LANSING, MI (WHTC-AM/FM, Oct. 1, 2025) – As one long-time business anchor gets ready to close in Zeeland, another is about to take its place.
JR Automation, which broke ground last month on a 210,000 square-foot plant and a 40,000 square-foot headquarters at the intersection of Riley Street and 84th Avenue, was awarded a $1.6 million-dollar grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation on Tuesday. The money from the performance-based, Michigan Business Development Program will go towards the $72.8 million parent company Hitachi will pour into the project, with the goal of creating at least 150 jobs over the next three years.
The new facility is expected to expand JA’s automated manufacturing technology reach into more industries, merging the work at three existing locations along the Lakeshore into a single complex when completed early in 2027. Tax abatements from the city of Zeeland and from the state Department of Education totaling nearly $12 million were also approved for the project.
In July, clock-maker Howard Miller announced plans to cease operations by early 2026, after nearly 100 years, due to a variety of factors.
Comments