Michigan approves major projects meant to create hundreds of jobs, revitalize areas

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Tuesday the approval of several major projects that are meant to create hundreds of jobs in Michigan.

The Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) approved incentives for projects in Grand Rapids, Greenville, and Northville.

“Today’s approved projects will drive more than $740 million of investment, creating and protecting up to 566 jobs while making our cities better places to live, work, and invest,” Whitmer said.

In Grand Rapids, the Transformational Brownfield Plan –a $700 million investment proposed by developer Grand Action 2.0– was given support to build multiple mixed-use development projects, greenspace, a soccer stadium, and an amphitheater along the Grand River.

Some project highlights officials shared of the Transformational Brownfield Plan include:

• The Acrisure Amphitheater is slated to be a 296,109 square foot, world-class entertainment center consisting of 12,160 seats. A publicly-owned, paved riverwalk would connect the amphitheater to the Grand River and would allow for walking, running, cycling, and greenspace along the river bank.
• A 21-story, mixed-use building with 475 market-rate rental apartments, 3,660 square feet of retail, and 475 parking spaces.
• A 134,500 square-foot soccer stadium to be built west of downtown will host the only major professional league team in Grand Rapids, and will include a full-size soccer pitch supporting national and international games.
• The Stadium District Tower will be an 18-story, mixed-use commercial building and parking garage located north of the stadium. Retail/restaurant space, office space, and 260 residential apartment units will be included in the structure, marking the area as a new destination district within the city.
• A 224-foot-long pedestrian skybridge.

The $252.3 million project is expected to generate more than $700 million in investment, create 735 residential units, and support 250 new jobs, according to officials.

“On behalf of the Grand Action 2.0 co-chairs and our project partners, I offer sincere thanks to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the Michigan Strategic Fund and the City of Grand Rapids for their tremendous support,” Grand Action 2.0 Executive Director Kara Wood said. “This project has been a true community collaboration. Hundreds of people lent their voices, expertise, counsel, resources, support and encouragement because they understand the magnitude of the generational impact this project will have on our community. Energized by the Michigan Strategic Fund approval of our Transformational Brownfield Plan, I look forward to continuing this strong public-private partnership as, together, we get the amphitheater, stadium, mixed use redevelopment project over the finish line.”

In Greenville, the MSF board approved support for the expansion of the Northland Corporation refrigeration manufacturing facility, a $21.4 million investment.

Northland Corporation was founded in Greenville in 1892, and is the longest-standing refrigeration company in North America as well as the fifth-largest employer in the city, officials said.

The project, which is supported by a $1.28 million Michigan Business Development Program grant, is expected to create 200 new jobs and protect 116 existing jobs.

“We’re excited about the expansion of our manufacturing facility in Michigan,” President of Northland Corporation Andy Doberstein said. “This state is home to a remarkable workforce, and we are excited to leverage their talents to produce more cutting-edge refrigeration products. Our commitment to innovation and quality will continue to drive our growth and success in this great community.”

More information about Northland Corporation, including career opportunities, can be found online.

In Southeast Michigan, a redevelopment proposed by developer, Hunter Pasteur, of a former horse racing facility and brownfield site in Northville was supported by MSF.

The project looks to transform the 7.85 acres into a recreational area, including daylighting a section of the Rogue River and developing an adjacent park as well as reactivating a contaminated property to enhance ecological and recreational benefits for the community, according to officials.

Supported by the Brownfield Act 381 Work Plan, the project is valued at about $2 million and assisted by the city through the local tax capture of about $11,996,734. In total, the estimated investment of the project is $17.7 million.

“The transformative and very significant green infrastructure project, known as the future River Park, will create critical benefits for the City of Northville, Oakland and Wayne Counties, and the State of Michigan including storm water detention, habitat and plant life restoration, flood plain, pedestrian and bicycle connectivity, historic preservation, community gathering and recreation, amongst many others,” Partner and COO with Hunter PasteurSeth Herkowitz said.