LANSING ? The Michigan Economic Growth Authority approved this week incentives for 16 companies and one brownfield redevelopment project to make $2.1 billion in investments in Michigan that could create 6,000 new jobs while retaining another 216,000.

The Michigan Economic Development Corp. said the investments include Ford, General Motors and Chrysler, guaranteeing the auto industry’s long-term future in Michigan.

“This historic investment means thousands of new jobs for our state and the retention of tens of thousands more,” Gov. Jennifer Granholm. “Our continuing efforts to bring new investment and jobs to Michigan are paying dividends.”

The Michigan Economic Growth Authority board approved incentives to win the following projects for Michigan over competing states and countries:

PLYMOUTH CHARTER TOWNSHIP – Cequent Performance Products Inc. – The designer, manufacturer and marketer of aftermarket accessories for the transportation industry plans to invest $3.4 million to broaden its research and development and sales operations in Plymouth Charter Township. The project is expected to create up to 115 total jobs, including the potential for as many as 60 directly at the company. The MEDC estimates the increased economic activity created by this program has the potential to create an additional 55 indirect jobs. Based on the MEDC’s recommendation, the MEGA board approved a state tax credit valued at $896,963 over six years to convince the company to expand in Michigan over a competing site in Indiana.

STERLING HEIGHTS – Chrysler Group LLC ? The company is considering a $1 billion investment in its Sterling Heights Assembly Plant and the Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance in Dundee to produce future models predicated on receiving inducements from the state as well as local governments. The project is expected to retain up to 92,920 total jobs, including up to 20,000 directly at the company. The MEDC estimates the increased economic activity created by the project has the potential to retain an additional 72,290 indirect jobs. Based on the MEDC’s recommendation, the MEGA board approved a state tax credit valued at $1.3 billion over 20 years to encourage the company to expand in Michigan over a competing site in Ohio. The city of Sterling Heights is considering an abatement to support the project.

FENTON – Creative Foam Corp. ? The designer and manufacturer of foams and plastics for customers in the automotive and medical industries plans to invest $1.5 million in an expansion in Fenton to manufacture materials to supply the renewable energy market, with the final product being a core kit that is used in the production of wind turbine blades. The project is expected to create up to 144 total jobs, including 63 directly at the company. The MEDC estimates the increased economic activity created by this program has the potential to create an additional 81 indirect jobs. Based on the MEDC’s recommendation, the MEGA board approved a state tax credit valued at $362,386 over five years to encourage the company to expand in Michigan over a competing site in Colorado.

GRAND RAPIDS – Dematic Corp. ? The designer and manufacturer of automated material-handling systems plans to invest $10.9 million to expand its R&D, administrative services, sales and in-house production in Grand Rapids. The project is expected to create up to 910 total jobs, including 505 directly at the company. The MEDC estimates the increased economic activity created by this program has the potential to create an additional 405 indirect jobs. Based on the MEDC’s recommendation, the MEGA board approved a state tax credit valued at $3.2 million over five years to encourage the company to expand in Michigan instead of competing sites in Kentucky and Utah.

AUBURN HILLS – Dokka Fasteners Inc. ? The new-to-Michigan manufacturer of hot-formed bolts primarily for the wind industry plans to invest $21 million to establish a manufacturing, coating and distribution operation in Auburn Hills. The company is expected to create up to 168 total jobs, including 90 directly by the company. The MEDC estimates the increased economic activity created by the project may create an additional 78 indirect jobs. Based on the MEDC’s recommendation, the MEGA board approved a state tax credit valued at $1.5 million over seven years to convince the company to expand in Michigan over competing sites in Missouri and Illinois. The MEDC also supports job training funding of $60,500 and a State Education Tax abatement valued at $28,000.

GRAND RAPIDS – Dynamic Captioning LLC ? The provider of broadcast-quality captioning, encoding and subtitling services to media companies within the film and television industries plans to invest $554,000 to establish a service center in Grand Rapids. The project is expected to create 56 total jobs, including 40 directly at the company. The MEDC estimates the increased economic activity has the potential to create an additional 16 indirect jobs. Based on the MEDC’s recommendation, the MEGA board approved a state tax credit valued at $169,629 over five years to encourage the company to permanently locate in Michigan over a competing site in New York.

CANTON TOWNSHIP – EnovateIT LLC ? The manufacturer of computer workstations for the health care industry plans to invest $4 million to expand its design and production operation in Canton Township. The project is expected to create up to 387 total jobs, including 160 directly at the company. The MEDC estimates increased economic activity created by the project has the potential to create an additional 227 indirect jobs. Based on the MEDC?s recommendation, the MEGA board approved a state tax credit valued at $1.1 million over six years to help convince the company to expand in Michigan over a competing site in Ohio.

BAY CITY – Eovations LLC ? The new-to-Michigan venture will commercialize a new, next-generation composite building material called EoTek. The company plans to invest $16 million to establish an R&D and production center in Bay City. The project is expected to create up to 64 direct jobs at the company within the next five years. Based on the MEDC’s recommendation, the MEGA board approved a state tax credit valued at $1.3 million over seven years to convince the company to expand in Michigan over a competing site in Ohio.

DEARBORN – Ford Motor Co. ? Ford plans to invest $850 million to secure global product platforms and operational activities statewide. The project is expected to create 1,200 new jobs and retain up to 115,400 total jobs, including 28,000 directly at the company. The MEDC estimates the increased economic activity created by the project has the potential to retain an additional 88,600 indirect jobs. Based on the MEDC’s recommendation, the MEGA board approved a state tax credit valued at $909 million over 15 years to encourage the company to expand in Michigan over competing sites in India, South Africa, Europe and Asia. This MEGA credit will replace three MEGA credits that were previously awarded to Ford.

WARREN – General Motors LLC ? GM plans to amend the global MEGA incentive it received in June 2009 to add a Hybrid Electric Vehicle battery and vehicle engineering and development operation at the existing battery development center at the Warren Technical Center. This new addition is expected to generate an additional $112 million investment, and could create up to 900 additional jobs at the Warren Technical Center and retain an additional 8,100 jobs statewide. This investment and additional jobs are dependent upon the development of a successful, competitive business case.

BROWNSTOWN TOWNSHIP – GM Subsystems Manufacturing LLC ? The wholly owned subsidiary of GM plans to amend a Retention MEGA credit it received in February 2009 to expand in-house support for battery module and pack assembly at its Brownstown Township f