From Crain’s Detroit:
Some $55 million in tax credits for Ford Motor Co. to continue work in electric vehicle and battery development were among items that on Tuesday morning were to go before the Michigan Economic Growth Authority board.
In a news release, Ford said the refundable tax credits will be used to accelerate its plans to produce next-generation hybrids, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and battery electric vehicles.
According to state briefing memos, other Southeast Michigan projects up for state tax breaks at the MEGA board include:
• A $17.2 million Macomb Township investment by aerospace industry supplier Global Tooling Systems. The Utica-based company plans to relocate operations to Macomb Township, creating 184 jobs, according to state documents.
• An $8.9 million expansion at McLaren Performance Technologies in Livonia. The firm, which specializes in the design, development, integration and validation of powertrain systems, plans to create 34 jobs in an expansion to support power transfer unit business.
• A $2.23 million investment by Patrick Energy Services Inc. in Livonia. The company, which provides services that support utilities, transmission system operators and industrial clients, proposes to relocate its offices in Livonia to a larger building in Novi, adding 90 jobs.
• A more than $1 million investment by Michigan Seamless Tube L.L.C. in South Lyon, a manufacturer of carbon and alloy seamless cold drawn pipe and tube. The company is entering a technology collaboration with OG Technologies Inc. in Ann Arbor, for a tube inspection system. OG Technologies plans to create 20 jobs.
• A $946,000 investment by Royal Oak-based RIIS, L.L.C., a consulting and services firm. The company plans to expand its headquarters in Royal Oak or Southfield to accommodate new software and application development contracts, creating 40 jobs.
• A defense-related business and development center being established in Sterling Heights by BAE Systems Land and Armaments L.P. The $44 million project, creating 460 jobs, was approved for a $22 million MEGA tax credit in April 2008.
The element of the project before the MEGA board Tuesday was a brownfield redevelopment work plan proposing nearly $1.5 million in local and school tax capture to support the project.
• A 7.4 acre redevelopment in Hazel Park to include a new retail center featuring a Save-A-Lot grocery store, restaurant and retail/commercial space. The project by Hazel Park Development Company L.L.C. is expected to create 250 jobs, 150 of which would be permanent.