Projects expected to generate $45+ million in total investment in Saginaw and Shelby, Michigan, gained approval from the state’s Strategic Fund, reported the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

Morley Companies, Inc., a customer service leader that provides business process outsourcing, meetings and incentives, plans to expand into new space in Saginaw County, investing $5.175 million and creating 525 jobs.

As a result, the company has been awarded a $2 million Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Saginaw Future has offered staff time and talent resources in support of the project.

SAPA Transmission Inc. is a U.S. subsidiary of SAPA Group, a Spanish-based group of companies in the defense sector, developed transmissions for tracked and wheeled vehicles, the first in the market to be fully automatic, multi-gear and totally mechanical. SAPA plans to locate its North American headquarters in Shelby Township to grow its transmission sales within the defense sector.

SAPA already has made an initial investment and leased a research and development center, where the company is engaged in engineering, assembly, and testing activities. SAPA also plans to construct a new production facility in Shelby Township, set for a groundbreaking in fall 2018 and opening in year 2020.

The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $40.1 million and create 223 jobs, resulting in a $2.676 million Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. In addition, Shelby Township has offered a 50-percent property tax abatement in support of the project.

“Our commitment to Michigan reflects our confidence in the state’s workforce, industrial supplier base, and economic future and our recognition that it is the right fit for the next chapter in our company’s American story,” said Vice President at SAPA Transmission Deniz Balta.”

“SAPA’s commitment to Shelby Township is another prime example of the economic transformation taking place in Macomb County,” said Macomb County Executive Mark A. Hackel. “As a global leader in defense innovation, SAPA will feel right at home with the more than 600 defense contractors located here.”