Overview

• The Michigan Strategic Fund Board on Sept. 30 unanimously approved a $1.6 million Michigan Business Development Program grant for JR Automation’s headquarters project.
• JR Automation is building a $72.8 million, 286,000-square-foot global headquarters at 800 Riley St. with 76,000 square feet of offices and 210,000 square feet for automation assembly, targeting late fall 2026 completion under Lakewood Construction.
• The project will consolidate about 350 West Michigan employees and create at least 150 new jobs across the Zeeland campus and facilities in Berrien and Oakland counties, with some roles starting at $25 per hour and many technical positions paying more.
• Additional support includes a Zeeland industrial development district, a state education tax abatement authorized by MEDC, and unanimous Planning Commission approval of the site plan and special land use.
• An MEDC memo notes the company assessed an existing Greenville, South Carolina site requiring less capital, and executives point to a Tokyo meeting with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Hitachi leaders as influential in choosing West Michigan.