Economic Development Alliance of St. Clair County

Business, Community & Economic Development Update

A Monthly highlight of Jobs, Investments & Regional Projects

St. Clair County Economic Impact:

• Attraction / New Business - $16 Million 
• Community Investment Projects - $36 Million
• Business Retention & Expansion - $518 Million 

Magna Expansion Press Conference & Groundbreaking

Pictured above from left to right: Dan Casey, CEO, EDA of St. Clair County; Jeff Bohm, St. Clair County Commissioner; Karry Hepting, St. Clair County Administrator; Bill Cedar, Mayor, City of St. Clair; Jen Nelson, Chief Operating & Customer Service Experience Officer, Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC); Greg Ross, Manager, Magna; and Magna officials Andy Hrasky, Don Maahs, Elisio Santos, and Debbie Maahs.

Magna Electric Vehicle Structures (MEVS) is making a major EV battery production investment of $426 million in a second state-of-the art manufacturing facility in St. Clair County, Michigan. The existing facility in the St. Clair Industrial Park will be expanded by 740,000 square feet and will result in 920 new jobs being created over three years.

At a Press conference held by the EDA and Magna on Tuesday, October 25th, Dan Casey, discussed the regional multiplier effect and "spin-off" investments that will occur as a result of the expansion. A project of this magnitude will significantly increase the flow of money into the local economy and spur new housing developments, boost retail & dining expenditures, and create an increase in consumer sales and personal services. Area hotels also receive significant benefits from economic development projects such as this. This year alone, Magna has booked approximately 1,000 local hotel stays for business and project related travel.

Watch EBWTV - Magna Project Video

Watch CTV - Magna / EDA Press Conference

EDA & Partners Connect Dunn Paper Employees

with St. Clair County Jobs

Recently, Dunn Paper announced the closure of their Port Huron mill following nearly 100 years of operation in the community. The EDA worked quickly to connect Dunn employees with career opportunities at several St. Clair County businesses. Our efforts to retain Dunn Paper talent in the region began with collecting hiring information (job title, job description, wages, benefits), on over 100 open positions from St. Clair County businesses. Hiring data results were shared with Dunn Paper employees to begin exploring new local job opportunities. The Macomb-St. Clair Michigan Works! conducted workshops at the mill for employees to assist them in preparing their resumes and to sharpen up their interviewing skills. On the final two days of operation, we conducted job fairs from 6:00 am to 8:00 am at the mill with 14 local businesses.

Manufacturing Day Relaunches in St. Clair County

October 2022 saw the relaunch of Manufacturing Day throughout St. Clair County. Manufacturing operations opened their doors to host high school students on tours and introduce them to a variety of rewarding careers available in manufacturing. Approximately 930 St. Clair County students participated in tours at our local manufacturing operations. The EDA and RESA partner to put this event together, with the EDA recruiting participating companies and RESA coordinating the tours with the high schools and companies. RESA also provides the transportation for the students to and from the businesses. Thank you to these manufacturers who opened their doors to the next generation of St. Clair County workers:

• PTM Corporation hosted students from Algonac, Marine City, and St. Clair High Schools
• Grace Engineering and Prosper-Tech hosted students from Memphis High School
• R&E Automated Systems hosted students from Capac High School
• Magna Electric Vehicle Structures, PJ Wallbank Springs, and Paumac Tubing hosted students from Marysville High School
• Magna Electric Vehicle Structures, BioPro, Michigan Metal Coatings, and NORMA Group hosted students from Port Huron High School
• Blue Water Controls hosted students from Yale High School

Photos courtesy of PTM Corporation

EDA Board of Directors

EDA's Board of directors is represented by a group of community leaders from the private and public sector committed to economic prosperity and growth in St. Clair County and improving residents' quality of life. Working together, they support the EDA team to promote the region, create a healthy business climate for businesses to grow and encourage new business development. At the bi-monthly meeting, EDA team members provide updates on marketing efforts, business attraction, expansion, and community development projects and EDA initiatives. Board Members also share news & information from their respective industry or company during the open roundtable.

Talent Attraction Marketing Kit Developed for EDA Member Investors

The EDA has assembled a Talent Attraction Toolkit designed to assist EDA Member Investor businesses successfully recruit talent. As your company seeks out qualified candidates, we hope this toolkit can be a resource that helps persuade them to come work for you in St. Clair County. If you are a supporting Member Investor of The Economic Development Alliance and would like a copy, please email Tina Frazer (tfrazer@edascc.com).

Talent Attraction & Retention Articles Worth Considering:

How to Attract Talent in 2022

6 Creative Ways to Source Tech Talent Faster in 2022

25+ Employee Referral Statistics You Should Know in 2022

Top 100 Hiring Statistics for 2022

A few of the latest Hot Jobs Available

• Controller / St. Clair County Community College ($90,000-$100,000 annually)
• Sales Account Manager / Mueller Impacts Company (From $95,000 a year)
• Informatics Coordinator / SCC Human Resources ($46,994-$61,844 annually)
• Risk Management Specialist / Huntington National Bank ($80,000 - $90,000 annually)
• Engineering Analyst / SEMCO Energy ($71,500-$107,500)
• Registered Nurse, Emergency Department. / McLaren ($1,560-$3,996 per week)

Please refer friends or family members that would be good candidates to help fill these positions. Learn about many more Hot Jobs on our website. To submit a full-time Hot Job (salary of $20 per hour or higher), please fill out this form. The EDA regularly markets Hot Job opportunities on social media.

Underground Gives $15,000 to Area Entrepreneurs

Congratulations to the latest round of Emerge Fund grant recipients. The Underground is proud to support these local entrepreneurs.

Our Shoreline.  Your Horizon. 

EDA Member Investors...Thank you!

We appreciate the commitment and support of our investors and partners. EDA members understand the importance and benefit of community & economic development as a catalyst

for regional growth, prosperity and building resilient communities . 

The EDA team is proud to serve the St. Clair County business community.

EDA of St. Clair County, Michigan / Growing St. Clair County's local economy since 1952 through business, community and economic development.