Whitmer announces 226 new jobs in key industries around Michigan

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) Wednesday to announce three business expansions that will create 226 high-wage jobs around the state have been approved by the Michigan Strategic Fund, signaling continued economic growth in Michigan and generating $41.3 million in private investment. 

“Today’s expansions will help us stay laser-focused on creating good-paying jobs, growing our economy, and continuing to lead in the advanced manufacturing and mobility space,”?said Whitmer. “Together, we can usher in a new era of prosperity for our state and continue to make strong economic progress going forward.”

Business expansions creating 226 new jobs Battle Creek, Livonia, Pontiac, underscoring Michigan’s leadership in automotive R&D, advanced manufacturing.

• Cives Corporation – 91 jobs in Battle Creek

Cives Corporation is a subsidiary of Viking-Cives, a full-line truck equipment company and one of the largest snow and ice control equipment manufacturers in North America. 

Viking-Cives plans to construct a new facility in the city of Battle Creek where it will house a manufacturing shop, warehouse and installation bay to support the company’s growth in the Midwest. The project is expected to generate a total private investment of $25 million and create 91 jobs with the support of a $755,300 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen over competing sites in Indiana and Ontario. 

The project will bring new well-paying manufacturing jobs to the community with positions including mechanical engineers, material handlers, machine operators, layout fitters, welders, painters, office positions, and more. The company believes strongly in promoting from within and offers its employees benefits, numerous training programs, and ESOP ownership opportunities in the company.

The city of Battle Creek has offered a 50-percent tax abatement in support of the project. For career information with Viking-Cives, visit https://www.vikingcives.com/Application.aspx 

“As a snowplow manufacturer, Viking-Cives will be a great compliment to Battle Creek’s existing manufacturing base. This is an innovative company with a great track record. And as an employee-owned company, they will offer excellent opportunities for our local workforce,” said Battle Creek Unlimited President and CEO Joe Sobieralski. “We are proud that they have selected Battle Creek as the site of the newest production facility.”

• International Extrusions, Inc. – 63 jobs in Livonia

International Extrusions, Inc., headquartered in Garden City, is a leading aluminum extrusion manufacturer in the United States, operating in Southeast Michigan since 1937. ? 

International Extrusions has acquired new equipment and plans to double the capacity of its extrusion facility in the city of Livonia, where it began operations at its new facility less than two years ago. ?International Extrusions will add a new aluminum extrusion press and fabrication machinery that will be a part of a state-of-the-art fully integrated manufacturing and packaging operation. This line will add capacity for an additional 25 million pounds of extrusions annually.

The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $12.5 million and create up to 63 jobs, resulting in a $189,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen for the project over competing sites in Maryland and the Carolinas.

This project has an aggressive timeline. International Extrusions is working with its Michigan-based contractors to have the 50,000-square-foot Livonia addition built by early January. The company plans on being in full operation by early April of 2022.

The aluminum extruded on this press will help fill the first in the United States cube technology powder coat facility by S.A.T., which is currently being installed at the company’s Garden City facility and going live next month.

International Extrusions supports personal professional growth of its employees including 50-percent tuition reimbursement for trades, computer and college education. The company promotes from within for all levels of positions and provides health benefits to its employees. The project will help continue to grow Michigan’s manufacturing sector and will provide job opportunities at various skill levels and education, helping to reduce barriers to job access within disadvantaged and limited-skilled populations. Individuals interested in a career with International Extrusions should visit https://www.extrusion.net/contact.

The city of Livonia is considering a property tax abatement in support of the project, and the Michigan Strategic Fund also approved a State Education Tax abatement to be used in conjunction with the local abatement. 

“The City of Livonia was selected as the site for International Extrusions newest operational expansion. The $12.5 million expansion will add a second state of the art press machine for fully integrated manufacturing and packaging of aluminum fabrications within our City,” said Livonia Planning and Economic Development Coordinator Jacob Uhazie. “We are excited to see their continued investment in our community and workforce.”

• LHP Engineering Solutions, LLC – 100 jobs in Pontiac

LHP Engineering Solutions, LLC provides engineering and technology solutions for the automotive, aerospace, medical and other related industries. The company has recently restructured with the goal of growing technology solutions around autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, connected vehicles and related technologies. The company currently has 53 employees at its office in Pontiac.

To accommodate its new growth, LHP plans to repurpose its existing engineering center in Pontiac into an electric vehicle, autonomous and advanced driver assistance system test lab that will include the development of advanced engineering training, autonomous vehicle training, and EV controls engineering training. The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $3.8 million and create 100 high-wage jobs with the support of a $500,000 Jobs Ready Michigan performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen for the project over competing sites in California and Indiana.

The project will continue to grow Michigan’s mobility and electric vehicle sectors and will further underscore the state’s leadership position in mobility and automotive R&D. Bringing the project to the state of Michigan grows and solidifies the company’s presence in Pontiac and supports the potential for future growth and investment.?The company plans to provide training to upskill newly graduated engineering students from universities in the area and also provides wraparound services for its employees including childcare assistance, transportation services, mentoring, and partnership with universities.

“On behalf of Mayor Deirdre Waterman and the city of Pontiac, we are excited to extend congratulations to LHP Engineering Solutions, Inc. on their expansion and welcome them to Pontiac,” said Pontiac Economic and Community Development Director Linnette Phillips. “We are pleased that their expansion includes 100 new jobs and $3.8 million in capital investment. Also, we especially acknowledge the MEDC for more than $1 million in incentives to further support this initiative.”

Individuals interested in careers with LHP should visit https://www.lhpes.com/careers. 

“Today’s projects send a clear message that Michigan is a place where businesses, communities, and people can take risks, succeed, and grow,” said?Quentin L. Messer, Jr., CEO of MEDC and president and chair of the MSF Board. “These projects reflect our commitment to taking a holistic, people-first approach to economic development while securing Michigan’s leadership in the industries that will drive our economy into the future.”