GRAND RAPIDS, MICH., Aug. 6, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Regional economic development organization The Right Place, Inc., along with its local and state partners, today announced two new West Michigan economic development projects that will bring 114 new jobs and nearly $10 million to the region.
Flow-Rite Controls, Ltd.
$6 million capital investment in Byron Township; 64 new local jobs projected over the next 3 years; $224,000 incentive package from the MEDC.
Headquartered at 960 74th Street in Byron Township, Flow-Rite designs, manufactures and markets fluid control devices for lead acid batteries and a variety of other industrial and consumer uses.
Flow-Rite is receiving a $224,000 performance-based grant from the Michigan Strategic Fund under the Michigan Business Development Program to retain the company and support the expansion of its Byron Center facility by 7,500 SF with a high technology engineering center. The expansion will include upgrades to the existing facility and new high-speed assembly equipment and new injection molds.
The project will result in a capital investment of $6 million and the creation of 64 jobs. The company, which was established in 1981, currently employs 109 people.
Byron Township is supportive of the expansion and has approved a P.A. 198 property tax abatement.
"Flow-Rite is appreciative of The Right Place for its efforts in helping us grow at our headquarters," said Robert Burnetter, Chief Executive Officer for Flow-Rite. "With the support from The Right Place, along with the MEDC and Byron Township, Flow-Rite is pleased to continue creating jobs here in West Michigan. This incentive package has allowed us to reinvest in our community quicker than expected," Burnetter adds.
"Flow-Rite is the definition of what advanced manufacturing looks like today in West Michigan," said Birgit Klohs, President and CEO, The Right Place, Inc. "It is imperative that we retain and expand growing companies like Flow-Rite in our region; companies that take pride in the 'Made in the USA' labels on their products," Klohs adds.
Celia Corporation dba General Formulations
$4.175 million capital investment in Sparta; 50 new local jobs projected over the next 3 years; $233,000 incentive package from the MEDC.
Headquartered at 309 South Union in the Village of Sparta, General Formulations is a worldwide manufacturer of pressure-sensitive materials for a wide range of applications. Its products are used for signage, decals, labels, POP Advertising, OEM identification, large format images along with specific industrial applications.
General Formulations is receiving a $233,000 performance-based grant from the Michigan Strategic Fund under the Michigan Business Development Program that will enable continued growth of General Formulations in Sparta while gaining new efficiencies in production.
The project will result in a capital investment of $4.175 million and the creation of 50 jobs. The first phase of the expansion includes vacation of a public right-of-way along Union Street and the relocation of public and private utilities along the street.
The Village of Sparta is supportive of the expansion and is considering local support in the form of a P.A. 198 property tax abatement.
With this latest economic development project, The Right Place, working with its local and state partners, has generated $98 million in capital investment and assisted in the creation of 1,138 jobs in West Michigan in 2014.
About The Right Place, Inc.
The Right Place, Inc. is a regional non-profit economic development organization founded in 1985 and supported through investments from the private and public sector. Its mission is to promote economic growth in the areas of quality employment, productivity and technology in West Michigan by developing jobs through leading business retention, expansion and attraction efforts. For more information visit: www.rightplace.org .
About Flow-Rite Controls
Flow-Rite Controls™, Ltd., an ISO 9001:2008 registered company, was founded in 1981 by current president Dan Campau. As a vertically integrated company; Flow-Rite designs and manufactures and markets fluid control devices for lead acid batteries, recreational fishing boats, and laboratory use. All Flow-Rite products are solely our own proprietary developments and protected by over three dozen U.S. patents as well as hundreds of international patents. For more information visit: https://www.flow-rite.com/ .
About General Formulations
Based in Sparta, MI, General Formulations is a worldwide manufacturer of pressure-sensitive materials for a wide range of applications. Its products are used for signage, decals, labels, POP Advertising, OEM identification, large format images along with specific industrial applications. For more information visit: www.generalformulations.com .
A photo accompanying this release is available at: http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=26954
Right Place: Tim Mroz (616) 881.1038 Right Place: Craig Clark (616) 550.2736 Flow-Rite: Ron Earl (616) 583-1700 Celia: James Clay (616) 887-7387
