The Michigan Department of Transportation announced on May 6 the award of a $1.6 million Transportation Economic Development Fund grant to the City of Auburn Hills. The funding will support infrastructure improvements connected to approximately 400 new jobs and $80 million in private investment in the automotive supply sector.
The project is intended to help address traffic concerns near a new Lear Corporation facility, which is expected to serve General Motors’ Orion Assembly Plant. These improvements are seen as important for supporting economic growth and job creation in the area.
Tom Tanghe, city manager of Auburn Hills, said, “Auburn Hills admires and appreciates the cooperation from Lear Corp. in working toward a solution to traffic concerns in the area in which they will be locating, and funding from MDOT not only addresses these concerns but also supports job creation and invests in infrastructure that will continue to support these jobs for years to come. Lear’s strategic selection of an Auburn Hills location will serve them well in delivering their customer, GM in nearby Orion Township, and we welcome them as a new corporate citizen.”
Lear plans to renovate its facility at 3600 Giddings Road this summer with operations expected to begin in the fall. In partnership with Auburn Hills officials, Lear will also contribute to converting an intersection at Taylor and Giddings roads into a four-way roundabout using funds from this TEDF Category A grant. The total cost for this roundabout project is estimated at just over $2 million, with MDOT covering up to $1.6 million or about 96 percent of eligible construction costs.
Ray Scott, president and CEO of Lear Corporation said, “Lear appreciates the collaboration of the State of Michigan, MDOT and the City of Auburn Hills in helping advance this important project. Our state-of-the-art Auburn Hills facility will support new manufacturing technologies for key GM vehicles assembled in Michigan. Lear is proud to support Michigan manufacturing through continued investment, innovation and technology. We are honored to work with customers like GM to help strengthen Michigan’s economy and long-term competitiveness.”
Transportation Economic Development Fund grants were created by state law more than three decades ago as part of efforts allowing agencies such as MDOT or local governments rapid response capabilities for road projects tied directly with business expansion needs.
The Michigan Department of Transportation manages nearly 10,000 miles of state highways along with more than 4,800 bridges statewide according to the official website.
