LANSING — Two business expansions and four community revitalization projects that will generate more than $111.4 million in total investment and create 204 jobs around Michigan have received Michigan Strategic Fund approval for support, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced.

“Today’s MSF approvals offer further evidence of our commitment to revitalizing Michigan’s communities and helping growing companies generate new job opportunities,” said Jeff Mason, chief executive officer of MEDC, the state’s chief marketing and business attraction arm that administers programs and performs due diligence on behalf of the MSF. “The decision of these companies to expand in Michigan underscores Michigan’s business-friendly environment and talented workforce.”

O-N Minerals Company (Carmeuse Lime & Stone), founded in Belgium in 1860, is a leading producer of high calcium and dolomitic lime, chemical grade limestone and crushed limestone aggregate products that are a vital part of steel manufacturing, energy, environmental services, and construction. The company has approximately 80 production facilities worldwide, including five in Michigan. The company is experiencing growing demand for its products and plans to improve production facilities at its operations in Cedarville, Port Inland, and Rogers City. The projects are expected to involve a total capital investment of approximately $96.3 million over the next several years and have created 32 jobs during 2017, resulting in a $200,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant.

“Carmeuse was very honored and excited to be considered for the Michigan Business Development Program offered by the Michigan Strategic Fund and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The corporation has been making significant investments in their Rogers City, Gulliver and Cedarville Operations, which are expected to continue over the next several years,” said Carmeuse Senior Human Resources Manager Sarah Barr. “The investments increase efficiencies and productivity, which has already resulted in the creation of new jobs. The incentives offered by the Michigan Business Development Program will be used to offset new hire and skill trades training, along with various other programs aimed at developing the workforce.”

Michigan was chosen over competing sites in other states. Since the bulk of the investment is taking place in Rogers City, the community is offering property tax abatement in support of the project.

“Carmeuse Lime and Stone is already one of Mackinac County’s largest employers,” said Anne Ottaway, executive director of the Mackinac Economic Alliance, which worked closely with MEDC to facilitate the grant. “This significant expansion of its business operations in the Upper Peninsula will have tremendous positive impacts on local economies and greatly help to advance our economic development priorities.”

Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc., is a global manufacturing company that offers clean air and ride performance solutions to diversified markets including light vehicle, commercial truck, off-highway equipment and the aftermarket. Tenneco Michigan continues to see new growth and expansion opportunities. Tenneco Michigan will focus its investment in an available site in the city of Marshall and convert it to a dedicated service manufacturing center, investing $358,483 and creating 54 jobs. This will allow customers to continue to receive OEM parts from the same equipment, tooling and talented Marshall work force, and simultaneously will allow Tenneco to free up space to launch new programs at the main manufacturing sites in Marshall. As a result of the expansion, the company has been awarded a $315,000 MBDP performance-based grant. The city of Marshall is offering to pay for and install additional sidewalk space at the site in support of the project.

“This is a great example of local and state government working together to provide an environment that assists Tenneco to add competitive jobs to the local community,” said Tenneco Lean/Maintenance and Facilities Manager Mark Wallace.

In July 2017, MSF approved a $750,000 MBDP grant to support the company’s expansion in Northville Charter Township, a project that will generate a total capital investment of $23.1 million and create 95 jobs. For information on careers with Tenneco, visit http://www.tenneco.com/careers/.

MSF also approved the following community redevelopment projects:

∫ 13 North Washington Street, LLC plans to redevelop a vacant, historic-two-story building in downtown Ypsilanti into 13 North Washington Back Office Studio, a co-location office space that will foster an environment for the further development of a mix of second-space businesses, most of which are growing out of the SPARK East incubator. The project is anticipated to generate a total capital investment of nearly $1.5 million and create 22 full-time equivalent jobs, resulting in a $295,000 Michigan Community Revitalization Program performance-based grant. The city of Ypsilanti has issued a 10-year Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Abatement valued at $100,000 in support of the project. The project will bring more pedestrian activity and density to downtown Ypsilanti, and is expected to generate more investment in the area.

∫ The 220 West Congress Street project includes the rehabilitation of a dilapidated office building in the financial district of the city of Detroit into a five-story, mixed-use development that will include incubator-style office space for the tech and creative industries as well as other commercial space. The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $6.16 million and create 76 full-time equivalent jobs, and will add much-needed office space, increase foot traffic and serve as a catalyst for further investment in the area. The city of Detroit today received MSF approval of $988,415 in local and school tax capture for brownfield remediation activities at the site.

∫ 2200 Block, LLC plans to redevelop underutilized property on Michigan Avenue in the city of Lansing into Provident Place, a new, four-story mixed-use building that will consist of commercial/retail space on the first floor and residential space on the upper floors. The project is expected to generate total capital investment of more than $7 million and create 20 full-time equivalent jobs and bring further urban density to the area. The city of Lansing today received MSF approval of $996,117 in local and school tax capture for brownfield remediation activities at the site.

∫ The city of Negaunee received in $94,735 in Community Development Block Grant funds for facade improvements to two historic buildings on Iron Street in downtown Negaunee. The two blighted buildings will be returned to their original historic character, removing inauthentic renovations that were made in recent times. The buildings will receive repair work to the brick façade and masonry, installation of new storefronts, installation of various windows, construction of an exterior patio, new signage and more. The project could result in private investment of up to $94,735.