Governor Gretchen Whitmer today announced an economic development grant for Superior Extrusion, Inc (SEI) to support the company’s expansion and creation of 44 new jobs at its location at Sawyer International Airport in Forsyth Township.
“As we put Michigan back to work, these grants demonstrate the collaborative efforts around economic development and infrastructure we are taking here in the state,” said Governor Whitmer. “We continue to move forward with creating good jobs for Michiganders while ensuring safe roads for drivers, which will help our state emerge from the pandemic stronger than before. Let’s get it done.”
SEI is a national leader in extruded aluminum products, producing and shipping more than 3,200 custom and standard profiles from its location in the Upper Peninsula. The company uses multiple hydraulic presses to create the aluminum shapes needed to make vehicle parts, docks, trailers, boats, and many other products. In 2020, SEI shipped more than 35 million pounds of extruded aluminum to customers across the county and currently has 160 employees on the site. The company’s increased business demands require them to expand their facilities; however, the only option is to the south on land currently occupied by 11th Street, the main route into the airport.
“Superior Extrusion, Inc. has grown tremendously over the past 23 years and expects continued growth in the future due to increasing demands of current customers as well as the addition of new customers and the production of electric vehicles,” said SEI Chairman of the Board George LaBlonde III. “We sincerely appreciate our partnership with our local partners, the State of Michigan and the Federal Aviation Administration for their ongoing support as our company continues to grow at Sawyer International Airport and the increased safety and efficient traffic flow that will result in the current expansion.”
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has awarded a state TEDF grant in the amount of $660,000 to help fund infrastructure improvements associated with the expansion pending all relevant federal approvals. This TEDF grant will help support work performed by the Marquette County Road Commission (MCRC), including relocating 11th Street, building a new roundabout and road from the existing 11th Street south to 10th Street, resurfacing and adding turn lanes on Kelly Johnson Memorial Drive and 10th Street, and other associated road improvements. MCRC is contributing $482,811 to the project.
“The road commission is pleased and excited that we were able work with MDOT and SEI to secure a Category A grant that will help SEI in their expansion efforts,” said James M. Iwanicki, P.E., MCRC engineer manager. “The relocation of 11th Street along with the improvements to Kelly Johnson Memorial Drive and 10th Street will greatly improve the road system for the traveling public.”
The Michigan Strategic Fund has also authorized an amendment increasing the company’s existing Michigan Business Development Program (MBDP) grant to $422,000 to help secure an additional $20.4 million in investment by SEI in Michigan over competing sites in Iowa and Ohio. The company originally received a $150,000 MBDP grant in 2017 for the creation of 30 jobs. Prior to this amendment, SEI had met the first jobs and investment milestones required.
“It has been exciting to see Superior Extrusion’s growth over the years. Their new expansion is not only providing investment to the Sawyer area but also additional family sustaining jobs,” said Lake Superior Community Partnership Director of Business Development Mary Myers. “We’re very fortunate to have them in Marquette County.”
The project will provide competitive wages that align with a strategic focus of the Michigan Economic Development Corp. in supporting manufacturing industry growth in the state. The project will represent one of the largest manufacturing expansions in the U.P. in years.
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