LANSING, Mich. — Two Michigan companies are expanding operations in Muskegon and Washtenaw counties, generating $13.4 million in combined capital investment and 115 new jobs, further strengthening the state’s advanced manufacturing and energy innovation sectors.
State officials say the projects highlight Michigan’s continued momentum in next-generation industries ranging from precision manufacturing to artificial intelligence-driven energy management.
“Michigan continues to compete for and win projects in high-growth industries,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “These investments create good-paying jobs and reinforce Michigan’s leadership in innovation and advanced manufacturing.”
Motiv Bowling Expands Manufacturing in Muskegon County
Motiv Bowling, a manufacturer of high-performance bowling equipment, will create 90 new jobs and invest nearly $9 million in a new 96,000-square-foot facility in Roosevelt Park.
The expansion responds to sustained sales growth and increased global demand for the company’s products. The new facility will support expanded manufacturing capacity and serve as an export logistics hub.
New positions are expected to start at $24 per hour plus benefits, exceeding the regional median wage. The project received support from the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) through a $540,000 Michigan Business Development Program (MBDP) performance-based grant.
The investment includes significant equipment upgrades such as robotics, CNC mills and lathes, custom grinding and polishing systems, and new enterprise software. Motiv’s nearby existing facility will remain in use for research and development.
Local leaders say the project reinforces West Michigan’s long-standing reputation for advanced manufacturing and specialty production.
Utilidata Scales AI-Driven Energy Technology in Ann Arbor
Energy technology firm Utilidata, Inc. is expanding its Ann Arbor presence with a new 15,000-square-foot headquarters and innovation lab, creating 25 new jobs and investing more than $4.4 million.
Utilidata develops embedded AI solutions that help utilities and data centers optimize electricity usage and manage grid capacity more efficiently — a growing priority as data center demand rises nationwide.
New roles are expected to start at $37.14 per hour plus benefits, significantly above the regional median wage. The project is supported by a $250,000 MBDP performance-based grant, along with workforce and marketing assistance from regional partners.
Company leaders cite Ann Arbor’s deep engineering talent pool and research ecosystem as key factors in the expansion.
Michigan’s Broader Small Business Momentum
State officials note the announcements come amid strong small-business growth across Michigan. Recent support programs have helped thousands of companies start, expand and retain jobs, while also driving placemaking and private investment across communities statewide.
For site selectors, the two projects highlight:
- Competitive incentive programs
- Strong technical and engineering talent pipelines
- Advanced manufacturing depth
- Growing AI and energy innovation clusters
- Regional workforce development partnerships
