Janesville Acoustics coming to BC

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. (WOOD) - A Southfield-basd company says it wants to invest up to $10 million to open a new 250,000 square-foot facility in Battle Creek.

Michigan was chosen over competing sites in Indiana and Ohio, according to a news release from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

Janesville Acoustics plans to hire 225 employees after receiving a $1.5 million grant from MEDC. Janesville will renovate a vacant facility in the Fort Custer Industrial Park, the Battle Creek Enquirer reports.

Janesville Acoustics manufactures acoustical and thermal fiber insulation, and automotive decorative trim and molded fiber products, according to its website. Janesville will use the Battle Creek facility to build felt parts for cars and trucks

The City of Battle Creek is supportive of the project and plans to approve tax abatements for Janesville.

The Battle Creek Michigan Works! agency and Battle Creek Unlimited are providing job training for the project. In addition, BCU is supplementing that with $140,000 for training, relocation and residency incentives.

“Janesville Acoustics is a world leader in acoustical products, and the opening of the facility in Battle Creek will further strengthen their Michigan presence and provide additional good jobs for years to come,” said MEDC President and CEO Michael A. Finney. “The company’s decision to expand in Michigan is a strong statement about the great opportunities that, thanks to our business climate improvements, Michigan now offers to growing companies.”

“For eight months, our team has worked to determine the right location in which to establish our fifth U.S. production facility,” said David Cataldi, president of Janesville Acoustics. “In Battle Creek, we are pleased to have found the right combination of a skilled workforce, infrastructure that meets our needs, and proximity to our automotive customers.”

“Battle Creek is delighted to have a company the caliber of Janesville Acoustics coming to our city and adding their expertise in acoustical and thermal automotive products to our economic base,” said Battle Creek City Manager Ken Tsuchiyama. “City government will continue to support their growth and investment and look forward to a long and productive relationship with our newest corporate resident.”

“It has been a pleasure to work with the company and their consultant Duff and Phelps and the MEDC as the package has been developed to attract Janesville Acoustics to Battle Creek,” said Battle Creek Unlimited President and CEO Karl Dehn. “We look forward to a very long and successful relationship with the company and its leadership.”

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Janesville shut down a plant in Kent County last year resulting in 64 job losses. The company, which supplies several major automakers, still has a presence in several other states and countries.