Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) approved support for two separate projects that will create up to 750 new jobs combined and yield nearly $18 million in private investment in Ann Arbor Township and the City of Portage.
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Torc – an independent subsidiary of Daimler Truck AG headquartered in Virginia – is establishing an engineering innovation center in Ann Arbor Township (Washtenaw County) with support from a $3 million performance-based Michigan Business Development Program (MBDP) grant approved by the Michigan Strategic Fund.
The company chose to create up to 500 new jobs and invest at least $5.59 million in Michigan instead of competing sites in Texas and Virginia.
The average salary for positions related to this project expects to be $177,000 per year, equivalent to an hourly wage of $85.10 an hour – well above the Regional Median Wage of $22.54 per hour – along with offering a comprehensive benefits package.
In addition to the MBDP grant, Ann Arbor SPARK has been actively working with Torc and the MEDC to provide support for the project by job portal exposure and marketing support.
The project will enhance Michigan’s best-in-nation automotive industry status and the respective supply chain while creating sought-after, knowledge-economy jobs in the growing R&D space.
Pro Services, Inc., a multi-skilled trades contractor offering installation, maintenance, and workforce solutions to industrial, commercial and residential clients nationwide, plans to invest up to $12.4 million to expand its operations in the City of Portage (Kalamazoo County) with support from a $1.25 million performance-based MBDP grant.
The project anticipates creating at least 250 new jobs to accommodate a heavy backlog of orders and take on new customers.
Starting wages for the new jobs created from this opportunity will be $28.07 per hour plus benefits, which is well above the Regional Median Wage of $21.52 per hour.
Clients for the company span nationwide, but are primarily based in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio.
In addition to the Pro U Journeyman Maintenance two-year apprentice program, the company offers tuition reimbursement and annual off-site training to team leaders, providing Michiganders a steady and reliable career with opportunities for professional development. ■