- Continue Michigan’s Economic Recovery

• Gerber expanding its facility in Fremont, creating and retaining jobs in community

• MI-STEP program to further support export activities of businesses in Michigan

• Community development projects will revitalize neighborhoods in Detroit, Eaton Rapids, Ludington, Paw Paw
• $10.6 million in infrastructure enhancement grants will help accelerate economic development in eight Michigan communities

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Strategic Fund today approved a range of business growth and community revitalization projects, as well expanded initiatives and support for communities that will continue to drive Michigan’s economic recovery and further position the state for future prosperity, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced.

“Today’s MSF actions continue to lay a path forward toward economic recovery for Michigan’s residents, businesses and communities,” said MEDC CEO Mark Burton. “From business growth and small business support to community vitality, the projects approved today represent Michigan’s continued efforts to strategically rebuild our economy to support equitable and resilient growth that will better enable long-term economic prosperity for all Michiganders.”

Business growth actions bring jobs, spur additional economic activity

Gerber Products Company , a subsidiary of Nestle USA, Inc ., is a leader in early childhood nutrition headquartered in Arlington, VA. Since 1927, Gerber has been a trusted name in baby food and baby care. Gerber owns 10 facilities, with two located in the United States in Fremont, Mich. and Fort Smith, Ark. Gerber is the largest employer in the Fremont area.

Gerber plans to consolidate a line of purees and also relocate a freeze-dry yogurt line that is currently located on the West Coast to its facility in Fremont. The project will add approximately 50 new jobs and retain existing positions as a result of the freeze-dry line, and generate a total private investment of $36 million over the next two years. In addition, Fremont will be the location selected for future new product lines and programs, positively impacting the local supply chain and ensuring that Fremont will become the hub for new programs and technologies in the future.

To support the job creation and investment, MSF today approved an MSF Designated Renaissance Zone for 10 years. Michigan was chosen over competing locations. In addition, the city will receive a Payment in Lieu of Taxes from the company totaling $700,000 that will cover 50 percent of the city taxes abated under the Renaissance Zone.

The project aligns with MEDC’s strategic goal of providing competitive wages in an underserved area. In addition, the investment in the Fremont plant will solidify the company's presence in Fremont as the “baby food capital of America” and will secure future opportunities for new technologies and investment. The investment is also important for continued relationships with Michigan growers and suppliers and to strengthen the regionally significant agribusiness industry.

“Gerber’s Fremont facility has been a critical component of our regional economy for decades,” said Birgit Klohs, President and CEO, The Right Place, Inc. “Beyond providing hundreds of quality advanced manufacturing jobs with competitive wages, Gerber also supports the regional agribusiness industry and has strong relationships with local growers and suppliers. This investment will strengthen Gerber’s presence in the region and position the agribusiness industry for continued growth.”

MSF also approved a Brownfield Act 381 Work Plan for 400 Island Avenue LLC to demolish two buildings, remediate contaminated land and construct a new facility at the site of the former Crown Vantage paper mill in the city of Parchment. The completed facility will be targeted to warehousing and light manufacturing uses. The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $12 million and create 15 full-time equivalent jobs and will redevelop an underutilized and unattractive site into much-needed industrial space for the Kalamazoo market. Today’s City of Parchment Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Brownfield Act 381 Work Plan approval includes state tax capture of $1,050,133 that will assist with the remediation of brownfield conditions at the site.

The city of Parchment is supporting the project through the local portion of the work plan with an estimated value of $1.5 million.

The project is consistent with MEDC’s strategic plan of transforming underutilized properties into attractive places that attract businesses. The project will also increase the taxable value of the property by creating a new spec building that will attract new business to the region.

MSF today approved the acceptance of an anticipated funding award from the U.S. Small Business Administration State Trade Expansion Program (STEP), as well as matching funds to support the Michigan STEP grant initiative (MI-STEP). The approval included allowing the MSF fund manager to accept the SBA award on behalf of MI-STEP and approve the required match funds. Additional details will be announced once the award is officially approved by the SBA.

MI-STEP is designed to spur job creation by empowering Michigan small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by linking them to resources and opportunities to expand exports to new international markets. MI-STEP provides financial assistance awards to SMEs, reimbursing them for expenses for eligible export-related activities.

MSF also approved an expansion of eligible activities allowed under the program, including e-commerce and compliance testing, as well as increased website expenses. Limited program changes were originally approved by MSF in May based on directives from SBA as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Today, MSF approved an extension through fiscal year 2021 of eligible activities allowed under the program, including e-commerce and compliance testing, as well as increased website expenses. These additions are designed to assist companies in growing their visibility in target foreign markets amid today’s evolving business environment. These updates align the program with changes SBA announced earlier this month to the STEP grant eligibility requirements. MSF also approved an increase in the maximum grant reimbursement from 50 percent of eligible expenses to 75 percent, maintaining the annual cap of $15,000 per company.

MEDC’s MI Project Exception Program (MI-PEP), which provides export assistance to companies that do not meet SBA’s small business requirements, also received MSF approval of additional eligible activities and an increase in the maximum grant reimbursement amount from 50 percent to 75 percent, bringing the program into line with MI-STEP and SBA.

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