Growth From Lake to Lake

The Dow Technical Center in Auburn Hills and the GM plant in Lansing also signify another trend for Michigan: the expansion of high-tech facilities, R&D centers and advanced manufacturing plants throughout the state. Detroit may still be the automotive engine that drives Michigan, but there's plenty of horsepower revving up in places as diverse as Traverse Bay and Kalamazoo.
        Everyone knows that Michigan is the global epicenter for automotive technology. With 19 vehicle assembly plants and more than 700 original equipment manufacturer suppliers, the Wolverine State produces more than 24 percent of the total U.S.-built vehicle output every year.
        But other industries are in pursuit. In Traverse Bay, a number of new, advanced manufacturing plants are in the works. Wayne Wire Cloth, which produces filters for the aerospace industry, is embarking on a 50,000-sq.-ft. (4,645-sq.-m.) expansion in Kalkaska. Village Press is expanding by 14,000 sq. ft. (1,300-sq.-m.) in Traverse City, and Graceland Fruit in Benzie County recently announced a $15-million expansion of its dried-fruit processing plant.
        In addition to these projects, private companies and at least one public entity are developing five industrial parks in the Traverse Bay area to attract more business expansion. These include Peninsula Business Park, 100 acres (40 hectares) for mixed-use office and industrial space; Chum's Village, a 120-acre (49-hectare), 68-lot development for commercial and light manufacturing; Hammond Commerce Center, an 80-acre (32-hectare) industrial park; Meadow Land Industrial Park, a 40-acre (16-hectare) industrial center; and the publicly developed 40-acre (16-hectare) Kalkaska Enterprise Center.
        Farther south in Kalamazoo, the economic development group known as Southwest Michigan First is recruiting biotech companies. The focal point is the Kalamazoo SmartZone and its Southwest Michigan Innovation Center. Five bioscience companies operate in interim labs on site and are waiting to occupy the 58,000-sq.-ft. (5,388-sq.-m.) incubator/accelerator upon its completion in March.
        "We have 12,500 life sciences professionals who work in our region, primarily in the pharmaceutical industry," says Barry Broome, CEO of Southwest Michigan First. "This incubator is really the cornerstone of our technology initiative."
        Broome also hopes to lure more engineering firms to Kalamazoo once the $135-million School of Engineering opens at Western Michigan University. "We have established clusters in aviation and aerospace, truck components and paper technology. And our engineering talent is already among the best in the country."