Walbro, a global leader in engine management and fuel systems, will invest $11.4 million to expand in Cass City, Michigan. The project is expected to create 40 jobs.

The company has facilities in the U.S., Japan, Thailand, Mexico, and China, with nearly 2,000 employees including 350 in Michigan.

“It was a great opportunity to meet the new MEDC CEO and his staff at the county and state levels, but more importantly describe the Walbro vision as we transition from petroleum-based fuel to a hydrogen future,” said Walbro Executive Vice President and President of Fuel Systems Business Mike Coyle.

According to the Michigan Strategic Fund, the expansion will be supported by a $400,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. In addition, the village of Cass City has approved a 50-percent property tax abatement in support of the project.

“Congratulations to the team at Walbro on your tremendous growth and success. We appreciate this continued vote of confidence in our state and in our workforce, and look forward to working together to grow and add jobs for Michigan residents in the future. We’re proud to join our local partners as we send the message that we are working to build a championship economy in the Thumb and throughout Michigan, said Quentin Messer, Jr., CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and President and Chair of the Michigan Strategic Fund.”

Walbro, founded in Michigan in 1950 and headquartered in McLean, Virginia, manufactures carburetors, fuel tanks, fuel systems, ignition systems, fuel pumps, and more for the lawn and garden, recreational and marine, construction, agriculture and outdoor power equipment markets.

“With these new jobs being created and existing jobs being retained, Walbro will continue its future performance as the largest manufacturing employer in the Thumb,” said Tuscola County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Stephen Erickson. “This expansion project is great news for Cass City, Tuscola County and the entire Thumb area of Michigan. The Tuscola County EDC wants to thank all of the parties involved in the expansion, including the village of Cass City, MEDC, GST Michigan Works and DTE Energy."

Michigan was chosen over competing sites in Indiana, Ohio and Mexico.