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News & Events Blackman Township officials moving ahead with plans to bring businesses to DDA District

Blackman Township officials moving ahead with plans to bring businesses to Downtown Development Authority District
By Keith Roberts
Jackson...

Limits set on tax captures

Jackson-area government entities to set limits on tax captures

By Brad Flory
Jackson Citizen Patriot
May 16, 2010

The...

Armory Arts Village preparing to reopen gallery, begin warm-weather scheduling

By Bill Chapin | Jackson Citizen Patriot
Friday, April 23, 2010

Armory Arts Village, 100 Armory Court, will celebrate the arrival...

Tenneco expansion to add jobs

By Chris Gautz | Jackson Citizen Patriot
Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Tenneco plans to invest $3.5 million into its Grass Lake engineering...

ADCO Products will expand operations in Jackson County; move will create more than 200 jobs

By Chris Gautz/J. Scott Park
Jackson Citizen Patriot
March 17, 2010
In the next five years, more than 200 jobs will come to Michigan...

Jackson County Board approves giving $7.4 million in bonds to Jackson Public Schools

By Holly Klaft
Jackson Citizen Patriot
March 17, 2010

Jackson Public Schools will be the first to take advantage of low-interest...

ADCO Products in Jackson County awarded tax credit which may lead to 212 new jobs

By Chris Gautz
Jackson Citizen Patriot
March 16, 2010

A Michigan Center company that made its mark in the automotive industry...

Performance Automotive’s $1.2 million investment in Jackson expected to create 30 jobs

By Keith Roberts
Jackson Citizen Patriot
Thursday, March 11, 2010

Performance Automotive, a locally owned and operated auto...

Procurement Technical Assistance Center helps manufacturers diversify

By Ingrid Jacques
Jackson Citizen Patriot
Monday, March 8, 2010

Bill Hirsch, projects manager at Clarklake Machine Inc., wanted...

Jackson leaders bid farewell to Acme Building complex; structure to be demolished next week

By Keith Roberts | Jackson Citizen Patriot
Friday, February 5, 2010

The Acme Building complex, a symbol of Jacksons prison and manufacturing...

Kaneka building sale final

Maverick Industries closes deal to purchase former Kaneka Texas plant in Blackman Township; 90 jobs expected to be created

By Chris Gautz Bids taken on demolition of Acme complex near art district in Jackson

By Tarryl Q. Jackson
Friday, October 30, 2009

Jackson residents and visitors will soon be able to view an up-and-coming art district...

RTD Manufacturing gets contract to assemble materials for U.S. Army: update

By Chris Gautz | Jackson Citizen Patriot
October 26, 2009

Standing in front of the dozen or so employees left at RTD Manufacturing,...

RTD Manufacturing gets major military contract; deal expected to help retain jobs

By Chris Gautz
October 26, 2009

A local manufacturer has received a major military contract that is expected to create and retain jobs,...

Arts Village gallery can stay open all winter

By Bill Chapin
Sunday, October 25, 2009

October 25, 2009

One of the biggest complaints among the artists living at Armory Arts...

Multimillion-dollar horse park approved for Jackson County

By Jackie Smith
October 16, 2009

A multimillion-dollar horse park is coming to northern Jackson County.

The Enterprise Group...

Ten Michigan Counties to receive more than $5 million

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2009

CONTACT: Bill Shreck, MDOT Director of Communications, 517-335-3084

The Granholm Administration today...

Jackson County Board of Commissioners vote to designate county a Recovery Zone

By Holly Klaft
Jackson Citizen Patriot
Wednesday, August 19, 2009

About $28.7 million in federal bonds will be available to...

Recovery Zone designation could help Jackson County businesses and local governments

By Holly Klaft | Jackson Citizen Patriot
Friday August 07, 2009

Hard-to-find financing for major expansion or improvement projects...

Article about Armory Arts Village appears in Michigan Municipal League magazine

By Keith Roberts
Jackson Citizen Patriot
Saturday July 18, 2009, 12:17 AM

Jackson is getting more good publicity for Armory...

Albion’s Caster Concepts secures contract to produce casters and wheels for Ford

By Caitlin Schneider
Jackson Citizen Patriot
Thursday July 23, 2009, 2:22 PM

Some Ford employees will soon experience a little...

Demolition of Acme complex in Jackson supported by speakers at public hearing

By Keith Roberts
Jackson Citizen Patriot
Wednesday July 22, 2009, 11:16 PM

Acme Industries occupies a place in Jackson’s...

Senator Stabenow visits Jackson’s Armory Arts Village

July 13, 2009
Legal News Photo by Mary Steinmetz

Senator Debbie Stabenow recently visited the Jackson Armory Arts Village to honor...

Jackson area officials hope businesses can benefit from apprentice program

By Caitlin Schneider
Jackson Citizen Patriot
Tuesday July 07, 2009, 3:48 PM

If the old saying about teaching a man to fish...

UPDATE: City of Jackson, Enterprise Group get word that demolition of Acme building may proceed

By Jackson Citizen Patriot
Wednesday July 08, 2009, 12:37 PM

Jackson isn’t getting many new buildings these days, but at least...

Firms seek government work

Monday, July 06, 2009
By Caitlin Schneider
cschneider@citpat.com—768-4923

Government contracts are one way local businesses...

Sen. Stabenow glad to see progress at Armory Arts

Tuesday, June 30, 2009
By Chris Gautz
cgautz@citpat.com--768-4926

U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow toured the Armory Arts Village on...

Financing woes stall redevelopment of former Kaneka facility in Blackman Township

By Holly Klaft
Jackson Citizen Patriot
Friday June 26, 2009, 12:24 AM

Harsh economic conditions are hampering a company’s...

Stakes high in race to build horse park in Jackson

By Jackson Citizen Patriot
Tuesday June 23, 2009, 8:57 AM

It appears more and more likely that equestrian enthusiasts in Jackson will...

County projects could get aid from stimulus program

Wednesday, June 24, 2009
By Keith Roberts
kroberts@citpat.com—768-4922

A new federal stimulus program could make it easier...

3 plans submitted for big horse park

3 plans submitted for big horse park

Saturday, June 13, 2009
By Heidi Fenton
hfenton@citpat.com-- 768-4945

Officials...

Business owners could get free loans

Small-business owners in Jackson County may qualify for interest-free loans
by Chris Gautz
Wednesday June 17, 2009

Small businesses...

Two Jackson doctors get creative with sculpting class at Armory Arts Village

By Monetta Harr
Jackson Citizen Patriot
Wednesday April 29, 2009

In the operating room, Dr. Pramit S. Malhotra is limited by...

County gets $1 million brownfield cleanup grant

By Holly Klaft and Brad Flory
Jackson Citizen Patriot
Saturday May 09, 2009

Jackson County on Friday landed a $1 million grant...

Enterprise Group targets China

Monday, May 04, 2009
By Chris Gautz
cgautz@citpat.com
768-4926

The Enterprise Group is taking a unique approach to business...

Jackson City Council puts Phase 2 of Armory Arts Village on hold

By Fredricka Paul
Jackson Citizen Patriot
Wednesday April 22, 2009

Ruth Ojeda clutched old marketing material promoting the...

Blackman DDA to review bids for road work near new Holiday Inn

Tuesday, April 21, 2009
By Keith Roberts
kroberts@citpat.com
768-4922

The future of Northpointe Town Center may be uncertain,...

Shopping center developer gets year extension

Posted by Kristin Longley
Jackson Citizen Patriot
April 22, 2008

The developer of a new shopping center slated for Blackman...

Officials eye spruced-up Cooper

Plans to place Cooper Street ‘Welcome Mat’ to downtown Jackson moving forward
By Keith Roberts
Jackson Citizen Patriot Two Jackson County groups among five vying for multimillion-dollar horse park

by Chris Gautz and Steven Hepker
Jackson Citizen Patriot
Monday February 09, 2009

Two groups from Jackson County are among...

Resident artists taking the lead at Armory Arts Village

by Bill Chapin
Jackson Citizen Patriot
Sunday, February 8, 2009

Residents of Armory Arts Village are developing an association...

EG leader gets high marks

Thursday, February 05, 2009
By Chris Gautz
cgautz@citpat.com
768-4926

A year ago this week, Scott Fleming walked into...

High-tech packaging company to open in former Kaneka Texas plant

By Chris Gautz
Jackson Citizen Patriot
Tuesday, February 3, 2009

A high-tech packaging company plans to open next month in...

Artist’s Obama piece displayed in Washington

Jason Caldwell is a graduate of the City’s Incubator, which was managed by The Enterprise Group of Jackson and the Small Business & Technology...

ARMORY ARTS - Fleming: Artists are more involved

Enterprise Group leader says artists getting more involved at Armory Arts Village
By Keith Roberts
Jackson Citizen Patriot
Thursday,...

Project Welcome Mat - Cooper Street’s unwelcoming signs eyed

By Keith Roberts
Citizen Patriot
Thursday, January 22, 2009

The sign for downtown Jackson at the Cooper Street exit on I-94...

Goodbye to 2008

Our Voice
Jackson Citizen Patriot
Wednesday, December 31, 2008

This year was filled with disappointments.

Front pages...

EG on its way to $2 million goal

by Chris Gautz
Jackson Citizen Patriot
Monday December 29, 2008

Three months into a two-year capital campaign, The Enterprise...

EG gets boost in funding

Thursday, November 20, 2008
By Fredricka Paul
fpaul@citpat.com—768-4927

The city of Jackson has added an extra zero to...

Armory Arts Village resident creates and teaches art

Sunday, November 09, 2008
By Rene RosencrantzFor the Citizen Patriot

One day might find Armory Arts resident Mary Jean Westerlund,...

Closing incubator good for business

By Jackson Citizen Patriot

Sunday November 09, 2008

The following is a Jackson Citizen Patriot editorial:

It may have been...

EG plans virtual incubator

Saturday, November 01, 2008
By Chris Gautz
cgautz@citpat.com—768-4926

As Jackson’s business incubator prepares to...

Armory Arts and Westwinds raise money with 24-hour event

By Will Keeler
October 26, 2008

Art of many mediums came alive Friday evening and Saturday at the Armory Arts Village, where dozens...

Leaders plotting development of SmartZone

Thursday, October 16, 2008
By Chris Gautz
cgautz@citpat.com
-- 768-4926

Fresh off the success of securing a coveted...

Blackman a SmartZone

Wednesday, October 15, 2008
By Chris Gautz
cgautz@citpat.com
768-4926

Blackman Township is now one of 15 SmartZone technology...

Artist community wins state award

By Fredricka Paul
Jackson Citizen Patriot
October 08, 2008

Armory Arts Village has been named the 2008 Community Excellence...

Big project could mean 1,200 new jobs

Posted by Chris Gautz | Citizen Patriot October 03, 2008 09:01AM
Categories: Top Stories
A small machine shop in Jackson has been tapped...

Enterprise Group widens focus

Sunday, September 14, 2008
By Chris Gautz
cgautz@citpat.com
768-4926

Quantum. Windmill. Cookie.

Those names...

Horse park still possible in county

Saturday, August 30, 2008
By Steven Hepker
shepker@citpat.com—768-4923

Jackson County remains in the running for a 1,000-acre...

IMPORTANT BRIEFING - HORSE PARK FEASIBILITY STUDY

In early 2007 the Michigan Equine Partnership (MEP) commissioned Public Sector Consultants to conduct a demand and feasibility study to determine whether...

County grant spells progress for the EG

Posted by Jackson Citizen Patriot
August 26, 2008 07:19AM
Categories: Editorial

If we were Scott Fleming, executive director...

Enterprise Group markets Kaneka facility

Posted by Chris Gautz
Citizen Patriot
August 24, 2008 00:08AM
Categories: Business

The Enterprise Group is taking a...

County mulls $100K for EG

Friday, August 15, 2008
By Chris Gautz
cgautz@citpat.com
—768-4926

Jackson County might shell out an additional...

Great Lakes Industry to expand

Posted by Keith Roberts
Jackson Citizen Patriot
August 01, 2008 09:25AM

Great Lakes Industry is planning to create 15 jobs...

Jackson, four others fight for 3 SmartZones

Sunday, July 27, 2008
By Chris Gautz
cgautz@citpat.com—768-4926

After Jackson was denied a SmartZone designation in 2001,...

Fleming: Jackson faces tough competition

Sunday, July 27, 2008
By Chris Gautz
cgautz@citpat.com—768-4926

Scott Fleming says Jackson has some tough competition...

Machine shop may hire 20

Friday, July 25, 2008
By Chris Gautz
cgautz@citpat.com
768-4926

A small, family-owned manufacturing business is looking...

Blackman developing site

Tuesday, July 01, 2008
By Chris Gautz
cgautz@citpat.com—768-4926

Regardless of whether the state approves Jackson County’s...

Business plan is given to state

Monday, June 30, 2008
By Chris Gautz
cgautz@citpat.com—768-4926

Scott Fleming hand-delivered a high-tech pen Friday morning...

SmartZone is one step closer

On behalf of the community and the Blackman Township Local Development Finance Authority (LDFA), The Enterprise Group of Jackson, Inc. submitted the...

Production Engineerings expansion plans bring new jobs to Jackson community

JACKSON, MICH.  Production Engineering Inc., a manufacturer of precision machined components for specialty truck and construction equipment axles,...

Jackson Area Manufacturers Association and The Academy for Manufacturing Careers Celebrates Certific

The Jackson Area Manufacturers Associations (JAMA) Academy for Manufacturing Careers is proud to announce the graduation of our students who have completed...

Artists’ complex is more than half full

Wednesday, June 11, 2008
By Fredricka Paul
fpaul@citpat.com—768-4927

Jane Robinson thinks of herself as a proud mother...

LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL UNITS MUST ACT IMMEDIATELY TO RECOVER LOST TAX REVENUE

The Michigan Townships Association announced that Local Tax Capture Authorities Have Until JUNE 15 to Recover Lost Tax Revenue

Legislation...

Pharmaceutical support firm already planning expansion

Tuesday, May 20, 2008
By Keith Roberts
kroberts@citpat.com—768-4922

At most ribbon-cutting ceremonies for new companies,...

City has a say in effort to keep company in county

Monday, April 21, 2008

By Fredricka Paul
fpaul@citpat.com—768-4927

Keeping Production Engineering in the county is now...

Tax break eyed to keep plant

Tuesday, April 15, 2008
By Keith Roberts
kroberts@citpat.com—768-4922

Production Engineering has outgrown its Summit Township...

County, city awarded a combined $1.4 million to clean up brownfields

Wednesday, April 09, 2008
By Kristin Longley
klongley@citpat.com—768-4917

The county and city of Jackson have won a combined...

EG’s work is praised

Tuesday, April 08, 2008
By Kristin Longley
klongley@citpat.com—768-4917

One year ago this week, Jackson County commissioners...

Real World Fixes for Small Manufacturers

Through the Jackson Area Manufacturers Association (JAMA), The Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (MMTC), an Michigan Economic Development Corporation...

Trans Pharm Settling Into Jackson

Trans Pharm received the first 200,000 draw from the state a couple weeks ago.  All of the lab equipment is being moved back into the lab and yesterday...

RSS Subscribe to the News Feed Development Packet

Tax break eyed to keep plant

Tuesday, April 15, 2008
By Keith Roberts
kroberts@citpat.com—768-4922

Production Engineering has outgrown its Summit Township plant and could move to Indiana.

But Blackman Township and Jackson officials are considering an agreement to give the company a tax break to keep the plant—and its 300 jobs—here.

Production Engineering’s 65,000-square-foot plant at 2330 Brooklyn Road was built in 1982, expanded in 1989 and 1994, and can’t be expanded any more, said Jim Jansen, president and co-owner of the company.

``We have to look at our best viable options,’’ Jansen said Monday. ``We have to find or build a larger facility.’’

Jansen said the company is looking at an existing building in northern Indiana but would rather build a new, 100,000-square-foot building on 15 acres on County Farm Road owned by the Blackman Township Local Development Finance Authority, a move proposed by the Michigan Economic Development Corp. The Blackman land is next to TAC Manufacturing.

Production Engineering, a family-owned business started in 1974, makes precision-machined parts—primarily drive train and steering components for heavy trucks, construction equipment and materials-handling industries.

The company has about 130 employees and expects to add 15 to 20 jobs per year if it can expand. ``We do expect continued growth,’’ Jansen said.

The Blackman Township Board has called a special meeting for 6 p.m. Thursday to discuss an agreement with the Jackson City Council to facilitate the move.

Jansen said he is optimistic the township board will approve the agreement.

``You never know the results of the vote, but I think it’s in the best interest of Jackson County and the best interest of Production Engineering if we have a positive vote,’’ he said.

Blackman Township Supervisor Raymond Snell was cautious but said the board is always looking to do what it can to promote economic development.

``It’s easier to keep what you have than try to recruit new (businesses),’’ Snell said. ``That’s what the board is considering.’’

Snell said even though the property is in the township, only the city can designate it as a Renaissance Zone and make it eligible for property tax abatement for up to 20 years, so the township needs the City Council’s help.

``This all depends on everything working together,’’ Snell said.

Under the agreement, the township would transfer jurisdiction of the property to the city for tax purposes, but the city would have limited authority over it.

Snell said he didn’t have an estimate of the property tax savings for the company, but it would be substantial. Jansen said he didn’t have an estimate either and the tax savings aren’t as important as having room to grow.

If the township approves the agreement, the city would consider it. City Manager William Ross said the company has roots in the community and no one wants it to leave because it doesn’t have room to grow.

``Certainly in today’s economic times you don’t want to be losing those jobs in the community if you can help it,’’ Ross said.

But Ross said while he has discussed the agreement with Snell, City Council members haven’t had a chance to discuss it with their counterparts on the township board.

``There needs to be some discussion of issues so this can move forward,’’ Ross said.

Summit Township Supervisor James Dunn said he doesn’t want to lose Production Engineering, but the company looked for other locations in Summit Township and didn’t find any, and he would much rather see it go to Blackman Township than Indiana.

``We need to make sure we are supportive of businesses that want to be in the Jackson area whether it’s Summit Township or not,’’ Dunn said.