2013 a good year for economic development in Battle Creek

Kathy Jennings | Thursday, March 6, 2014

It was a good year for economic development in Battle Creek in 2013 and Site Selection Magazine took notice.

The publication that calls itself the magazine of corporate real estate strategy and area economic development ranks Battle Creek No. 6 nationally for economic development projects in communities with a population of less than 200,000.

For 2013, Battle Creek had seven projects announced, totaling $345.1 million in capital investment, and the creation of 1,353 new jobs.

The projects include Bleistahl North America, Post Foods, 269 Lofts at the Heritage, TRMI, Inc., Systex Products Corporation, Cosma Casting Michigan, and DENSO Manufacturing Michigan.

Cosma Casting Michigan led the way with 572 jobs and an investment of about $162 million to open an automotive casting components and systems facility.

Denso is investing about $105 million and will add 266 jobs at its manufacturing facility in Battle Creek. The includes 46 professional and skilled trade jobs and 220 manufacturing jobs. It will produce advanced thermal components, including new lines for radiator and condenser products, at the plant in Fort Custer Industrial Park.

Post Foods said it would spend $30 million to consolidate its manufacturing headquarters in Battle Creek., creating 92 jobs, and relocating more than 15 leadership positions there.

Bleistahl North America, which makes valve drive components, is investing $11.5 million to create 58 new jobs in the Fort Custer Industrial Park.

Systex Products Corp., a Denso Corp., told of plans to create 12 jobs.

This is the second straight year Battle Creek has ranked in Site Selection Magazine's Top 10 nationally. In 2012, Battle Creek shared second place for metro populations of less than 200,000. It had 13 projects with $103.7 million in capital investment and 688 new jobs created.

"Battle Creek’s attractive business climate, moderate cost of doing business, workforce and training resources, coupled with a strong community relationship with employers are consistently listed as positive attributes by companies investing in Battle Creek,” says states Karl Dehn, President and CEO of Battle Creek Unlimited.

Source: Alyssa Jones, Battle Creek Unlimited