Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm Wednesday announced grants totaling $1.04 million to the city of Greenville and the village of Sheridan to support local manufacturing expansions and more than 100 new jobs.
State officials also announced an $112,928 grant that will support an expansion into wind energy by agricultural supplier Johnson System Inc. in Marshall.
The grants are made available by the Michigan Economic Development Corp. with funds provided by the federal Community Development Block Grant program.
“Dynamic communities are necessary for Michigan’s continued economic success,” Granholm said. “These kinds of projects help build the 21st century infrastructure that can support new business investment and job growth.”
A grant of $930,000 to Greenville will support the purchase of machinery and equipment by Zero l LLC to bring a production line to a leased facility in Greenville instead of China. Zero l, a designer and manufacturer of contract furniture and performance seating with five employees in Michigan, is investing $3.4 million in the project which is expected to create an additional 93 new jobs in two years.
A $108,000 grant to Sheridan will allow injection-molder Wright Plastic Products to operate more cost-effectively by hooking up to the village sewer system. The company, with 29 employees in Sheridan, will invest $275,000 in machinery and equipment needed to accommodate new business opportunities. The village will contribute $14,100 toward the project which is expected to create 11 new jobs.
“This showcases the importance of the CDBG program in helping communities facilitate business development and job growth,” MEDC president and CEO Greg Main said. “The MEDC is pleased to partner with local and county officials in strengthening the regional economy.”
The MEDC is able to award approximately $40 million in federal CDBG funds each year. There are 1,655 local governments within the state eligible to apply for these funds. Projects are approved contingent upon compliance with state and federal requirements.
State officials also announced an $112,928 grant that will support an expansion into wind energy by agricultural supplier Johnson System Inc. in Marshall.
The Marshall project, meanwhile, will allow JSI to build towers for wind turbines for residential and private business use, is expected to generate $279,000 in private investment and create 15 new jobs.
JSI was established in 1983 and is a leading manufacturer of catwalks, towers and support structures, as well as bean and grain ladders. JSI’s products are sold to agricultural customers worldwide.
“The city of Marshall made the application process painless,” said Howard Johnson, vice president of Johnson System Inc. “They helped us with each step. We are looking forward to business growth at the facility on Industrial Road.”
The MEDC administers the state’s CDBG funds received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. These funds are used to provide grants and loans to eligible counties, cities, villages and townships -- typically those with populations less than 50,000 -- for economic development, community development and housing projects. Larger communities receive block grant funds directly from the federal government.
The MEDC, a partnership between the state and local communities, promotes smart economic growth by developing strategies and providing services to create and retain good jobs and a high quality of life. For more information on MEDC initiatives and programs, visit the Web site at www.TheMEDC.org.
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