LANSING ? Five West Michigan businesses has granted grants, loans and other economic assistance Wednesday from the Michigan Strategic Fund that will generate up to $15.7 million in private investment and add 465 new jobs.

?These new investments show once more Michigan?s highly competitive business climate and tremendous workforce capabilities mean real opportunities for leading edge companies,? said Michael Finney, MEDC President and CEO.

The recipients of the state?s financial incentives include:

Amway received $1.6 million in incentives to build a new facility in Ada Township, a project that will generate up to $80.95 million in new private investment for a new facility. The operation is planned to produce tablets and softgel capsules, resulting in the creation of 200 new jobs. Michigan was chosen over competing sites in other states. Ada Township has offered support to the project in the form of a 12-year tax abatement.

Center Manufacturing is a metal stamping company serving the commercial vehicle, power sports, agricultural and industrial markets. Center Manufacturing has won new contracts with Honda Power Sports and plans to invest up to $1.02 million to expand its Byron Township operations. Center Manufacturing expects the project to create 80 new jobs, resulting in a $300,000 Michigan Business Development Program incentive. Center Manufacturing was chosen for the contracts over competition in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. Byron Township has offered support to the project in the form of tax abatement.

Huntington Foam LLC, a custom foam shape molder for the appliance, plumbing, furniture, electronics and automotive industries, has received a $340,000 Michigan Business Development Program incentive to expand its current facility in the City of Greenville. Huntington Foam proposes to invest up to $2.56 million and create 30 new jobs as a result of the project. Michigan was chosen over neighboring states that were courting Huntington Foam over the last six months. The City of Greenville has offered support in the form of a 12 year property tax abatement to the project.

MedDirect, Inc., a Grand Rapids-based patient customer service and patient pay accounts receivable management company, was approved to receive a $750,000 Michigan Business Development Program incentive to open a new facility in the City of Grand Rapids. MedDirect proposes to invest up to $2.1 million and create up to 300 new jobs over the next three years. Michigan was chosen over sites in Ohio and Illinois. The City of Grand Rapids has offered support in the form of a seven-year personal property tax abatement to the project.

Muskegon Castings Corporation, a member of the Port City Group of companies, manufactures aluminum die castings, zinc die castings, plastic injection molding, and provides tool and die design and production, aluminum recycling and smelting, and LED lighting and assemblies. Muskegon Casting has received a $540,000 incentive to expand its existing Michigan operations by establishing a new facility in the City of Muskegon. Muskegon Castings proposes to invest up to $10 million, resulting in the creation of 55 new jobs. Michigan was chosen over a competing site in Indiana. The City of Muskegon has offered support to the project in the form of a 12-year tax abatement.

Signed into law by Governor Rick Snyder in December, the Michigan Business Development Program provides grants, loans and other economic assistance to qualified businesses that make investments or create jobs in Michigan, with preference given to businesses that need additional assistance for deal-closing and for second stage gap financing.

The Michigan Business Development Program replaces the state?s previous MEGA program that was a feature of the Michigan Business Tax that was eliminated under business tax restructuring legislation approved and signed into law by Snyder in May 2011. The Michigan Business Development Program and Michigan Community Revitalization Program are MEDC Business Attraction and Economic Gardening programs, supported by the MSF state general fund appropriation.

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