Great Lakes Wire

The expansion of two business operations in the state will facilitate 68 additional jobs through a $7.7 million private investment backed by the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF).

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) said the businesses receiving the investment are located in the cities of Cadillac and Fenton, Whitmer's office said in a release.

"The decisions by American Recreational Products and Rexair to expand in Michigan highlight the enduring strength of Michigan's value proposition: talented workforce, diverse industries and the business environment focused on long-term economic growth," Quentin L. Messer Jr., CEO of MEDC and president and chair of the MSF board, said in the release. "These projects are representative of our holistic, people-first approach to economic development that rewards risk-takers while further securing Michigan's leadership in the industries that will propel our economy into the future and benefit more Michiganders."

American Recreational Products, an entity of National Composites, concluded that its facility in Owosso could no longer expand and chose Fenton as its site for further growth, Whitmer's office said.

"National Composites is very excited to expand into the great city of Fenton. The opening of American Recreational Products will be a great new step for our company," National Composites CEO Adam Fenton said in the release. "It allows us to have a more targeted focus on the production of our proprietary boat lines, Paddle Wheeler and BOKA Marine, as well as open up more capacity and job creation opportunities at our other Michigan facilities."

American Recreational Products' expansion is backed by a $250,000 Michigan Business Development Program grant that is expected to bring 59 new jobs, Whitmer's office said. Minnesota and Missouri were also considered as sites for the expansion, but Michigan ultimately proved most appealing.

Rexair, a vacuum cleaner manufacturer with its headquarters in Troy, will be expanding its Cadillac facility using the grant money, Whitmer's office said.

"Rexair is excited to be working with MEDC and the city of Cadillac in our combined efforts to grow Michigan's economy and employment opportunities," Jeff Nerem, Rexair's environmental health and safety administrator, said in the release. "This is truly a team effort to invest in all our futures."

Rexair will expand its facility in Cadillac with nine new injection molding machines, backed by a $48,000 Michigan Business Development Program grant that will bring in nine new jobs and retain eight others, Whitmer's office said.

"I am thrilled to learn about Rexair's continued commitment to reinvest in their city of Cadillac, Michigan facility, and it is truly wonderful to see the impact of the collaborative efforts between the MEDC and the City result in such a positive outcome," Marcus A. Peccia, Cadillac city manager, said in the release. "The creation of new positions coupled with nearly $1.4 million in capital investment will lead to more local sustainability for the Rexair facility, additional employment opportunities, and is another great example of viability of Cadillac as the place for economic development activities. A sincere thank you to both Rexair and the MEDC for making this investment in the city of Cadillac."