Area Development
Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing North America, Inc., which has R&D facilities in Ann Arbor, York Township, Plymouth and Livonia, Michigan, will invest $32.5 million to construct a facility for its direct procurement operations in York Charter Township, Washtenaw County, Michigan, as part of an increased investment in engineering capabilities.

The firm’s Engineering and Manufacturing North America division is engaged in engineering design, vehicle evaluation, materials research, prototype building, powertrain tuning, safety/crashworthiness, regulatory affairs and advanced research for Toyota and Lexus vehicles manufactured or sold in North America.

The company plans to relocate its direct procurement operations from Erlanger, Kentucky, to its campus in York Charter Township. The expansion will require the company to construct a new facility and create 250 jobs in the region. As a result, Toyota has been awarded a $4 million Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen over competing sites in multiple states. In addition, York Charter Township is considering support of the project in the form of 12-year property tax abatement valued at $4.6 million.

York Charter Township provided tax incentives to Toyota for its past expansion in the community. Throughout Toyota’s efforts to secure incentives for its expansion, Ann Arbor SPARK was a critical partner in facilitating communications and meetings between the company and York Township. Ann Arbor SPARK also assisted with the application process, including helping Toyota secure letters of support and review tax information.