LANSING – House Speaker Andy Dillon (D-Redford Twp.) today announced that private and state investment of nearly $207 million will create 250 new jobs in Wayne County, help grow the local economy and spark economic development.
"Economic development will bring more investment to our area and attract more good-paying jobs for our workers," Dillon said. "My top priority is to create jobs now for our workers as we fight to get Michigan back on track, and that's exactly what this investment will do. This kind of project is essential to our growth now and in the future."
Detroit Diesel Corp. has invested $179 million in a facility located on the border of Detroit and Redford Township, resulting in 150 new jobs.
Detroit Diesel shares the facility with Axle Alliance Co. and MTU Detroit Diesel Inc. Axle Alliance has invested $10.5 million in an expansion, resulting in 30 new jobs. MTU Detroit Diesel has invested $17 million to expand, creating 70 new jobs.
A $440,000 grant from the state Transportation Economic Development Fund (TEDF) will be used for road improvements near the facility.
To create a more dynamic, campus-like facility, Detroit Diesel needs to relocate a driveway 220 feet north of its current location. To facilitate the traffic flow, the project includes adding auxiliary lanes on Outer Drive and Lamphere and traffic signal upgrades at the intersection of Outer Drive and Detroit Diesel's main entrance. The pavement also will be re-striped. These improvements will allow for dedicated left-hand turn movements at Outer Drive/Lamphere and Detroit Diesel's main entrance, improving traffic flow at both locations.
The proposed cost of these transportation improvements is $555,500: $440,000 in state funds, with $49,500 from Detroit Diesel and $66,000 from Wayne County, for a total of $115,500 in local matching funds.