Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced two significant business expansion projects in Washtenaw and Macomb counties, totaling $27.75 million in capital investment and creating 164 new jobs across Michigan's vital automotive and defense sectors.
CRP Automotive is expanding its operations in Pittsfield to meet the growing demand for advanced remanufactured automotive service parts. This project involves a $4.05 million capital investment and is expected to create 28 new jobs with starting wages of $23.00 per hour plus benefits. The company received a $100,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Dan Schildge, CEO of CRP Industries, said, "Opening this new facility is a testament to our commitment to meeting the growing need for remanufacturing of complex mechatronics."
Concurrently, CQT Weapon Systems is expanding its advanced defense manufacturing and training operations in Macomb Township. This expansion, driven by increasing domestic and international demand, represents a $23.7 million capital investment and will create 136 new jobs, with starting wages ranging from $27.50 to $40 per hour plus benefits. The Michigan Strategic Fund board approved a $456,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant to secure this investment over a competing site in Ohio. Al Dustan II, CEO of CQT Weapon Systems, LLC, said, "MEDC's support has been instrumental in helping us scale our operations and pursue opportunities that will drive long-term growth, job creation and innovation."
These projects reinforce Michigan's position in the automotive and defense industries, which collectively contribute over $30 billion in economic activity annually and support more than 166,000 jobs statewide. Governor Whitmer stated, "Michigan is on the move and open for business, competing for and winning big projects in next-generation industries like defense and auto manufacturing."