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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Three Michigan Firms To Invest $10.6 Million To Expand Facilities in Muskegon, Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor

09/19/2013
Three firms, ADAC Automotive, Firstronic, and Longbow Advantage, will invest a total of $10.6 million to expand their production facilities in Muskegon, Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation said the state’s Strategic Fund approved Business Development Program incentives to assist the three firms with expansion plans.

“Michigan’s leadership in making things and making things work shines through in these new expansions of our automotive, computer and IT sectors. The commitment of these companies to grow and create jobs here demonstrates the importance of our greatly improved business climate and infrastructure,” said Gov. Rick Snyder. “Today’s investments will all lead to greater economic opportunities for people across Michigan, drive future business investment and create more and better jobs.”

Firms approved for project funding include:

ADAC Automotive, a Grand Rapids-based direct supplier of automotive products, the firm manufactures body-color exterior door handle assemblies, exterior mirrors, fuel filler doors and rear access trim. ADAC plans to expand its facilities in Muskegon, Michigan, investing $7.9 million, with plans to create up to 97 jobs. As a result of the expansion, ADAC was awarded a $650,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen over a competing site in Mexico. The City of Muskegon plans to offer support to the project in the form of property tax abatements.

Firstronic, LLC, formerly a division of a German manufacturing company, the firm manufactures circuit boards for use by the automotive, industrial and medical industries. Firstronic was formed in 2009 by two individuals who acquired the operation and purchased the production facility in Grand Rapids. Firstronic plans to install additional high-tech automation equipment, investing $2.2 million and adding up to 121 new jobs. As a result, the company is receiving a $300,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen over competing sites in Mexico and China. The City of Grand Rapids will consider support in the form of a property tax abatement.

Longbow Advantage, Incorporated, a Montreal, Canada-based supply chain software development firm, the company that specializes in warehouse and workforce management software. Founded in 2002, the company plans to establish a presence in the United States by opening a facility in Ann Arbor. The project is expected to create 32 computer programming jobs and a total capital investment of $411,400. As a result, the company is being awarded a $250,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen over a competing site in Illinois. Ann Arbor SPARK offered an economic commitment to the project in the form of $1,000 of indirect support for the company.

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