Newell Brands Inc., a consumer products company, expects to invest $7.3 million to expand its product design and test center by an additional 22,225 square feet at Western Michigan University's Business Technology and Research Park in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

The company recently acquired the consumer products company Jarden and needs to expand its design capabilities in order to accommodate the additional product lines, according to Southwest Michigan First. The company expects to hire 87 associates at its existing 40,000 square foot facility on Research Way.

As an incentive the state awarded the firm a $1.48-million Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Kalamazoo officials plan to vote Oct. 2 on offering the company additional incentives. The city could offer the company 50-percent tax abatements for 12 years valued at $1.5 million and an Industrial Facilities Tax Exemption.

The decision of Newell Brands to expand in Southwest Michigan versus other global centers shows the value its leadership team places on our region as a hub for design talent," Ron Kitchens, senior partner of Southwest Michigan First. "We look forward to growing our creative community with the innovation these 87 new jobs bring and continuing our growing relationship with the company."

Newell Brands is a global manufacturer of a wide range of consumer and commercial products, marketed under such brand names as Rubbermaid, Sharpie, Paper Mate, Rubbermaid, Sunbeam, Lenox and others.