Two new investment projects within Michigan are reportedly set to create 85 new high-tech jobs in the fields of defense, aerospace, and electric vehicle testing, as announced by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
The new investments, worth $12.7 million in capital, are moves aimed at expanding the state as a "high-tech hub." Whitmer praised the investments, pointing out that the state has continued to expand its robust defense and aerospace sectors and has secured over 38,000 auto jobs since taking office, many of which are in the battery and electric car industries.
To help more individuals and businesses 'make it' in Michigan, the government says they will continue to compete with other states and countries to bring more jobs and projects home.
The first investment project is with the family-run metal castings manufacturer Barron Industries, Inc., which serves the aerospace and defense sectors.
The business is growing because of the additional metal 3D printing and machining machinery purchased. The change is anticipated to result in $9.1 million in capital investment and 50 additional jobs.
With benefits, the average pay for these positions will be $32 per hour, around $10 more than the local median earnings. A $900,000 grant from the Michigan Business Development Program is helping to fund the project.
The second investment comes from LHP Engineering, a Columbus-based company that offers technological, engineering, and training services and plans to establish an electric car testing facility near Pontiac.
Authorities anticipate this initiative will bring approximately $3.6 million in capital investment and 35 new jobs. The initiative has funding from the Michigan Business Development Program totaling $500,000.
With benefits, the average pay for these positions will be $32 per hour, around $10 more than the local median earnings. A $900,000 grant from the Michigan Business Development Program is helping to fund the project.
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V.P. Harris' Visit to Detroit
The announcement for the new EV-centered jobs comes just days after V.P. Kamala Harris, alongside Michigan Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II, U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm, U.S. Secretary of Labor Julie Su, and Don Graves, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce, met in Detroit to give updates on new funding opportunities for small- and medium-sized automotive suppliers.
The visit also included plans to discuss the efforts being made by the Biden-Harris administration to generate economic opportunity.
The visit centered on the $50 million from the Department of Energy's Automotive Conversion Grants Program. These funds will be used in collaboration with state agencies to assist small and medium-sized suppliers shift from producing parts for internal combustion engines to those for electric vehicles.
EV and Job Production
The shift to EVs allows the American auto industry to reintroduce manufacturing to the country and boost employment there.
To take advantage of this, businesses have said during the past three years that they will invest more than $170 billion in the production of EVs and more than 20 new auto and battery plants.
Furthermore, the United Car Workers gained contracts for approximately 250,000 new positions in the U.S. car industry, which feature comparable wages and retirement security.
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(Photo: Tech Times)
