Kalamazoo Times

New jobs and big investments are in the future for both Battle Creek and Benton Harbor Township, thanks to two business expansion projects that will help give Michigan's economy a welcome boost. The projects will generate a total private investment of more than $34 million, according to a press release from the governor's office.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-Mich.) and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MDEC) revealed that the Duncan Aviation and West Michigan Tool & Die expansion projects will create a combined 77 advanced manufacturing jobs, the release said.

"The businesses making these investments received support from the bipartisan Michigan Strategic Fund, one of several economic development tools that we worked across the aisle to establish," Whitmer said. "When we put Michiganders first, we can invest in our talented manufacturing workforce and help innovative businesses grow." 

Duncan Aviation, an aircraft maintenance and repair company, received a $488,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant to build an additional hangar, three support buildings, and a new vehicle maintenance building at the facility in Battle Creek. The project will create at least 61 high-paying jobs, the press release said. The city and the Battle Creek Tax Increment Finance Authority have pledged another $2.5 million to help build a tarmac around the new hangar.

"At Duncan Aviation, we are excited to expand on over 24 years of success in Michigan," Andy Richards, executive vice president and COO of Duncan Aviation, said. "This new facility will provide dozens of career opportunities for members of our local community and opportunities for advancement by our existing team members. We appreciate the ongoing support from the state of Michigan and the city of Battle Creek. We couldn't ask for better partners."

Joe Sobieralski, president and CEO of Battle Creek Unlimited, also praised the expansion project. 

"Ducan Aviation is an exemplary company, providing high-quality, good-paying jobs," he said in the release. "Duncan Aviation is always at the table partnering with the city of Battle Creek, BCU, and community stakeholders to develop workforce and economic development solutions. We are thrilled they chose Battle Creek to expand once again, growing to nearly 700 employees in the city of Battle Creek."

West Michigan Tool & Die (WMTD), a contract tool and die shop, received an $88,000 grant from the state and will use it to add a bay and rearrange its machining building. This is needed in order to keep up with increased demand at the facility in Benton Harbor Township, the release said. 

"The West Michigan Tool & Die team is excited to see this project go forward, which will expand our capabilities at our Benton Harbor Township facility, which is in a federal HUBZone and is certified as such," Victor Mowatt, CEO of WMTD, said in the release. 

"WMTD is also looking forward to offering our expanded capabilities to new and existing clients as we work to leverage our Minority Business Enterprise certification to offer supplier diversity to the market,” Mowatt continued. "MEDC, Michigan Works!, and the Cornerstone Alliance have helped us to maintain during the last few challenging years and emerge ready for growth. We look forward to new opportunities and team members."

The expansion at WMTD will bring 22 new jobs to the area. The company chose Benton Harbor Township over a competing site in Chicago for its expansion, the release noted. 

WMTD currently employs 15 people in Michigan but is gaining new opportunities through defense contracts, according to the release.