Whitmer announces 161 new jobs, community revitalization project in SE Michigan

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) Thursday to announce two business expansion projects in Rochester Hills and Adrian and a community revitalization project in Detroit’s Brush Park neighborhood that are expected to create 161 new jobs and generate a total private investment of $21.7 million in Southeast Michigan have received support from the Michigan Strategic Fund.

“Today’s business expansion investments will help us continue growing Michigan’s economy, creating good-paying jobs, and building on our manufacturing strengths,” said?Whitmer.?“Michigan is on the move, with a low 4.4% unemployment rate and 174,000 jobs added year over year. These investments by the MEDC in BOS Automotive, Daejin, and 112 Edmund will create 161 jobs, generate over $21 million in private investment, and boost economic opportunity in Southeast Michigan.”

BOS Automotive Products, Inc. is a division of Baumeister & Ostler GmbH, a global automotive components manufacturer headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. The company currently has 66 employees at its facility in Rochester Hills.  

BOS is expanding production of its first-to-market, fully retractable electric protective cargo cover intended specifically for Rivian R1T electric truck beds. The company plans to expand at its Rochester Hills facility, including adding production square footage, additional dock access, a lab, and warehouse space.  

The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $1.1 million and create 50 jobs, supported by a $225,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen for the project over competing sites in Illinois and Mexico.

The project will further boost Michigan ‘s efforts to position itself as the global leader in the future of mobility and vehicle electrification. BOS believes in growth from within and allows employees to select the path best suited for their future and places an emphasis on providing opportunities to Metro Detroit residents.  

The city of Rochester Hills has offered to support the project through expedited plan review services and the waiving of fees. The city of Rochester Hills is certified with MEDC’s Redevelopment Ready Communities program. For information on careers with BOS, visit www.bos.de/en/career/your-career-at-bos.html.

“As the demand for electric vehicles increases, we are glad BOS Automotive Products, Inc. is able to increase production to meet the needs of Michigan’s innovative automotive industry,” said Ingrid Tighe, Oakland County director of economic development. “The addition of 50 new jobs in Rochester Hills with a strong path for career growth and development is a long-term investment in the people of Oakland County.”

Daejin Advanced Materials USA Inc., a subsidiary of South Korean firm Daejin Advanced Materials, was established in 2019 to research and manufacture special polymers for batteries. The company is heavily involved in the growing electric vehicle market and will be supporting R&D for multiple customers in the North American market.  

Daejin plans to establish operations in North American that will allow it to further develop and produce materials that support EV battery cells. The company plans to renovate an existing facility in the city of Adrian that will support existing companies already located in the Midwest, allowing the company to keep on pace to meet the tight deadlines of its clients. The city of Adrian is engaged with MEDC’s RRC program and is a Michigan Main Street Select Level community.

The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $12.3 million and create 111 jobs, supported by a $500,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen for the project over competing sites in Ohio and Tennessee.

The project will bring immediate advanced manufacturing jobs to the area and further boosts Michigan’s expertise within the advanced battery and electric vehicle industry. In addition, the project represents the company’s first location in North America and will allow the company to support future developments and expansions.

The city of Adrian has offered to support the project with finding candidates for the newly created positions. For information on careers with Daejin Advanced Materials, visit http://en.daejin2019.com.

“We are incredibly excited to see new electric vehicle related projects realize the benefits of a Lenawee County facility,” said Lenawee Now Executive Director Jim Van Doren.  “We heartily welcome Daejin Advanced Materials to our community and Lenawee Now is offering the local support for this project by providing Daejin Advanced Materials with assistance in recruiting their staff by promoting the job openings through all of our social media platforms and hosting job fairs in conjunction with Michigan Works Southeast.”

The 112 Edmund Place Redevelopment Project will include the construction of 16 new for-sale condominiums on a vacant site in the Brush Park neighborhood of Detroit. When completed, the building will include one- and two-bedroom units with rooftop terraces. The project also includes public infrastructure improvements including alley and sidewalk improvements, streetlights and utilities.  

The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $8.2 million and will reactivate vacant property into a community development that will provide needed housing in the neighborhood. The project is also expected to further catalyze economic growth in the area and will expand the tax base for the city.

The City of Detroit Brownfield Redevelopment Authority has received Michigan Strategic Fund approval of $86,352 in state tax capture for the reimbursement of brownfield remediation activities. The city is supporting the project through the approval of the local tax capture, valued at $446,384, and a Neighborhood Enterprise Zone tax abatement valued at $2.3 million. The city of Detroit is engaged with MEDC’s Redevelopment Ready Communities program.

“These three projects highlight the continued strength of our state’s talented workforce in the advanced manufacturing, R&D, and electrified mobility spaces, and risk-taking businesspeople expressing continuing confidence in Michigan. Equally important, MEDC’s continued focus on supporting innovative placemaking efforts in communities throughout the state is yielding results,” said?Quentin L. Messer Jr., CEO of MEDC and president and chair of the MSF Board. “We are grateful to the Governor, legislators and local officials for their continued support of these efforts.?Works remains and we are focused on doing that work; however, these projects move us closer to becoming an even better place for each of our 10 million-plus friends and neighbors to live, work, visit, play, and create futures.”