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Huntington Foam Invests $2.56 Million To Expand Operation In Michigan

Area Development News Desk

05/24/2012

Huntington Foam, a custom foam shape molder for the appliance, plumbing, furniture, electronics and automotive industries, plans a $2.56 million expansion its operations center in Greenville, Michigan that will initially create 30 new jobs.

"Huntington Foam is an important employer in the City of Greenville and its decision to expand there is a huge win for the city and its residents," said Michael A. Finney, Michigan Economic Development Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer. "This new investment shows Michigan's highly competitive business climate and tremendous workforce capabilities mean real opportunities for growing companies."

As an incentive to facilitate expansion, The Michigan Economic Development Corporation said the firm was approved for a Michigan Strategic Fund grant of $340,000 as part of its Business Development Program. In addition, the City of Greenville provided a 12-year property tax abatement to the project.

"I have never seen state and local government work so diligently and quickly to make decisions and offer timely proposals than I did with the state of Michigan and City of Greenville," Huntington Foam President Gary McLaughlin said. "We always wanted to stay in Greenville from the beginning, as our employees are the best in the industry, and if we had moved, we would have lost some of those valuable assets."

"We are excited to work with Huntington Foam and help them expand in Greenville," said Greenville City Manager George Bosanic. "We believe this expansion will provide a great opportunity for the company to continue to grow here and contribute to employment growth in our community."

"This project is another great example of why regional collaboration is so vital to our economic future," said Birgit Klohs, President and CEO, The Right Place, Inc, a western Michigan Economic Development organization. "Several area organizations came together to achieve a single goal ensuring that Huntington Foam and its employees remain in West Michigan."

Signed into law by Governor Rick Snyder, the Michigan Business Development Program provides grants, loans and other economic assistance to qualified businesses that make investments or create jobs in Michigan, with preference given to businesses that need additional assistance for deal-closing and for second stage gap financing.