Northwest Wayne News

Proponents of electric vehicles are praising Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's commitment to an electric future. The governor recently joined the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to announce two new EV business expansions that are expected to create 184 high-paying jobs in the state. 

The expansions have been approved by the Michigan Strategic Fund and are expected to bolster Michigan's status as a leader in EV.

“Today’s projects reinforce our commitment to providing long-term economic growth for all Michiganders by highlighting the continued strength of our state’s talented workforce and our leadership positions in advanced manufacturing and an electrified mobility future,” Quentin L. Messer Jr.; CEO of MEDC, and president and chair of the MSF Board; said in a recent press release from the governor’s office. “We are grateful to the Governor, legislators, the Michigan Strategic Fund Board, and local officials for their continued support of the Michigan Business Development Program, which was critical to bringing these efforts to life here in the state. These projects reflect our commitment to seizing opportunities that ensure Michigan becomes an even better place for each of our 10 million-plus friends and neighbors to live, work, visit, play, and create futures.”

To respond to the growing demand for electric vehicles, UTAC is expanding an existing facility in the Charter Township of Redford and creating a testing facility. There, it will perform automotive and mobility testing. It will also serve as the company's headquarters in the U.S. 

The project will create a total capital investment of $26.2 million and create over 80 high-wage jobs, the release said. It will also receive funding in the form of an $850,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant.

“The decision to expand our test and systems build facilities to include Electrified Vehicle powertrain testing reaffirms our commitment to this rapidly growing industry,” Dustin Harrison, UTAC USA managing director, said in the release. “UTAC will play an integral role in the EV testing industry and will create high-tech, quality jobs in our community for the electrified future. Our bespoke designed powertrain and battery test systems will be able to support design validation, controls calibration, and replicate the performance of full-scale production according to our customers’ unique specifications. Globally UTAC provides end to end vehicle validation at all levels. We look forward to advancing the sustainable future in Michigan and beyond.”

“Today’s investments will create 184 jobs and help us continue growing our economy,” Whitmer said in the release. “Since I took office, we’ve added 21,600 auto jobs and today’s projects will keep building on that progress. These investments are possible because we worked side by side last December to enact historic, bipartisan economic development legislation that has empowered us to compete for more dollars and jobs, including the $7 billion investment from GM we landed in January. We will continue building on our leadership in mobility and electrification solutions by supporting business growth in our communities. Our economy is growing and thanks to projects like these, we will keep moving Michigan forward.”