Area Development
Ferrous CAL Co., a leading provider of toll processing services for hot-rolled and cold-rolled steel and newly-formed affiliate of Ferragon Corporation, will locate its new $50.2 million steel coil manufacturing plant in Gibraltar, Michigan. The company plans to create 100 jobs. The company is establishing its new facility on an underutilized, largely vacant property on W. Jefferson Avenue.

As an incentive, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation today announced its Strategic Fund awarded the firm $6 million as part of a Michigan Business Development Program assistance grant. In addition, MSF and Wayne County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority also approved an Act 381 Work Plan for local and school tax capture estimated to be worth $4,511,454. Incentive assistance will allow the company to alleviate brownfield conditions on the property and complete the project including demolition, lead and asbestos survey and abatement, site preparation and infrastructure improvements. The city of Gibraltar has offered support to the project through the approval the brownfield work plan.

“The redevelopment of this brownfield site into a new cutting edge manufacturing facility will revitalize the community and bring new jobs to Detroit-area residents. It is thanks to many public and private partners that this project is taking place, and we are pleased to support that collaboration,” said MEDC CEO Steve Arwood. “Ferrous CAL’s decision to invest in Michigan underscores an economic climate that is more business-friendly than ever and a manufacturing talent pool that can compete with any place in the world.”

“We look forward to the startup of our state-of-the-art annealing operation in Gibraltar in late 2016. This process line is the first of its kind in North America and produces ultra-high strength steels which are the steels that the new lightweight vehicles made in Michigan are demanding for future vehicle production,” said Ferragon Corporation President/Owner Ed Gonzalez.

“Our decision to make this investment at the former McClouth Steel site could not have been made without the support of the state and local economic development community. We thank all the individuals and agencies involved for their efforts in bringing about this unique public-private partnership to rejuvenate this long-neglected site,” he added.

“The City of Gibraltar welcomes Ferragon Corporation as the new owner of the largely vacant former steel plant located on W. Jefferson Ave. in the City of Gibraltar. The recent purchase of this property by Ferragon Corporation provides a great opportunity for a partnership with the State of Michigan and the City of Gibraltar for a successful Brownfield Redevelopment project that will protect the environment, provide additional jobs and avoid potential blight,” said city of Gibraltar Mayor James F. Gorris. “On behalf of the City of Gibraltar, I look forward to a very successful relationship with the Ferragon Corporation from now and well into the future.”