Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced three small business expansions in Ingham, Kent and Oakland counties on Monday that will bring more than $90.6 million in capital investment and create at least 127 new jobs.
The projects, supported by Michigan Business Development Program (MBDP) performance-based grants, are intended to strengthen the state's leadership in the life sciences, agriculture and mobility industries.
"Michigan is on the move and open for business, competing for and winning big projects in next-generation industries like data analytics and manufacturing," Whitmer said. "Today's announcement will create 127 new good-paying jobs and help cement Michigan as the best place to chase the next big idea."
Niowave, a Lansing-based producer of medical radioisotopes including Actinium 225 (Ac-225), plans to build an 80,000-square-foot facility in Clinton County to house up to six new linear particle accelerators. The expansion, supported by a $695,000 MBDP grant, represents a capital investment of more than $85 million and will create at least 73 jobs with starting wages of $30.29 per hour plus benefits, above the regional median wage of $24.34 per hour.
"Niowave was founded in Michigan more than 20 years ago, and mid-Michigan's deep manufacturing roots and highly skilled technical workforce make it the right place for our continued growth," said Mike Zamiara, CEO of Niowave. "This expansion will strengthen our ability to provide a reliable, scalable supply of Actinium-225 while creating quality jobs in Lansing and supporting the development of new cancer treatments."
Prism Controls Inc., based in Vergennes Township, plans to double the size of its 15,000-square-foot facility and invest in new equipment. The project, supported by a $210,000 MBDP grant, is expected to generate a total capital investment of $3,824,583 and create 28 jobs with average wages ranging from $22.61 to $36.22 per hour.
"We are proud to be growing in Michigan, where the state's continued support is helping make this expansion possible," said Eric Hansen, president of Prism Controls. "This expansion will nearly double our production capacity, create new opportunities for our workforce, and enable us to bring more of our innovative agricultural solutions to customers around the world."
Geotab, a global fleet telematics and data analytics company, has established a new facility in Madison Heights to support automotive reverse engineering, embedded systems development and advanced software development. The site will create at least 26 jobs with starting wages above the regional median wage of $24.69 per hour and represents a capital investment of approximately $1.8 million, supported by a $130,000 MBDP grant.
"Geotab's new facility in Madison Heights marks an exciting milestone as we expand our operations to support automotive reverse engineering, embedded systems development, and advanced software," said Neil Cawse, founder, president and CEO of Geotab. "We are proud to establish our presence in Michigan, tapping into the region's exceptional engineering talent pool as we continue driving innovation in vehicle data and sustainable mobility."
The MEDC noted that investment and job numbers represent commitments made by the businesses to the state, with terms to be formalized in performance-based project agreements and funds disbursed as milestones are reached.