Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to announce three business expansion projects expected to create a total of 150 new jobs and generate a total private investment of $30.4 million have received support from the Michigan Strategic Fund.
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The projects are in Kalamazoo, Auburn Hills and Owosso.
FlavorSum expansion doubles Kalamazoo facility, creates 51 jobs
FlavorSum LLC provides flavor solutions for the food and beverage manufacturing industry, helping companies go to market quickly and cost-effectively with innovative solutions for delivering great-tasting products that inspire loyalty among consumers.
The company currently employs 60 Michiganders at its facility in the city of Kalamazoo.
FlavorSum has begun construction on an expansion project that will add 35,000 square feet to its Kalamazoofacility.
With the increased footprint, FlavorSum will build out more technical resources and capacity to meet the needs of small, mid-sized and emerging food and beverage companies.
The new facility will house production, warehousing operations, lab space and specialized cooler space. Pilot plant and lab space within the new facility will support initiatives such as new equipment, improved shipping and receiving processes, and increased product storage.
The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $10 million and create 51 jobs with the support of a $500,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant.
Michigan was chosen for the project over competing sites in the U.S. and Canada.
The project will further boost Michigan’s agribusiness industry and bring immediate good jobs to the area, with the possibility of leading to future investment and growth in Michigan.
The expansion plan aims to have the facility operating at full capacity in August 2023.
In recognition of March being Food and Agriculture Month in Michigan, FlavorSum’s commitment further builds on the state’s ongoing support of its robust agribusiness industry, including support for the establishment of SnackCraft’s U.S. headquarters in Kentwood.
The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $41.75 million and create 185 jobs, supported by a $1 million Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant.
In October 2022, the Michigan Strategic Fund awarded Muskegon County a $60 million Strategic Site Readiness Program performance-based grant for the Southeast Regional Force Main project impacting communities in Ottawa and Muskegon Counties.
The infrastructure improvement project will boost Michigan’s agriculture industry and create up to 145 jobs, strengthening the state’s agriculture industry.
ABB Robotics expanding in Auburn Hills, creating 72 new jobs
ABB Robotics, a division of ABB Inc., is a leading robotic and advanced digital services company with 347 employees at its United States headquarters and manufacturing facility in Auburn Hills.
The company is currently executing a major expansion and renovation to its Auburn Hillscampus, to be completed later this year.
The enhanced robot manufacturing operation will feature an array of advanced manufacturing technologies that will be instrumental in onshoring more ABB robot manufacturing to the United States.
This will allow ABB to better serve its customers throughout the Americas, with more than 90 percent of the robots delivered to these regions coming from the Michigan operation.
The project is expected to generate an initial capital investment in excess of $20 million and create 72 jobs, supported by a $450,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant.
ABB chose Michigan for the project over a competing site in Georgia due to Michigan’s automotive leadership.
The project will bring 72 advanced manufacturing jobs with a longstanding, growing supplier and builds on the state’s work to position itself as the global leader in the future of electrification and Industry 4.0 technologies.
Auburn Hills plans to offer expedited permits and electronic billboard advertising in support of the project.
Sonoco Protective Solutions expanding in Owosso, creating 27 jobs
Sonoco Protective Solutions is a subsidiary of Sonoco, a leading provider of consumer protective packaging components and material handling solutions. Sonoco was founded in 1899 and has more than 300 locations worldwide.
Sonoco Protective Solutions manufactures protective solutions that prevent damage while also ensuring product integrity, serving customers in the pharmaceuticals, health and beauty care, powdered beverages, electrical, appliance, and automotive industries.
The Sonoco Protective Solutions plant is located in the city of Owossoand has 102 full-time employees.
To support new business in Owosso, Sonoco plans to purchase new steam chest molding machines, lease new fork trucks, add air compressors, transition to a newer production data system, and update the boilers in its Owosso plant.
The expansion will help meet the demand of current customers and provide the opportunity to secure new customers. The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $450,000 and create 27 jobs with the support of a $162,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant.
Michigan was chosen for the project over competing sites in Indiana, Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.
Sonoco supports the personal growth and advancements of its employees by offering on-the-job training and cross training that leads to pay increases. The project will bring immediate advanced manufacturing jobs with a large and growing manufacturer and could lead to future investment in Michigan. ■