The Enterprise Group of Jackson, Inc. 2012 Annual Report
Vol. 1 in 2013
January 2013

EGLogo

The Enterprise Group of Jackson

One Jackson Square

Suite 11100

Jackson, MI 49201

(517)788-4455

fax (517)782-0061

Enterprisegroup.org

 

Find us on Facebook

View our profile on LinkedIn 


In This Issue
2012 - The Year In Review
EG and Community Accomplishments
Economic Development by the Numbers

News & Events

 

 

 

 Historical EG/Community Accomplishments 1999-2012


  EG "Imagine Jackson" Campaign Flyer


   

 

Do you have news that The EG staff can feature in an upcoming newsletter?
Call us at 517-788-4455 if you have a story to share!

Join Our Mailing List

 

You are receiving this email because you are a client, vendor, or associate of The Enterprise Group of Jackson, Inc.


The Enterprise Group of Jackson, Inc. and our partner organizations; the Jackson Area Manufacturers Association, the Academy for Manufacturing Careers and the Procurement Technical Assistance Center of South Central Michigan, collaborate to provide a one-stop resource to achieve solutions and coordinate business and manufacturing capabilities to promote prosperity, strengthen the economy, stimulate job creation and support business retention and growth. 
Greetings!  

 

Letter from The EG President and CEO 

 

2012 was definitely a year of change for The Enterprise Group. During the year, the Board undertook a very thorough process that took a critical look at our organization to ensure that we are focused on growing the Jackson County economy. That process included a complete review of our by laws and board structure and the development of a three-year funding plan. We have aggressively reached out to our current and past supporters and potential new investors to solicit their input as to how we can improve our efforts. The result is a work plan that includes solid strategies designed to assist our existing business base, improve our marketing and communications, and better position us to compete for prospective developments.

 

During this time of transition, the EG staff continued to perform at the highest professional level. JAMA and the Academy provided a record number of students, from elementary students to adult learners, with skills training. Their efforts were recognized at the national level. The PTAC staff had a record year in assisting Jackson business clients obtaining state and federal contracts. The economic development staff worked on projects that created/retained 769 jobs resulting in over $37.3 Million of investment in Jackson County. This included the opening of Chemetall's world class facility, the attraction of HCL to Jackson and the announcement of Technique's new facility. All of these accomplishments were made possible by the working partnerships the EG has with our friends in area businesses, state and local government, education, labor and community service groups.

 

I couldn't be more excited about our future. The number of people and organizations committed to this community is exciting and the list grows every day. Working together we can ensure that Jackson County is positioned to be a thriving community for years to come.

   

Sincerely,

 

Tim Rogers, President and CEO

 

2012 - The Year In Review

 

Economic Development Division (EDD)

 

The 132 retention visits conducted (Click here to view 2012 retention visits by location), and business attraction efforts, along with staffing responsibilities for EG development organizations (LDFAs, DDAs, EDC, and the JCBRA) during 2012 resulted in $37.3 Million investment and 461 new jobs.  

 

In May, HCL America Inc. announced their new location to downtown Jackson, which will bring over 300 new technology jobs to our community. 

 

In October, the Jackson community celebrated Chemetall's Grand Opening for their advanced manufacturing facility in the Jackson Technology Park SmartZone(SM) within the Blackman Charter Township Local Development Finance Authority (LDFA). 

 

Contaminated and eligible sites in Jackson County were assisted by the Jackson County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (JCBRA) (staffed and administered by The EG) by grant funding assistance, which represents almost $600,000 in private investment, with 20 new jobs committed. The JCBRA approved a Stipulated Funding Agreement with the City of Jackson for $590,000 from the Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund Grant, federal ARRA Dollars provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to participate in funding the asbestos removal and demolition of the former Consumers Energy Headquarters building. The JCBRA also provided $60,000 to the County of Jackson for asbestos removal at the former Riverwalk Hotel, which is now demolished.

 

In collaboration with Baker College, The Enterprise Group manages the Baker College Business Technology Center Incubator within the Jackson Technology Park SmartZone(SM), on behalf of the Blackman Charter Township LDFA. The year ended with one tenant, and one graduated tenant which moved to downtown Jackson after having increased employment from one to five while in the incubator.

 

As of 12/31/12, the Jackson County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) had made 41 revolving loans (administered by The EG) in the amount of $3.9 Million in the community, leveraging $46.8 Million in private investment, which retained or saved 835 jobs, with 541 new jobs having been created. In 2012, the EDC approved a $200,000 Revolving Loan to Midbrook Industrial Washers, Inc. (MIWI). 

 

The EG is involved with meetings and negotiations to represent the community as the local economic development organization (EDO) to implement Governor Snyder's and the MEDC's plan for a ten-region state for economic growth. Region 9 contains Jackson, Lenawee, Hillsdale, Livingston, Monroe and Washtenaw Counties. Staff attends meetings to transition to this more regional approach to economic development, while protecting and broadening the assets of the Jackson community.

 

Jackson Area Manufacturers Association (JAMA) and The Academy for Manufacturing Careers (AMC)

 

JAMA launched Engineering is Elementary (K-5th grade) thanks to startup funding from United Way, Underwater ROV Camp (7th-9th grade) in partnership with the Jackson County ISD, and the build portion of Hot Rod U (9th-12th grade). When added to existing offerings from JAMA, Shop Rat, and JCISD/Jackson Area Career Center, these programs provide Jackson County youth with a complete "pipeline" of hands-on science/technology/engineering/math (STEM) and manufacturing-related learning experiences from Kindergarten through high school and beyond.

 

The K-12 manufacturing career exploration pipeline mentioned above was instrumental in getting the Jackson Area Career Center designated as the first PRIME school in the state of Michigan by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. This designation is earned by exemplary schools that provide a comprehensive, community-based approach to manufacturing education and JAMA is a proud part of that success.

 

In partnership with the City of Litchfield, Litchfield High School, the Litchfield Community Schools Alumni Association and South Central Michigan Works!, JAMA participated in "The Litchfield Initiative" to rehab the unused high school industrial arts building and convert it into the Richard E. Krohn Center for Excellence. Through this facility, JAMA's Academy provides area adults and high school students with advanced manufacturing skills training tied directly to the hiring needs of local Litchfield employers. On Dec. 20, the first batch of high school age welding students graduated from the program and nearly all were immediately hired by Litchfield manufacturers.

 

In recognition of the 75th Anniversary of the National Apprenticeship Act, JAMA's Academy for Manufacturing Careers received U.S. Dept. of Labor recognition as a 21st Century Apprenticeship Innovator and Trailblazer. Out of over 24,000 registered apprenticeship programs nationwide, around 2,000 programs were nominated and JAMA's Academy was one of only 70 programs, and one of only two in the state of Michigan, to receive this prestigious award.

 

In late December, JAMA received notification that Annette Norris, program director for JAMA's Academy, had been selected to receive one of the first annual Women in Manufacturing STEP Awards from the National Association of Manufacturers' Manufacturing Institute in partnership with the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, Deloitte & Touche and the University of Phoenix. This award "highlights women who have had a significant impact through demonstrated science, technology, engineering and production excellence in manufacturing" and will be presented in Washington, D.C. on February 5, 2013.

 

 

Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC)

 

2012 was the best year ever for Jackson companies pursuing government contracting opportunities. The Enterprise Group's Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) assisted companies in Jackson County procure $11,640,555 in federal, state and local contract awards. Awards ranged from selling parts to the Department of Defense, to lawn maintenance and laboratory services to various agencies. The awards received by Jackson companies created and/or retained over 232 jobs in the area.

   

Baxter Machine & Tool Company saw the advantage of selling to the federal government, and positioned themselves for success, resulting in being acknowledged as the PTAC Jackson County Government Contractor of the Year. Mike Baxter of Baxter Machine & Tool Company stated, "The reality is this: With the help of the PTAC of South Central Michigan, we have not only obtained additional government contracts but are now being considered for even larger awards that will gradually create more jobs and sustain a manufacturing industry for and in our community and you cannot argue with these results."

  

The Armory Arts Village (AAV) 

 

The 62 Armory ArtsWalk Apartments have been at full capacity during 2012, with resident artists exhibiting their art on-premises, conducting classes, and completing special projects such as the newly painted murals in the entranceway. They also participated in "Second Sunday" events during the warm-weather months.

 

EG and Community Accomplishments 

  • Great Lakes Industry, Inc.: 10 new jobs and 76 retained jobs with an investment of $2.1 Million for machinery and equipment (M&E).
  • HCL America, Inc.: New company to Jackson County. 300 new jobs with an investment of $3.35 Million.

  • Alro Riverside: Five new jobs and seven retained jobs with an investment of $1.3 Million for plant expansion and M&E.

  • Aetech Machining & Manufacturing, Inc.: 10 new jobs and 30 retained jobs with an investment of $853,029 for M&E.

  • Die-Namic Tool & Design, LLC.: Five new jobs and 14 retained jobs with an investment of $325,000 for M&E.

  • Scott Machine, Inc.: Three new jobs and five retained jobs with an investment of $1 Million for M&E.

  • Subway: New business in Napoleon Township. Twenty new jobs with an investment of $300,000.

  • Melling Tool Company: 10 new jobs and 25 retained jobs with an investment of $10.3 Million for building improvements and M&E.

  • Advance Turning in Sandstone Township: One new job and three retained jobs with an investment of $500,000 for M&E.

  • GSL Technology: Eight new jobs and four retained jobs with an investment of $240,000 for M&E.

  • Allied Chucker & Engineering: New investment of $731,617 for M&E.

    Advance Turning & Manufacturing:
    Five new jobs and five retained jobs with an investment of $2.2 Million for M&E.
  • Petty Machine & Tool, Inc.: Two new jobs and 35 retained jobs with an investment of $205,541 for M&E.

  • Centrum Force: Six new jobs and five retained jobs with an investment of $465,000 for M&E.

  • Main & Company: Two new jobs and 23 retained jobs with an investment of $650,000 for M&E.

  • K&A Machine & Tool: Four new jobs with an investment of $314,982 for M&E.

  • Midbrook Industrial Washers, Inc.: 60 new jobs and 38 retained jobs with an investment of over $7 Million. Company received an EDC Revolving Loan Fund of $200,000 in participation with a local lender.

Economic Development by the Numbers 

  

2012 EG and Community Accomplishments

308 Jobs retained/saved

461 New jobs created with

1,055 Indirect jobs created as a result

$37.3 Million in New investment to the community

 

All statistics are 2012 Year-to-date through December 31, 2012 


Reach EG Organizations: