrication and front office space.
Design-Based Manufacturing
2
$650,000
Precision Metals Plus has acquired a facility in Comstock Township to allow the custom steel fabrication and engineering firm to increase capacity.
Design-Based Manufacturing
0
$7,000,000
Continental Linen Service, a provider of linen and uniform services, has invested in new equipment to automate and streamline its services in Kalamazoo.
2019 Quarter 1
Financial Services
106
$9,600,000
United Federal Credit Union announced that it is expanding in Berrien County with several new branches over the next three years. The credit union will create 106 new jobs and make a $9.6 million investment as a result.
Agriculture/Food Processing
60
$6,000,000
A $6 million investment by NoBo Michigan, a cannabis business, will bring 60 new jobs to Benton Charter Township.
Service
34
Unknown
The Air National Guard Base in Battle Creek grew its presence with 34 new positions.
Design-Based Manufacturing
30
$12,000,000
The world’s preeminent manufacturer of sport biplanes, WACO Classic Aircraft, expanded its capabilities in Battle Creek to support 30 new jobs.
Medical Device
25
Unknown
Critical Care Diagnostics (C2Dx) Inc., a medical device company focused on providing solutions for the unplanned, life‐threatening medical needs of patients and healthcare providers, has located in Schoolcraft. The company will create 25 new jobs over the next three years and has leased 15,000 square feet of space.
Design-Based Manufacturing
17
$6,750,000
West Michigan International, a Holland, Michigan-based heavy truck dealer with three locations in Grand Rapids, Muskegon and Kalamazoo, expanded its operations to a new facility along I-94 in Texas Township. In addition to the final sales of new and pre-owned trucks, 17 new employees will work alongside existing staff to complete the manufacturing of trucks at the new site prior to sale.
Design-Based Manufacturing
12
$700,000
Custom hotrod restorer and manufacturer Dutchboy’s renovated and expanded its existing space in Vicksburg to bring 12 new jobs to the community.
Design-Based Manufacturing
11
$1,500,000
Torishima Pump Manufacturing selected Battle Creek to grow its North American operations. The manufacturing of pump and pumping equipment created 11 new jobs.
Design-Based Manufacturing
10
$8,300,000
Vail Rubber Works, a full-service roll center specializing in the manufacture of covers for rubber rollers and polyurethane rollers, invested $8.3 million in St. Joseph and created 10 new jobs.
Design-Based Manufacturing
2
$350,000
Alliance Injection Molding acquired an existing building on the north side of Three Rivers. The company will make a $350,000 investment in the space and add two new jobs while retaining three more.
Logistics
1
$260,000
Aequitas Mobility Services, an on-demand public transportation service for everything from trips to the doctor’s office to corporate travel, invested in its operations in Battle Creek.