DETROIT, MI – Gov. Rick Snyder and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, alongside business officials, are set to announce a “major automotive manufacturing expansion” in Southwest Detroit, city officials announced Monday.
The announcement will include a plan to create hundreds of new jobs, generate millions of dollars in new investment and involves the redevelopment of vacant Southwestern High School, city officials said.
Duggan and Snyder will be joined by Manickam Mahalingam, the chairman of Indian automotive supplier Sakthi Group, as well as by ProVisions President and CEO Murray Wikol, Detroit Public Schools Emergency Manager Darnell Earley and former Southwestern High School and University of Detroit Mercy Basketball Coach Perry Watson. The announcement is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. behind Southwestern High School, 6921 W. Fort Street.
Last month, the Michigan Strategic Fund approved a $3.5 million performance-based grant for an expansion in Southwest Detroit by Sakthi Automotive Group that includes a $31.8 million investment add 350 new jobs.
According to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Sakthi Automotive chose Detroit for the expansion over competing sites in Ohio, Georgia and South Carolina.
In addition to the grant, the city of Detroit and MEDC are recommending the expansion receive a Renaissance Zone designation at a later date. The city is also supporting the expansion with a tax abatement.