Gov. Whitmer Announces Funding for 650 New Jobs Across Three Business Development Projects in Southeast Michigan

LANSING, Mich. - Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) Board announced approval for projects in Troy (Oakland County), Detroit (Wayne County), and Fenton (Genesee County) that will result in 650 new jobs and over $97 million in capital investment in the state. The three projects are supported by performance-based grants through the Michigan Business Development Program (MBDP), which are awarded to businesses creating qualified new jobs and/or making new investment in Michigan.

"Michigan is on the move and open for business, competing for and winning big projects in industries like agribusiness and advanced manufacturing," said Governor Whitmer. "Today's announcement will create 650 good-paying jobs and cement Michigan as the best place to build the future. Let's keep working together to create good-paying jobs, bring supply chains home from overseas, and tell Michigan's story."

"Today's approved projects not only indicate a vote of confidence in the Michigan location advantage but also reflect the strengths of Michigan's industries and our leadership in key areas, from manufacturing and agribusiness to EVs," said Quentin L. Messer, Jr., CEO of the MEDC and MSF Board Chair. "We thank Slate, Fenton Food and Beverage, and Alquist 3D for choosing to 'Make It in Michigan,' and extend our gratitude to Governor Whitmer, the members of the Michigan Strategic Fund Board, the Michigan Legislature, and our economic development partners for their work to support these impactful projects. Work remains and we're committed to getting it done."

Electric vehicle manufacturer Slate Auto expanding North American headquarters in Troy, creating 392 jobs

OVERVIEW: The MSF Board approved a $5 million MBDP performance-based grant to Slate Auto to expand its presence at its North American headquarters in the City of Troy (Oakland County). Since it began operations in 2022, Slate has been headquartered in Troy. With the recent addition of a facility in Sterling Heights, Slate currently employs 325 Michiganders across the state.

With a capital investment of $10.4 million, Slate's expansion will create at least 392 qualified new jobs, including good-paying corporate, engineering, and design positions over the next five years. This growth is part of the company's broader effort to strengthen domestic innovation and manufacturing capabilities, with a focus on sustainable product research and development.

WHY IT MATTERS: As the birthplace of the American automotive industry, Michigan has the historical legacy, infrastructure, and skilled workforce in the sector. Slate considered several states for growth and chose Michigan for its industry leadership and the ease of collaboration it would create with other Metro Detroit companies in the mobility and vehicle electrification sector.

Slate has already received over 150,000 reservations for its principal product, an affordable electric pickup truck, and anticipates deliveries in late 2026 with higher-volume product to come in 2027. Adding 392 jobs to its headquarters in Troy will solidify the company's presence in Michigan and help to meet demand for its product.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING:
"We thank Governor Whitmer and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation for supporting Slate's growth in Michigan and acknowledging the importance of developing and producing affordable vehicles," said Slate CEO Peter Faricy. "Slate will benefit from the impressive talent pool and innovative ecosystem that has long been a tradition in the state of Michigan."

"Oakland County is thrilled that Slate Auto is expanding its EV headquarters in Troy, Michigan. Slate Auto is reinforcing our standing as a global epicenter for mobility and advanced technology," said Oakland County Executive David Coulter. "This growth creates high-quality engineering jobs and corporate opportunities, proving that our business climate is where world-class tech talent thrives."

New Fenton Food and Beverage LLC facilities will produce component for plant-based milk alternative products

OVERVIEW: The MSF Board approved a $960,000 MBDP performance-based grant for the newly formed company Fenton Food and Beverage LLC to create at least 96 new jobs and invest up to $56.2 million in the City of Fenton (Genesee County). The Board also approved a five-year, 50% Alternative State Essential Services Agreement (SESA) Exemption with an estimated value of up to $168,000 for its $35 million eligible investment in Eligible Personal Property.

There are three entities connected with the new Fenton location: Fenton Food and Beverage LLC, Fenton Holding Co, Inc., and Fenton Food and Beverage Properties LLC. The project average wage from all of the positions to be hired is anticipated to be $33.32 per hour (plus benefits). All positions will have starting wages higher than the $21.58 Regional Median Wage.

Fenton Food and Beverage LLC is owned by Yahya Abbas of YaYa Foods Corp., a Canadian company with over 30 years of experience in food and beverage manufacturing. All manufacturing operations remain independent between YaYa Foods and the new Fenton facility, but it is anticipated that Fenton Food and Beverage LLC may produce a primary product expected to serve as a component in some YaYa Foods products.

"Michigan stood out early in our site selection process, and Fenton offered the right combination of access, workforce, and partnership," said Yahya Abbas, CEO of Fenton Foods. "We're excited to move forward and build a strong, long-term operation here."

WHY IT MATTERS: YaYa Foods Corp has a long history in the plant-based milk alternative space and is the second-largest manufacturer in North America within the category. In addition to providing YaYa Foods Corp with additional opportunities to tap into the U.S. beverage market, the Fenton location expects to be the first in North America to use a new technology of extracting milk from nuts with water instead of making milk from paste.

Michigan was among six states located in the Midwest and Southeast regions in the running for the project, with the talented workforce and the connectivity to cities around the world through Detroit Metro Airport being a significant driver of the decision to choose Michigan.

Robotic 3D concrete printing company Alquist 3D, LLC to establish manufacturing and R&D facility in Detroit, creating 162 new jobs

OVERVIEW: The MSF Board approved a $1.6 million MBDP performance-based grant to Alquist 3D, LLC, a national leader in robotic 3D concrete printing. The Colorado-based company plans to establish a new manufacturing and R&D facility in Detroit (Wayne County), investing at least $31.25 million and creating up to 162 new jobs over the next five years.

Alquist selected Michigan after evaluating several other states, including Nebraska, Georgia, Arizona, Arkansas, Minnesota, and North Carolina. The company chose Detroit because of the state's strong education and training infrastructure, deep manufacturing ecosystem, and access to an experienced industrial workforce.

The new Robotics and Engineering Center of Excellence will be located in Detroit's growing technology corridor at Newlab. The facility will include dedicated R&D and manufacturing space to support Alquist 3D's next stage of growth, including robotics production, engineering development, workforce training, and the continued advancement of 3D construction printing for commercial and residential projects.

WHY IT MATTERS: Alquist is the only 3D construction printing company offering a training curriculum in direct partnership with community colleges and trade schools. Since September 2024, the company's educational program has trained more than 200 students. As part of its Michigan expansion, Alquist plans to grow these efforts and is currently in active discussions with Henry Ford College, Wayne State University, the University of Michigan, and other schools around the state.

Alquist's expansion brings together advanced robotics, construction innovation, and workforce development in a city with one of the strongest manufacturing legacies in the world. The company's work is focused on making construction faster, more adaptable, and more sustainable while helping train the next generation of builders, technicians, and engineers.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING:
"Detroit is one of the great manufacturing cities in the world, and we believe it is the right place for Alquist to enter this next stage of growth," said Patrick Callahan, Alquist CEO. "This new facility gives us the ability to scale our robotics manufacturing and create new career pathways in a city built on making things. For Alquist, this is more than an expansion. It is a commitment to building the future of construction alongside the institutions and industrial talent that make Detroit such a powerful place to grow."

"This announcement represents an important step in advancing the technology behind 3D construction printing," said Andrew Lycas, Alquist CTO. "Our A1 system is designed to make robotic concrete printing more reliable and scalable in real-world construction environments. By establishing a dedicated Robotics and Engineering Center of Excellence in Detroit, we will be able to accelerate product development, refine our software and hardware systems, and continue building technology that helps put 3D printing to work."

"Alquist 3D is bringing a dynamic industry to Detroit and creating over 160 good-paying jobs in the process," Mayor Mary Sheffield. "Their commitment to growing our local talent pipeline is what will help our city rise higher. We look forward to exploring how this innovative construction approach can transform neighborhoods and improve our ability to reach my goal of building 1,000 new infill homes."

"Alquist 3D choosing Detroit to build its future says a lot about what our city can offer the world," said Kevin Johnson, president and CEO, Detroit Economic Growth Corporation. "Alquist is a true innovator in 3D-printed construction tech, and Detroit's leadership in engineering, robotics and advanced manufacturing created the ecosystem they need to scale. Their proprietary 3D printing curriculum will help build the construction talent pipeline of tomorrow. Detroiters get access to great jobs and a front-row seat to the future of construction."

"Alquist 3D's decision to invest in Detroit is another strong signal that Michigan is leading the future of advanced manufacturing and innovative construction technology," said State Rep. Joe Tate (D-Detroit). "This project will bring high-quality jobs, significant capital investment and new economic opportunity to Wayne County while strengthening our state's growing leadership in next-generation manufacturing. I am proud to see the MEDC continue to support companies that are creating pathways to good-paying careers and building a stronger, more resilient economy for Michigan families and communities."

During the May meeting of the MSF, the Board also approved support for a Transformational Brownfield Plan to support the development of a 20-story, mixed-use high rise apartment building in Downtown Ann Arbor (Washtenaw County). The project at 350 S. Fifth Ave. will feature 330 units of affordable housing and over 6,500 square feet of commercial space; when complete, the project is expected to result in $209.4 million in total capital investment.

NOTE FROM THE MEDC: Investment and job numbers represent the commitment made by the business to the state of Michigan. Terms will be formalized in a performance-based project agreement, with funds disbursed as reimbursement based on eligible expenditures, and are subject to amendment or cancellation if the commitments are not met due to risks or uncertainties. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation provides a public annual report on agreements and their status to the state legislature.

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state's marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan's economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: FacebookInstagramLinkedIn, and Twitter.