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Gov. Whitmer Announces Michigan Wins 2 Business Expansions, Bringing 65 Good-Paying Jobs to Hudsonville and Schoolcraft

Government and Politics

April 20, 2023

From: Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer

LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to announce two business expansion projects expected to create a total of 65 new jobs and generate a total private investment of nearly $4 million have received support from the Michigan Strategic Fund. The projects are in Hudsonville and Schoolcraft.

“Today’s investments will create 65 good-paying jobs and bring nearly $4 million of investment to Hudsonville and Schoolcraft, building on Michigan’s economic momentum,” said Governor Whitmer. “Thanks to powerful, bipartisan economic development tools, we have brought home thousands of good-paying manufacturing jobs and critical supply chains, added 75,000 jobs year over year, and secured billions of dollars of investment across the state. Let’s keep working together to grow our economy and ensure families, communities, and businesses can thrive in Michigan.”

“The decisions by these companies to expand in Michigan highlight the strength of our advanced manufacturing and medical device sectors and further demonstrate Team Michigan’s commitment to delivering long-term economic growth for all Michiganders,” said MEDC Sr. Vice President of Regional Prosperity Matt McCauley. “These projects are wins for the entire state. We are grateful to the Governor, legislators of both parties and local officials for their continued support of our efforts.  These projects reflect our commitment to ensuring that Michigan becomes an even better place for each of our 10 million-plus friends and neighbors to live, work, visit, play, and create futures. Work remains ahead, yet we are grateful for the vote of confidence that continues to be shown in Team Michigan’s economic environment.”

APEX Controls, LLC provides automation, control systems, electrical installation, and panel building services to many industries, from food and beverage to automotive and beyond. Apex, in business for 32 years, has a rich history of partnering with businesses to improve their manufacturing process through automation. The company is based in Hudsonville and employs 62 Michiganders.APEX Controls plans to undertake a renovation and expansion of its existing Hudsonville-based facility. The project builds on the state’s initiative to position itself as the global leader in high-tech innovation.

The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $3 million and create 30 well-paying jobs, supported by a $200,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen for the project over competing sites in Illinois, Indiana and Ohio.

“Over the last two years, we have grown significantly and increased our workforce of engineers, electricians, and technicians from 42 to 62,” said APEX Chief Financial Officer Andy Winkel. “Because of this growth, we’re expanding our footprint through the purchase of an adjacent building as well as the renovation and expansion of our existing facility.  We plan to invest over $3 million in the expansion project, which will enable us to add at least 30 more employees to our talented workforce.”

The project builds on the state’s work to position itself as the global leader in high-tech innovation and underscores Michigan’s strengths in enabling the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies. APEX is actively involved with several organizations in the community, including Habitat for Humanity and several local high school robotics clubs. For more information about APEX, visit www.apexcontrolsinc.com.

The city of Hudsonville has offered a 50-percent tax abatement in support of the project.

For information on careers with APEX Controls, visit https://apexcontrols.cc/our-company/careers/.

“Hudsonville is pleased to have APEX Controls expand and continue to provide local employment opportunities,” said Hudsonville City Manager R. Tyler Dotson. “APEX has always been an active member of the community and we’re thankful for their continued commitment to the city.”

C2Dx, Inc. manufactures and sells innovative, best-in-class medical devices that are used in emergency and surgical situations. The company employs 19 Michiganders at its headquarters in Schoolcraft as well as sales associates nationwide.

The company plans to relocate and install manufacturing machinery and equipment that is currently in Mexico, onshoring the production to its Michigan facility. The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $998,500 and create 35 high-wage jobs, supported by a $300,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen for the project over competing sites in Tennessee and Mexico.

“C2Dx is excited to be able to continue to bring jobs to Michigan and grow the medical device industry locally,” said C2Dx Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Brant. “As a fast-growing business that has manufacturing, distribution, customer service, and direct sales, we offer a variety of career opportunities to the community. We are proud to continue to support our customers, patients and surgeons, from Kalamazoo. Thank you to MEDC and Southwest Michigan First for all of your support.”

C2Dx supports the personal growth of its employees by offering training and professional programs and promotions from within whenever possible. The company also offers full benefits, volunteer days, performance-based bonuses, and more, all within an engaging culture. This project builds on the state’s work to position itself as a leader in the life sciences and medical device industry, further helping to make Michigan a top-tier location for medical device development and manufacturing.

Southwest Michigan First has provided staff time and resources in support of the project. For information on careers with C2Dx, visit https://c2dx.co/about/employment-opportunities/.

“Southwest Michigan First is excited to see C2Dx acquire a new product line, growing their innovative portfolio of manufactured medical devices,” said Southwest Michigan First CEO Jonas Peterson. “This million-dollar investment will help create up to 35 new jobs, deepening our region’s rich life science legacy. We are grateful for our partners at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the village of Schoolcraft for their support of this project and we look forward to supporting C2Dx as they continue to thrive in Southwest Michigan.”

“I’m excited to see the investments into the Schoolcraft community that will continue to build a thriving economy in Southwest Michigan,” said Senator Sean McCann (D- Kalamazoo). “This investment will bring C2Dx, Inc. jobs to their Schoolcraft headquarters and ensure our community is competitive in the medical device industry.”