Inside Cascade Engineering (July 20, 2010)
Updated: Tuesday, 20 Jul 2010, 6:05 PM EDT
Published : Tuesday, 20 Jul 2010, 10:29 AM EDT
CASCADE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) - Cascade Engineering plans to add 183 jobs in West Michigan over the next five years, the company announced Tuesday as it won a boost in the form of a state job-creation tax credit.
The Cascade Township firm plans to add the workers to its renewable energy division, a release stated, and 24 of them are expected to be hired in just the next year.
The $2.8-million investment was awarded high-tech tax credits valued at $1.8 million over seven years.
That credit -- along with the potential for local incentives from the township -- helped keep the project in Michigan, according to state and local economic development officials. Cascade considered its facilities in North Carolina and Ohio, along with a location in Texas for the expansion.
According to documents prepared for the Michigan Economic Growth Authority board, Cascade Engineering said the three states offered similar incentives and Texas was willing to give the company "up-front cash for employee relocation." The company cited available space and lower wage structure in Ohio and North Carolina made those options attractive, according to the documents.
Hiring is set to begin September 1, a company spokeswoman told 24 Hour News 8, and postings will appear as they become available at the company website
"A variety of jobs ranging from management, clerical service, technical and sales, a combination of both skilled and unskilled trades will be available through this announcement," spokeswoman Amanda Passage told 24 Hour News 8.
"The training behind each position depends on the technical nature of the job, which could require an engineering background or experience in the industry. Experience with sustainability is encouraged but not mandatory," she said.
Average pay for the new jobs is expected to be $960 per week, according to those documents prepared for the MEGA board.
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