Pfizer breaks ground on new pharmaceutical production facility in Portage

Investment will have major impact on Southwest Michigan’s economy, further strengthens Michigan’s healthcare, professional and corporate services industries

Global pharmaceutical-industry leader Pfizer broke ground today on one of the world’s most technically advanced sterile injectable pharmaceutical production facilities – known as Modular Aseptic Processing (MAP) – in Portage.
MAP is a multi-story, 420,000-square-foot production facility that is expected to add approximately 450 new jobs in Kalamazoo County. Pfizer claims the injectable drug processing facility will be one of the largest in the western hemisphere, serving as a catalyst for further economic development throughout southwest Michigan.

Pfizer announced its plans for the facility in July 2018, following Michigan Strategic Fund approval of support including the Good Jobs for Michigan program that helped to secure competitive projects to grow the economy long-term and have a transformational impact on Michigan communities and its workforce. The new jobs that were part of the $465 million investment by the company include professional and skilled labor positions, with average annual income ranges from $70,100 to $93,300.

To date, Good Jobs for Michigan has helped secure $6.6 billion in private investment and 11,300 committed, high-wage jobs through six projects including today’s Pfizer groundbreaking as well as Acrisure world headquarters in Grand Rapids.

“Pfizer’s investment in Michigan for this cutting-edge production facilities highlights Michigan’s leadership in life sciences and medical device manufacturing as well as the state’s commitment to growing high-wage tech jobs to strengthen economic opportunity for Michiganders,” said Michigan Economic Development Corporation Chief Business Development Officer and Executive Vice President Josh Hundt. “This project will continue to anchor Pfizer in the Kalamazoo area for years to come and further establish the life science sector in Southwest Michigan.”

The Ascent recently released the ‘The 10 Best Cities for High Salaries and Low Cost of Living in the Midwest’ with Kalamazoo came in #8 with a cost of living index 23.2 percent below the national average. The report also notes the high density of employment in life sciences in Kalamazoo and the surrounding area – not surprising with Pfizer calling Portage home and the Southwest region of Michigan having five times more workers than the U.S. average in the medical device sector.

This groundbreaking builds on other recent life science successes, including the announcement of Perrigo, a leading global provider of self-care products, establishing its North American Corporate Headquarters in Grand Rapids and Stryker, a top 10 medical device company in the U.S. headquartered in the region as well.

With its robust R&D talent base, logistical advantages, low cost of living, and overall quality of life, Michigan is one of the preeminent locations for high-tech companies to grow or relocate their business. To learn more visit michiganbusiness.org/why-michigan.

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.