Great Lakes Wire

The state will invest $4.1 billion in three investments that will facilitate 4,600 new jobs.

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation joined Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) in announcing that West Michigan will receive two electric vehicle battery projects that meet the demand for batteries and crucial infrastructure, according to a news release from the state government. The other project involves an outdoor recreation and product innovation area between Northern Michigan University and the Lake Superior shore in Marquette.

“David Ollila is a legend in the outdoor recreation industry, and I couldn’t be more excited to see him creating a place where Michigan can leverage the authentic Upper Peninsula outdoor experience while nurturing outdoor entrepreneurs and fostering collaboration with the state’s full suite of design, innovation and production expertise,” Brad Garmon, executive director of the Michigan Outdoor Recreation Industry Office said in the release. “This is a critical investment in a program and a place that Michigan needs in order to grab the attention of the national outdoor recreation industry and grow opportunities for the entire state.”

“Today’s approvals will help us continue to grow our economy and compete for every good-paying job,” Whitmer said. “From Marquette to Monroe, we will expand leadership in future mobility, elevate our growing outdoor recreation industry, create good-paying jobs for Michiganders, and invest in our communities. When we come together to focus on the issues that matter, we can support businesses of all sizes, grow our economy, spur innovation, and move Michigan forward.”

A $3 million performance-based grant for Hoponassu OZ, LLC to construct Shop House Park Technology and Innovation Hub is backed by The Michigan Strategic Fund.

“The projects approved today build on our statewide leadership in advanced and EV manufacturing, bring good jobs to Michigan residents, support vibrant communities, and help increase growth opportunities for businesses ranging from start-ups to established companies, and better prepare our state to compete for business attraction opportunities,” said Michigan Economic Development Corporation CEO and Michigan Strategic Fund President and Chair Quentin Messer Jr. “We are grateful to Governor Whitmer, legislators, and local officials for their continued support for our programs, and we appreciate the hard work of the Michigan Strategic Fund board. Today’s MSF actions demonstrate our ongoing commitment to ensuring our work is making an impact no matter where our friends and neighbors reside across Michigan.”

The innovation development is expected to involve live-work-innovate space that will spark the outdoor recreation and mobility industries in the state to work together.

“By aligning its natural resources and assets with this economic moment, Michigan has a chance to lead the nation and establish the U.P. and Michigan as the center of excellence in outdoor recreation and mobility innovation,” said Hoponassu OZ, LLC Owner and Developer David Ollila. This is an opportunity to drive stronger connections between our peninsulas and provide the U.P. an asset that contributes to our collective economy in a way we have not done since Ford was operating plants in the U.P.”