Each year, companies across Michigan that are in the second stage of development and poised to grow and succeed are chosen for the
50 Companies to Watch awards.
This year, there are a significant number of them located in northwest Michigan, which says only good things about the direction our regional economy is headed.
All together, the 50 companies honored this year had $937 million in revenue and added 728 employees from 2009 through 2012.
Traverse City is home to six of the 50 businesses. They are
Altus Brands, LLC, a specialty brand manufacturer founded in 2007;
Cherry Capital Foods, a agricultural distributor which is expected to add up to 38 jobs in the next few years;
Critter Control, headed by Kevin Clark, which will bring as many as 25 jobs to the state in the next few years;
Grand Traverse Distillery, founded in 2006, a craft liquor manufacturer; retailer
M22, founded in 2003 by Keegan Myers; and
Moomers Homemade Ice Cream, which will add about 30 jobs in the next couple of years.
In Reed City,
H&H Wildlife Design and Fur Dressing, Inc., headed by Mark Marlette and founded in 2002, was also on the 50 Companies to Watch list, as was manufacturer
Cadillac Culvert, Inc. in Cadillac, founded in 2012 and owned by Donald Aldrich.
Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Michigan Economic Development Corp.
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