Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC) has helped an Ohio company move into an underused ArvinMeritor (ARM) factory in southwest Detroit - bringing the promise of 200 new jobs. Ohio Module Manufacturing Company (OMMC), a subsidiary of Hyundai Mobis based in Toledo, Ohio, will lease 167,410 square feet of manufacturing space from ARM at its location at 6401 W. Fort Street in Detroit for seven years with options to extend.

Detroit competed with Toledo and other Michigan cities for the lease agreement. The project represents OMMC's expansion into Michigan, where it will create manufacturing jobs with average annual wages and benefits of almost $44,000. Hiring, training, and internships will be coordinated with the Detroit Workforce Development Department (DWDD). OMMC will also coordinate employment opportunities with ARM, which currently has 109 employees on callback status. Ninety percent of those workers are Detroit residents.

OMMC produces the complete chassis module for Chrysler's Jeep Wrangler. OMMC-Detroit will use the ARM facility for manufacturing, warehousing, research and development, assembly, shipping, offices, and distributing automotive chassis systems and components. The project will support a Chrysler contract to supply Jeep platforms and chassis components at its Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit.

In addition to its core functions, OMMC-Detroit will serve customers and contracts currently supplied by ARM, minimizing customer service interruptions and enhancing business growth and employment in Detroit. OMMC will invest $22 million in building, mechanical, electrical, and tooling improvements. Those investments will be made before the anticipated start of full production in May 2010.

"ArvinMeritor is pleased to work with Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, Detroit City Council, Wayne County and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation securing Renaissance Zone benefits needed to bring Ohio Module Manufacturing Corp. (OMMC) to Southwest Detroit," said Jerry Rush, senior director for Government and Community Relations at ArvinMeritor. "This is a major development for the city as OMMC will create 200 jobs and invest $22 million over 12 months. The investment results in new jobs for the community and establishes a presence for an important new automotive business in Detroit. We at ArvinMeritor are very proud of this outcome," Rush said.

The project was approved by the Detroit City Council and the Wayne County Commission, and was executed in partnership with the Michigan Strategic Fund. The Detroit City Council provided OMMC-Detroit workforce development assistance; the Michigan Economic Growth Authority granted a five-year Employment Tax Credit; Wayne County, the City of Detroit and the State of Michigan all granted OMMC-Detroit a seven-year extension of the Southwest/Delray Renaissance Zone.

"This project was one of Detroit's largest for 2009," said DEGC Manager of Business Attraction Tracie Tillinger. "We had a lot of partners committed to its success, including the City, County and State, along with ArvinMeritor and OMMC. The comprehensive package of support required some time to work out, but now we're glad the new investment can begin and new jobs can come online."
George W. Jackson, Jr., president and CEO of DEGC said, "It's always good when a company from out of state recognizes what many Michigan companies have known for years - that Detroit has the facilities, the skilled labor and a lot of other good reasons to invest here."