Area Development
UL LLC, a subsidiary of Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., a global leader in applied safety science, plans to build a testing facility in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The $72.7 million project is expected to create 61 jobs.

The new facility will focus on the its long-term strategy to support battery manufacturers by increasing the safety and reliability of its energy storage products.

“The projects approved today build on our statewide leadership in advanced and EV manufacturing, bring good jobs to Michigan residents, support vibrant communities, and help increase growth opportunities for businesses ranging from start-ups to established companies, and better prepare our state to compete for business attraction opportunities,” said MEDC CEO and Michigan Strategic Fund President and Chair Quentin Messer Jr. “We are grateful to Governor Whitmer, legislators, and local officials for their continued support for our programs, and we appreciate the hard work of the Michigan Strategic Fund board. Today’s MSF actions demonstrate our ongoing commitment to ensuring our work is making an impact no matter where our friends and neighbors reside across Michigan.”

The project is being supported by a $1 million Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant and a $500,000 Jobs Ready Michigan Program performance-based grant. The city of Auburn Hills also anticipates approval of a property tax abatement in support of the project. In addition, the MSF authorized an alternative State Essential Services Assessment exemption and the MEDC approved a State Education Tax abatement to be used in conjunction with the locally approved abatement.

“Companies up and down the supply chain are developing cutting-edge EV battery and mobility technology in the Detroit Region at a remarkable speed,” noted Maureen Donohue Krauss, president and CEO of the Detroit Regional Partnership (DRP). “As EV technology gets increasingly complex so will regulations and safety standards. UL Solutions is going to help companies bring innovative battery and EV products to market safely and is a great addition to our world-class automotive and mobility testing grounds.”

The UL enterprise is a global safety science company headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois, composed of three organizations, UL Research Institutes, UL Standards & Engagement and UL Solutions.