Four companies to invest $15.6 million, add 366 jobs in Michigan

Four business expansions will generate nearly $15.6 million in total investment and create 366 jobs around the state

LANSING, Mich. – Four business expansions – which combined will generate nearly $15.6 million in total investment and create 366 jobs around the state – have received Michigan Strategic Fund approval for support, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced today.

“Today’s actions offer further evidence of our commitment to help companies grow and generate new job opportunities for Michigan residents,” said MEDC Chief Executive Officer Steve Arwood. “We’re pleased to support these projects, which will mean more jobs and greater economic opportunities for people around Michigan.”

Approved by the Michigan Strategic Fund:

DornerWorks, Ltd., headquartered in Grand Rapids, is a leading provider of electronic engineering services and solutions for the aerospace, medical, automotive, and other industrial markets. The company is experiencing growth in sales and plans to expand its Grand Rapids operations, investing $710,000 and adding 25 engineering jobs. As a result, the company has been awarded a $200,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. The funds will help offset recruitment and training costs for the 25 new jobs. Michigan was chosen over competing sites in Arizona, Ohio, and Wisconsin, where the company has strong customer bases. In addition, other MEDC local partners including The Right Place, West Michigan Works, and the city of Grand Rapids have supported this project with economic and workforce development tools. For information about careers with DornerWorks, visit http://dornerworks.com/careers.

“We have been asked by several customers to open additional design and development engineering centers close to their locations, but we are dedicated to West Michigan and we wanted to expand here,” said DornerWorks President and CEO David Dorner. “The Right Place understood our business and the competitive situation we were in. Thanks to their efforts, along with their partners, we are able to continue growing in Grand Rapids.” 

OptiMed Specialty Pharmacy is a unique healthcare entity devoted to helping patients achieve better health and treatment outcomes via personalized medication management and research-based clinical support. OptiMed specializes in caring for individuals with rare and complex conditions such as: immune disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), HIV, hepatitis C and multiple sclerosis. OptiMed plans to expand its operations and occupy a new facility in Oshtemo Township within Kalamazoo County. The project is expected to generate approximately $1.2 million in capital investment and create 77 new jobs, resulting in a $500,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen over competing sites in California and Louisiana due to the area’s economic diversity, broad talent pool, and community support. Southwest Michigan First is supporting the project in the form of staff time and resources. For more information about careers with OptiMed Pharmacy, Inc., visit www.optimedspecialtyrx.com/careers.

“We are very excited that we have the opportunity to build our national headquarters here, in Kalamazoo, surrounded by the community that has continually inspired and empowered our organization,” said Andrew Reeves, R.Ph, CEO of OptiMed Specialty Pharmacy. “Our patient-focused care and our unique ability to address unmet patient needs have been the driving forces behind our growth, and we look forward to continuing our commitment to provide high-level patient care to the local and national communities.”

Shipston Aluminum Technologies (Michigan), Inc. is a premier manufacturer of safety critical aluminum automotive components for major tier 1 suppliers located throughout North America, Asia and Europe. The company plans to expand operations in Spring Lake Township within Ottawa County. The project is expected to generate nearly $10 million in capital investment and create 114 jobs, resulting in a $600,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Spring Lake Township is offering support through a property tax amendment related to the project. In addition, other MEDC local partners, The Chamber of Commerce Grand Haven, Spring Lake, Ferrysburg and West Michigan Works, have supported this project with economic and workforce development tools. For more information about careers with Shipston Aluminum Technologies (Michigan), Inc., visit http://www.shipstonaluminumtech.com/careers/.

“The facts that Shipston Aluminum Technologies’ owners want to own, not develop and then sell, and they are already expanding, are both great news for Spring Lake Township,” said Spring Lake Township Supervisor John Nash.

Karma Automotive LLC designs and manufactures luxury hybrid vehicles. Karma Automotive will debut its first vehicle, the Karma Revero, later this year. The company, which is a subsidiary of Chicago-based Wanxiang North America, will establish an automotive engineering and purchasing hub in the city of Troy to house operations supporting its California-based supply chain activities and automotive production. The project is expected to generate more than $3.6 million and create up to 150 jobs, resulting in a $450,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen over a competing site in California. The city of Troy is supporting the project in the form of marketing and promotional assistance. For more information about careers with Karma Automotive, visit https://careers-karmaautomotive.icims.com.

Pure Michigan is a brand representing business, talent and tourism initiatives across Michigan. These efforts are driven by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, which serves as the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business growth, jobs and opportunity with a focus on helping grow Michigan’s economy.

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.