The Michigan projects, which span the upper and lower peninsulas, include: aerospace, automotive, and wind-turbine manufacturers; one of the nation’s largest insurance management service companies; and brownfield redevelopments that will transform abandoned and contaminated sites into new centers of economic growth and activity.

Among the projects:

• Alma Products I—The 65-year-old subsidiary of ETX, Inc., is a manufacturer and remanufacturer of air conditioning compressors, torque converters, clutch & disc assemblies, and transmissions plans to invest $1.9 million to relocate the remanufactured transmission operation of ETX Transmissions, Inc., from Mundelein, Ill., to Alma. The project is expected to generate 158 new jobs, including 76 company positions.
• Holland Awning Company, d/b/a Integrated Fabric Resource—The custom designer and manufacturer of fabric-based packaging products servicing the auto industry plans to invest $3.7 million to expand in Holland Charter Township to produce flexi-tanks for shipping bulk liquids. The project is expected to create 510 new jobs, including 270 directly by the company.
• Johnson Technology, Inc.—This aerospace manufacturer and producer of jet engine components for military and commercial operations plans to invest $15 million to bring work to its Muskegon plant from competitors in five states to develop a new high-tech plasma coating spray for use in aircraft engines. The project is expected to create 167 new jobs, including 74 directly by the company.
• Axiobionics LLC—This developer and marketer of new and innovative medical devices for pain control and neuro rehabilitation in patients with brain and spinal cord injuries is investing $2.9 million to design custom-made electrical stimulation technology and orthotic and prosthetic devices in Scio Township. The project is expected to create 614 jobs, including 108 direct posts.
• Dexter Research Center—This Dexter-based designer and manufacturer of infrared sensors for automotive, medical, aerospace, and security applications is investing $2.9 million to upgrade its operations and expand into new markets. The project is expected to create 169 jobs, including 47 directly by the company.
• Energetx Composites LLC—This manufacturer of composite components plans to invest $37 million to ramp up production in Holland of utility-scale wind turbine blades and other composite parts for the wind energy industry. The project will create 2,599 total jobs, including 1,068 directly by the company.
• RS Technologies Acquisition Corp.—The subsidiary of New York-based PCB Piezotronics, a high-tech manufacturing company, plans to invest $1.7 million to expand in order to provide a complete line of threaded fastener torque-tension systems at its operations in Farmington Hills. The project will create 228 total jobs, including 40 company positions.
• CertainTeed Ceilings Corporation—This manufacturer and global distributor of acoustical ceiling systems plans to invest $7.6 million to consolidate operations from Mississippi to its facility in L’Anse. The project will retain 271 Michigan jobs, including 109 directly at the company.
• Ralco Industries, Inc.—This supplier of welded assemblies, metal stampings, design prototype, and tooling for the automotive industry plans to invest $6.4 million to expand to a larger facility in Pontiac, which will serve as the company’s North American corporate and manufacturing headquarters. The project will create 375 total jobs, including 108 directly by the company.
• Webasto Roof Systems, Inc.—The largest North American supplier of sunroof and panorama roof systems plans to invest $3.6 million to consolidate operations in Rochester Hills. The project will create 208 Michigan jobs (including 61 company positions) and retain 525 jobs.
• Fab Masters Company, Inc.—A manufacturer of custom aluminium-machined and fabricated parts for the defense, transportation, and appliance industries will undergo an expansion project that will generate $8.4 million in private investment and create up to 160 new jobs.

“We are making significant progress toward diversifying Michigan’s economy despite a national recession,” Governor Granholm said. “These expansions demonstrate that businesses across a wide spectrum of sectors are choosing Michigan over other states for new growth opportunities. These are the types of projects that will transform our economy and create good-paying jobs for our workers.”