FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 1, 2022
Contact: [email protected]
Gov. Whitmer Announces Business Expansion Creating 24 Manufacturing Jobs, Generating $8 Million Investment in Flint
LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to announce that plastics recycler Island Plastics will create 24 manufacturing jobs in Flint with support from the Michigan Strategic Fund.
“This investment by Island Plastics will create 24 good-paying manufacturing jobs in Flint and prove our dedication to attracting and growing businesses that create opportunity and demonstrate a commitment to sustainable practices that ensure long-term economic growth,” said Governor Whitmer. “Together, we will continue putting Michiganders first and investing in our talented manufacturing workforce and innovative businesses so they can thrive. Right now, Michigan’s economy is growing. Our future is bright, and investments like this one by Island Plastics will help us continue moving our state forward.”
Island Plastics, LLC is a subsidiary of ACI Plastics, Inc., (ACI) a post-industrial plastics recycler headquartered in Flint. ACI plans to utilize its experience in the plastics separation business to integrate into the post-consumer plastics industry. As a result, Island Plastics will recycle post-consumer low-density polyethylene (LDPE) material.
ACI plans to invest into an existing facility in the city of Flint to construct a state-of-the-art system where it will recycle post-consumer LDPE material for resale to various industries including energy, automotive and consumer goods. The company anticipates processing 25 million pounds of waste per year through the reuse of this plastic.
The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $8 million, supported by a $150,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen for the project over a competing site in Ohio.
“This project is an exciting win for Flint and for the entire state and underscores our continued commitment to building a cleaner future for our children and grandchildren,” said Quentin Messer, Jr., CEO of the MEDC and President and Chair of the Michigan Strategic Fund. We are grateful to the Governor and legislators for the continued support of the Michigan Business Development Program. We’re proud to join our partners at the Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance and the city of Flint as we celebrate Island Plastics’ expansion and look forward to working together to grow, add jobs and provide greater opportunity for our friends and neighbors.”
“We are excited that ACI Plastics, Inc. has chosen to expand operations in Flint as they continue to grow in the post-consumer plastics recycling industry,” said Tyler Rossmaessler, Executive Director of Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance. “Our team will continue to work side-by-side with government partners and companies like ACI Plastics, Inc. to ensure Flint & Genesee County is the place for their growth.”
“The City of Flint is excited to see this expansion take place. Flint is open for business, and we hope opportunities like this encourage other businesses to come to Flint and keep their operations here,” said city of Flint Economic Development Director Samantha Fountain.
The project will establish the company’s presence and future investment in Michigan. Like ACI, Island Plastics will support personal growth of its employees and allow them to grow within. The company offers benefits to its employees and will utilize local nonprofits for employment recruitment. Individuals interested in careers with Island Plastics should visit https://www.aciplastics.com/careers/.
The city of Flint has provided a dedicated concierge services package with an estimate value of $11,059.
Today’s announcement builds on other recent Michigan Strategic Fund support for Flint-area projects, including a July 2021 announcement by Governor Whitmer that a new co-op urban grocery store will soon be coming to the north side of Flint with support from the Michigan Strategic Fund. Intended to provide much-needed, affordable, healthy food options to area residents, the project is expected to revitalize a long-vacant building and help address health issues in the documented “food desert” of North Flint.
In October 2021, Governor Whitmer announced two business expansions in the Flint region that were expected to create 424 new jobs and generate a total private investment of $23 million with support from the Michigan Strategic Fund. The projects included an expansion by supply chain management provider NorthGate in the city of Burton, creating 374 jobs and investing $13 million; and a new manufacturing facility in Grand Blanc Township by global auto supplier DAG Technology, where it would invest $10 million and create 50 jobs.
Additionally, in November 2021, Allegiant Air announced it was establishing a new operational base at Flint Bishop International Airport, supported by a $200,000 Jobs Ready Michigan performance-based grant from the Michigan Strategic Fund. The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $77 million and create 88 high-wage jobs as it brings new business and economic activity to the region.
“Team Michigan is committed to taking a holistic, people-first approach to economic development in every corner of the state,” said Quentin Messer, Jr., CEO of the MEDC and President and Chair of the Michigan Strategic Fund. “We are working daily to win projects and develop opportunities that support Michigan’s risk-taking small businesspeople and global businesses alike. Work remains; however, increasingly, expanded economic opportunity is being felt throughout every single region and community of our great state.”
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