LANSING, Mich. – Two companies, nearly 1,000 jobs and $169 million of investment, all coming to west Michigan.
The Right Place, Inc, was joined by several groups in Lansing today to make the announcement.
Two manufacturers, Dicastal North America and Plasan Carbon Composites, are setting up shop in Greenville and Walker, respectively and making some major promises.
“This is about two companies investing $170 million and we have every understanding that these two companies will grow here, stay here and create the jobs,” said Birgit Klohs, president & CEO of The Right Place, Inc.
Dicastal is a new entity, spun off from a Chinese-based manufacturer.
The company says it will bring 300 new jobs to Greenville over 4 years, investing some $140 million into the city with the help of more than $8 million in incentives, but that’s not all.
“We’re also happy to be repurposing a facility that used to make solar panels, a green facility,” said Dale Hadel, Dicastal North America. “Hopefully, we can keep it as green and make it efficient making aluminum wheels in the state of Michigan.”
Dicastal is the world’s largest manufacturer of aluminum wheels and once it’s up and running, which is expected next year, Dicastal is looking to produce 3 million wheels annually from its new site in Montcalm County.
Just to the west and south, in Walker, local leaders are celebrating new hiring by Plasan Carbon Composites, an automotive manufacturer that makes carbon fiber parts.
“They are the leader in carbon fiber production in North America and it’s in Walker,” said Walker Mayor Mark Huizenga. “What that is is an indication that we have craftsmanship-type construction that’s happening here.”
Plasan is promising $29 million in investment and 620 new jobs over three years, also with the help of incentives, $6 million worth.
“A lot of things go into this pot, including incentives,” explained Klohs. “But no deal today of this magnitude…is done without local community, as well as the state, whatever state it is, stepping up – what I call sugar in the coffee.”
One thing The Right Place, Inc. stressed is that when it comes to incentives, none of that money is spent until these companies – Dicastal and Plasan – actually hit the benchmarks they’ve set forth.
