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MICHIGAN JUMPS 13 SPOTS IN CNBC’S TOP STATES FOR BUSINESS RANKING In CNBC’s Top States for Business annual ranking, Michigan landed the #11 spot, marking a 13-spot improvement in the ranking from 2019. Michigan increased its scores in education and infrastructure, with high scores in the categories of technology & innovation, cost of living and cost of doing business helping drive the jump in the ranking. Michigan scored high in the technology & innovation category, which looks at factors including patents issued per capita and the vitality of the state’s technology ecosystem based on people, companies, and investment. With the world’s largest tech companies including Amazon, Microsoft and Google investing in Michigan, the state is also home to hundreds of startups across a broad cross section of the tech world. Here are some examples of recent tech investments in Michigan. • Tier 1 supplier American Axle & Manufacturing Inc. investing $38.6 million and adding 100 new jobs in Three Rivers • Whirlpool investing $60 million to rehabilitate and reconstruct its Global Laundry and Dishwasher Technical Center in St. Joseph and launch an innovative new development for workforce housing in Benton Harbor • Storage products manufacturer Speedrack Products investing $64.5 million and adding 164 new jobs in Walker • Tier 1 supplier Flex-N-Gate investing $52.1 million and adding 245 new jobs in Troy • Software developer TechSmith investing $15 million and adding 50 new jobs at a new global headquarters in East Lansing • Boston-based XL Fleet investing $1.2 million and adding nearly 50 new jobs at its new Fleet Electrification Technology Center in Wixom • Mission Design and Automation investing $5.3 million, adding 109 new jobs at its headquarters in Holland and supporting Industry 4.0 adoption efforts in the state. • Superior Extrusion, Inc. in Marquette County, adding 44 new jobs as part of one of the largest manufacturing expansions in the Upper Peninsula in several years. MEDC LAUNCHES CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN The Lansing Makers Network is growing into a new space that will expand its programming and operations with the help of a new crowdfunding campaign, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and nonprofit Lansing Makers Network. If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $50,000 by September 10, the project will win a matching grant with funds made possible by MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places program. Lansing Makers Network (LMN) is a maker’s space for hobbyists, entrepreneurs, artists, and engineers to meet, make, learn, and teach together. With tools and equipment for woodwork-
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ing, blacksmithing, metalworking, machining, jewelry-making, laser-cutting, 3D printing, sewing, and more, LMN provides a space for tinkerers to play and entrepreneurs to grow. Through this campaign, LMN will move into a larger and more accessible space allowing the nonprofit to host more makers and events. They will also be able to create and expand youth and adult programming in the space, invest in new equipment and infrastructural improvements, and expand free services they offer to the public. For project details and to donate, please visit: patronicity.com/lansingmakers. REFER A BUSINESS, GET $50 Being an MRA Members pays off. Tell us about someone who would benefit by being a member of MRA. When you refer a business that joins MRA, we will pay you a $50 Referral Bonus. Contact MRA Customer Service at 800.366.3699 to learn more. HELP AVAILABLE FOR MICHIGAN RESTAURANTS The American Rescue Plan Act established the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) to provide funding to help restaurants and other eligible businesses keep their doors open. This program will provide restaurants with funding equal to their pandemicrelated revenue loss up to $10 million per business and no more than $5 million per physical location. Recipients are not required to repay the funding if funds are used for eligible uses no later than March 11, 2023. For more information on eligibility and to apply, visit www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/ covid-19-relief-options. THE CITY OF HOUGHTON RECEIVES CERTIFICATION AS REDEVELOPMENT READY COMMUNITY The city of Houghton has been awarded the Redevelopment Ready Communities (RRC) certification by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) recently. As an RRC participant, Houghton received a comprehensive assessment that measured current community and economic development practices. The program evaluates and certifies communities that integrate transparency, predictability, and efficiency into economic development practices. Certification status is a compelling indicator that a community has removed development barriers and streamlined processes to be more competitive and attractive to investors. Houghton joins an elite group of 58 Michigan communities that have qualified as “thoroughly prepared” when it comes to planning and zoning. continued on page 20 WWW.RETAILERS.COM AUG / SEP 2021
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