Impact You Can See —
Public and Private Partnerships
​Experience how public-private partnerships create sustained commitment and steady progress that transforms communities with lasting economic growth.
tesa tape
Originally opening its first plant outside of Europe in 1982, tesa tape grew its West Michigan footprint in 2021 with a $36 million expansion of its Sparta plant—supported by a 100% tax abatement and a $1 million Michigan Business Development Program grant. In 2024, with assistance from The Right Place and an additional $500,000 MBDP performance-based grant, the company moved its North American headquarters from Charlotte, NC to downtown Grand Rapids, bringing about 60 high-wage jobs and $1.2 million in investment.
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Sartorius
In Ann Arbor, Michigan, Sartorius redeveloped an obsolete building into a cutting-edge facility with the help of Brownfield Tax Increment Financing (TIF), a PA 198 Property Tax Abatement, and a Michigan Business Development Program (BDP) grant from the MEDC. Additional support included a $100,000 MEDC grant for marketing and brownfield preparation, plus MDOT’s Transportation Economic Development Fund (TEDF) assistance to repave Research Park Drive—ensuring modern infrastructure for the site.
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Northern Hardwoods Facility Upgrades
A $4.75 million investment, supported by the MEDC and USDA, modernized Northern Hardwoods’ Houghton County sawmill with a biomass boiler and steam turbine, cutting emissions, lowering costs, and generating on-site power. The project preserved 85 good-paying jobs and strengthened the U.P.’s role in Michigan’s forest products supply chain.
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Detroiter goes from Novice to Developer with DEGC support
The Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC) successfully supported Detroit resident Eddy Carrington's transition from single-family redevelopment to completing an $8.2 million mixed-use development through comprehensive technical assistance and financing guidance. DEGC helped Carrington navigate critical tax incentives including PA 210 tax abatements, MEDC CRP assistance, and Brownfield TIF support, while providing strategic coaching on city council presentations, application preparation, and proforma adjustments to ensure the Ribbon Project met both financial and community development objectives in East English Village.​
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Acrisure
Acrisure’s $33 million headquarters expansion in downtown Grand Rapids — supported by Michigan’s Good Jobs for Michigan program and a Michigan Business Development Program grant — created more than 400 new high-paying jobs while relocating 280 existing positions. Since then, the company has continued its rapid growth, raising over $3 billion in total funding to accelerate its transformation into an AI-powered financial services platform.
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Pro Services Expansion
Pro Services Inc. is investing more than $14 million to expand its operations in Kalamazoo County. The project, supported by a $1.25 million Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant, will create at least 250 high-quality jobs and help address the skilled trades talent shortage. This collaborative effort strengthens Southwest Michigan’s manufacturing economy and keeps the region competitive for future growth.
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Capital City Market Block 600
Capital City Market has transformed downtown Lansing into a hub of community, commerce, and connection. Once a food desert, the mixed-use development now offers fresh, locally sourced groceries, housing, retail, and hospitality in one place. By showcasing more than 1,000 Michigan-made products and supporting local farmers and artisans, the market is fueling small business growth and neighborhood vitality.
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Genesee County: An HVAC Hotspot
Genesee County’s HVAC industry is thriving—adding over 900 jobs in the past decade (a 73 % increase) and employing at nearly double the national concentration, buoyed by public and private investment, innovation, and regional workforce development. Major local expansions include Fluid Cooling Systems’ $2.5 million investment expected to add 82 jobs, and Custom Air Handling Solutions’ purchase of a 50,000-sq-ft Burton facility, creating 68 new positions with $5.28 million in capital investment. The county’s appeal stems from its skilled labor force, industrial heritage, infrastructure, and central location, while training programs at Mott Community College and the Genesee Career Institute are cultivating future tradespeople and helping high school students earn college credits at no cost.
Defense Company Veptos Investing Over $19M in Lapeer County
Veptos is a supplier at the forefront of defense innovation that specializes in transforming military vehicles with advanced tailored solutions that enhance performance, adaptability, and resistance on the modern battlefield. The company is establishing a new vehicle R & D and manufacturing center in Lapeer County that is expected to create 420 new jobs and nearly $20 million in capital investment. The project was supported by a $5 million Michigan Business Development Program (MBDP) performance-based grant approved by the MSF.
Fessler & Bowman’s Investment in the Future
Fessler & Bowman’s new 102,000-sq-ft Grand Blanc Township headquarters underscores its commitment to workforce development, bolstered by two Michigan Going PRO Talent Fund grants—$175,840 in 2022 and $498,000 in 2024—that trained over 130 apprentices and supported hiring from underrepresented groups.
Flint Commerce Center Moves to Next Phase after Bunzl Fills up First Building
Flint Commerce Center’s first 330,000-sq-ft industrial building—part of a broader $300 M redevelopment of the former Buick City—is now fully leased to Victory Packaging and Bunzl, bringing over 100 new jobs and lighting the way for the next phase. The project is being advanced through a publicly supported framework: an amended Brownfield Plan enabling tax-increment financing (TIF) that allows Ashley Capital to recoup 80% of incremental taxes over about 25 years, and ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds have also been allocated to bolster the site’s redevelopment efforts.
Gentex Expansion
Gentex Corporation is investing $300 million to expand its Zeeland operations, supported by $11.1 million in state incentives from the MEDC and 12-year Industrial Facilities Tax Exemptions from local governments. The project creates 500 new high-tech jobs while retaining the region’s largest employer. Competing with states including Alabama, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, Michigan secured the project through a competitive incentive package that underscores the importance of coordinated state and local tools in keeping major manufacturers in the state.
'Building’ off a Strong Foundation
In 2022, Genesee County announced five major development projects totaling $363 million in private investment and 393 new jobs, supported by significant public and philanthropic incentives. Highlights include the Buick City redevelopment in Flint—led by Ashley Capital—with up to 3.5 million sq. ft. of industrial space, aided by an $8.5M performance-based loan from the Michigan Strategic Fund, $6.5M in local ARPA funds, and a $2M Mott Foundation grant. Other projects include ACI Plastics’ $10M expansion to create Michigan’s largest plastic-film recycling facility; Mara Technologies’ $20.8M U.S. headquarters in Grand Blanc Township; and American Recreational Products’ $4M electric pontoon and pedal boat plant in Fenton. Additional developments, like The Grand on University and the new Fessler & Bowman headquarters, further reflect the county’s growth, driven by site readiness, infrastructure investment, and targeted financial support.
Southeast Regional Forcemain
The Southeast Regional Force Main project received $60 million from Michigan’s Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve (SOAR) fund to construct a 20-mile wastewater pipeline connecting Ottawa and Muskegon counties. This infrastructure investment unlocks $187 million in private investment from food processors including fairlife, Applegate Dairy, and Swanson Pickle Company, creating 145 new jobs. The project demonstrates how state infrastructure investments can catalyze significant private sector growth in Michigan’s food processing industry.​​​
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Snackcraft
SnackCraft’s $29.9 million expansion in Kentwood was supported by the MEDC’s Business Development Program (BDP) in partnership with The Right Place. State support, combined with a 50% property tax abatement under PA198 from the City of Kentwood, secured the 186,000-square-foot expansion over competing out-of-state sites. The project establishes SnackCraft’s North American manufacturing hub in West Michigan and creates 37 new jobs in the growing food processing sector.​​​
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Wacker Chemical Corporation – North American Innovation Center & Regional Headquarters
Wacker Chemical Corporation invested $51 million to establish its North American Innovation Center and Regional Headquarters in Pittsfield Charter Township, creating 70 high-skilled jobs and relocating staff from its Adrian site. Supported by a $1 million state grant and a 50 percent property tax abatement, the project boosted the region’s advanced manufacturing and innovation economy.​​​
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KLA – Second U.S. Headquarters & R&D Campus
KLA-Tencor’s decision to build a major R&D facility in Ann Arbor brought hundreds of high-paying tech jobs and significant investment to the region. The project strengthened the area’s position as a hub for semiconductor research and advanced manufacturing.
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Damian’s Craft Meats - First USDA Slaughterhouse in Washtenaw County
The approval of the USDA-certified slaughterhouse site plan in Washtenaw County provided local farmers with vital, nearby meat processing services while bolstering Manchester’s economy. It is expected to generate additional tax revenue, utility sales, and jobs, enriching commerce and community vitality in the area.
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Flex-N-Gate
Pro Services Inc. secured a $1.25 million performance-based grant from the MBDP to support its $12.4 million expansion in Portage. The project will create at least 250 new jobs and demonstrates how state incentives help retain and grow Michigan companies in competitive markets.​
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McCamly Plaza Hotel Redevelopment
The $75 million renovation of the McCamly Plaza Hotel, now reopened as DoubleTree by Hilton, was supported by $7.5 million from the MEDC’s Community Revitalization Program (MCRP) as a performance-based loan at 1% interest. Combined with $2 million in direct state funding and $3.2 million in local OPRA tax abatements, the incentives helped revitalize downtown Battle Creek’s premier hotel and conference facility. The MCRP loan demonstrates how state gap financing tools can transform obsolete properties into economic drivers.​
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Kalamazoo Farmers Market Expansion
The $6.3 million Kalamazoo Farmers Market project received support from the MEDC’s Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) Program to help fund the downtown renovation. The grant, combined with local resources, is creating a modern facility that will serve as an economic anchor for downtown Kalamazoo. ​
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Thrive in Southwest Michigan Regional Talent Attraction Campaign
Thrive in Southwest Michigan is a regional talent attraction campaign spanning seven counties that aims to attract and retain top talent. Backed by a partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the campaign extends the reach of the state’s You Can in Michigan initiative, connecting professionals with opportunities in technology, healthcare, education, and advanced manufacturing. Targeting young professionals and mid-career talent in neighboring states, the Thrive campaign promotes the region’s career potential alongside its exceptional quality of life. With short commutes, affordable living, vibrant arts and culture, and access to Lake Michigan, Southwest Michigan is a great place to live, work, play, and thrive!
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Transforming Detroit: The Cadillac Stamping Plant Redevelopment
​The $48 million redevelopment of the former Cadillac Stamping Plant transformed a century-old vacant site into a 684,000-square-foot industrial facility, creating 450 automotive manufacturing jobs. The project received $3.3 million in state tax capture through PA 198 and Brownfield TIF, along with $10 million in local Brownfield Plan support. This redevelopment demonstrates how coordinated state and local brownfield incentives can remediate contaminated sites while attracting new manufacturing investment.
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$22.6M mixed-use project brings affordable housing to Detroit's Broadway District
The $22.6 million Reckmeyer development in Detroit’s Broadway Historic District combines a $4.75 million RAP 2.0 grant from the MEDC with $7.3 million in Brownfield TIF financing and a $3.8 million city tax abatement. Led by developer Roger Basmajian, the project preserves two historic building facades while constructing an eight-story residential structure with 80 apartments. Twenty percent of the units will be offered at deeply affordable rates of around $1,000 per month, blending historic preservation with inclusive housing in a key downtown corridor.​​
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​Mayor Duggan joins city officials, developers to celebrate the grand opening of brand-new multi-use apartment building at 655 W. Willis in Midtown
​Developer Richard Hosey’s $10 million mixed-income housing project at 655 W. Willis in Detroit received a $950,000 Community Revitalization Grant from the MEDC and a Neighborhood Enterprise Zone tax abatement from the City of Detroit. The 36-unit development exceeded affordability requirements by reserving 25% of units for households earning up to 80% of the area median income, transforming a vacant Midtown lot into new housing with ground-floor retail.​
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Detroit Means Business Launches the Detroit District Business Hub for Local Entrepreneurs
Detroit Means Business launched the Detroit District Business Hub with support from the MEDC’s Small Business Support Hub (SBSH) program. The initiative connects small business owners with local District Business Liaisons who provide guidance on licensing, permitting, funding, and city resources. This MEDC-supported program delivers free, accessible business assistance directly in Detroit neighborhoods, reducing barriers for entrepreneurs.
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Miller Industries Expands Fenton Township, Michigan, Manufacturing Campus
​Miller Industries’ $11 million expansion in Fenton Township, which adds manufacturing, warehouse, and office space and is expected to create 115 new jobs, is being propelled forward with strategic public support: a performance-based grant through the Michigan Business Development Program (BDP) and a property tax abatement from Fenton Township, alongside coordination and assistance from the Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance and MEDC to navigate both state and local incentives
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