Tipping Point Solutions Inc. expanding in Sault Ste. Marie, adding high-tech, high-paying jobs

• Project will bring nine high-paying, high-tech jobs to Sault Ste. Marie • Tipping Point Solutions is a Native American-, veteran-owned provider of high-tech solutions to the defense industry

LANSING, Mich. – Tipping Point Solutions Inc., a Sault Tribe business member and defense industry high-tech company, is expanding its operations in Sault Ste. Marie with support from the Michigan Strategic Fund, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced today.

“Tipping Point Solutions’ expansion in Sault Ste. Marie will help catalyze long-term job growth for area residents and demonstrates the company’s strong commitment to the community,” said MEDC CEO Jeff Mason today during a visit to the company’s Sault Ste. Marie location. “We’re pleased to work with the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Economic Development Corporation and our local partners to bring these excellent, high-paying jobs to the area, and look forward to working with the company as it continues to grow in Michigan.”

Tipping Point Solutions, headquartered in Denver, is a Native American Disadvantaged 8(a) and Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business firm focused on delivering instructional design, film/media production and technology development solutions. The company has recently been awarded two large-scale military contracts and needs to hire additional employees. Tipping Point plans to expand its operations in downtown Sault Ste. Marie and will lease additional space, invest in new equipment and make improvements to the facility.

The project is expected to generate a private investment of $157,500 and create nine new, high- paying tech jobs. The company plans to provide intensive training and skills development to the new employees and anticipates providing mentorship and training to other organizations in the area.

The Michigan Strategic Fund today awarded the company a $75,000 Michigan Micro Business Development Program performance-based grant in support of the project. The city of Sault Ste. Marie is a Michigan Main Street Community and is engaged with the MEDC’s Redevelopment Ready Communities program. The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians has offered talent recruitment assistance to the company to help find candidates for the newly created positions.

Michigan was chosen for the project over competing sites in several other states. The project meets the strategic objectives of both the MEDC and local partners of maintaining a close working relationship with Michigan’s tribes and bringing good jobs to the state’s economically disadvantaged communities.

“Tipping Point Solutions’ decision to establish a production facility in Sault Saint Marie was based on our strong belief that sourcing and developing talent in Northern Michigan will provide quality career opportunities for residents in the area while also supporting the company’s anticipated growth in the coming years,” said Tipping Point Solutions President and CEO Rick Schmidt. “Based on our experience operating in areas of the country such as Colorado, Virginia and Arizona, we believe our presence in Northern Michigan has the ability create measurable professional and economic impact on the local workforce and the surrounding community. We are greatly appreciative to the Sault Tribe and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation for their ongoing support and interest in our success in the Sault.”

Individuals interested in careers with Tipping Point Solutions should visit https://tp- solutions.com/careers/.

The expansion is taking place in the Tamarack Business Center, a redevelopment project of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. In July 2018, the MEDC awarded a $250,000 grant from the Tribal Business Development Program to the Tribe to redevelop the vacant building located at 531 Ashmun Street in downtown Sault Ste. Marie. The project involved $417,000 in additional investment and included the redevelopment of a vacant restaurant property owned by the Sault Tribe into the Tamarack Business Center, a multi-tenant business facility. The project created 10 new jobs with average wages of $25 per hour.

“Tipping Point Solutions’ presence in Michigan, and CEO Rick Schmidt's commitment to growth represent exactly the type of collaboration that is needed to impact our rural communities. Mr. Schmidt's desire to impact the Sault Tribe, his time and capital investments, the MEDC and the State of Michigan's recognition of an effort being done right and subsequent support, and the Sault Tribe EDC's outreach, investment and local facilitation represent a mutual investment in the region's success,” said Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians Economic Development Director Joel Schultz. “I personally want to thank Mr. Schmidt and the MEDC for their commitment, the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indian's Board of Directors for their vision and the Community of Sault Ste. Marie and Chippewa County for opening their arms.”

The Tipping Point Solutions expansion project was supported through the Micro MBDP tool, adopted by the Michigan Strategic Fund in 2019. The Micro MBDP is designed to promote business growth especially in rural areas or areas with high unemployment as well as target industries. The Micro MBDP provides grants, loans, or other economic assistance to businesses for highly competitive projects in Michigan that have fewer job creation numbers than required by the original MBDP guidelines.

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.