International gear-motor manufacturer, Von Weise, Inc.,
is expanding its presence in Eaton Rapids, a move that’s expected to create 159
new manufacturing jobs and 205 spin-off jobs in the community.
“Because some of these jobs are transitioning from other
states, some of this job creation will occur rather quickly,” says Bill
Lefevere with the City of Eaton Rapids. “I think over the next year or 18
months, most of the jobs will be created."
Von Weise has been in Eaton Rapids for more than 50 years,
but is consolidating other national and international operations to the Eaton
Rapids facility, including operations in Indiana, Missouri,
Mexico and Canada.
Von Weise will bring $4 million in additional equipment
to Eaton Rapids, and invest in $3.3 million in new equipment over the next five
years.
The Michigan Economic Growth Authority is giving the
company a tax credit valued at more than $1.1 million over seven years. The
Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) has approved an $800,000
Community Development Block Grant for the project.
“We brought the MEDC in because it appeared that they
were jobs that were destined to go to some other country or some other state,”
Lefevere says.
The City of Eaton Rapids has approved a 12-year abatement
valued at approximately $139,000 to support the project.
Source: Bill Lefevere, City of Eaton Rapids
Ivy Hughes, development news editor, can be reached here.
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