Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Tuesday that 40 new jobs are coming to Lenawee County after state officials approved a major expansion for Adrian Steel Company in Adrian. The project will add at least 40 jobs over the next five years and bring a $43,453,278 investment to the city.
The Michigan Strategic Fund Board approved the plan for a 112,000-square-foot addition to Adrian Steel’s existing facility, giving the company more room for raw material storage, cutting, forming, welding, painting, assembly, office functions and shipping operations. The board also approved a $320,000 performance-based grant through the Michigan Business Development Program and a five-year State Essential Services Assessment that will fully cover certain taxes.
Whitmer cast the project as part of the state’s effort to keep manufacturing work in Michigan. “Michigan is on the move and open for business, competing for and winning big projects in industries like steel manufacturing,” she said. She added that the announcement will create 40 good-paying jobs and help cement Michigan “as the best place to build the future.”
Adrian Steel, headquartered in Adrian, has grown into a nationwide leader in automotive aftermarket equipment and cargo management solutions for skilled trades. Officials said the expansion is the company’s largest investment since 1953, underscoring how much has changed since the business first put down roots in the city.
The public support package is broader than the state grant alone. The incentive is valued at up to $228,751 for $25,791,240 in eligible equipment and other personal property, and additional tax relief is expected from a property tax abatement from the City of Adrian and a State Education Tax reduction approved by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
Lisa Hewitt-Cruz said the company has long been part of Adrian’s economic base. “For generations, Adrian has invested in our community, provided quality employment opportunities for our residents, and contributed to the economic strength and stability of our city,” she said. “We appreciate their continued commitment to our community and proudly support their ongoing success.”
The approval gives Adrian Steel the public financing it needs to move ahead with the expansion, and the next measure that matters is whether the project delivers the jobs and investment promised over the coming five years.