New jobs and investments in Houghton County

Two Houghton County companies with ties to the U.S. defense industry have received hundreds of thousands of dollars in state performance-based grants to support their respective multi-million-dollar expansions.

Combined, the projects represent more than $10 million in capital investment on the Keweenaw Peninsula and the creation of 90 well-paying jobs. The investments were announced by Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist during a visit to the U.P. this month.

Gilchrist deemed the projects as “incredible news for Michiganders in Franklin Township, Calumet and the Houghton County region,” and called the companies, Great Lakes Sound & Vibration, Inc., and Loukus Technologies “respected members of the community.” 

“They’re walking the walk when it comes to Making it in Michigan,” creating 90 good-paying jobs in our Upper Peninsula,” he said.

The projects, officials said, exemplify Michigan’s long-standing leadership in the defense sector with the help and support of the state’s Office of Defense and Aerospace Innovation. The office supports a defense industry that contributes $30 billion in economic activity for Michigan, with more than 166,000 jobs and nearly 4,000 Michigan businesses serving the defense, defense aerospace, and homeland security industries. 

What’s happening: Two companies, Great Lakes Sound & Vibration, Inc., and Loukus Technologies, have been awarded performance-based grants from the Michigan Business Development Program through the Michigan Strategic Fund.

Great Lakes Sound & Vibration, Inc., which manufactures parts and products relating to sound and vibration, has received a $400,000 performance-based grant. In addition to that support, Michigan Works! has developed a proposal – valued at $461,320 – to meet the talent and workforce needs of the company. 

The company is investing $8.5 million to expand its operations at 
Houghton County Airpark.  With a 26,000-square-foot expansion there, the company can consolidate its manufacturing operations under one roof. The expansion will mean the creation of 42 jobs “with starting wages considerably greater than the regional median wage.”

“Great Lakes Sound & Vibration is a unique business providing unique solutions to difficult problems at the Department of Defense. They continue their growth by adapting to the ever-changing defense industry needs for new and innovative solutions to sound and vibration as well as new product development,” said Jeff Ratcliff, who is executive director of the Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance.
The expansion builds on its year of growth and success in Michigan. 

For Great Lakes Sound & Vibration, Inc., the investments will support additional growth for projects with the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Air Force. It also will have a positive impact on the local manufacturing supply base, including outsourcing painting, sewing, machining, laser cutting and other services.

Loukus Technologies, Inc., which specializes in advanced materials development and casting technologies for the defense and energy sectors, was awarded a $300,000 performance-based grant to support its $1.6 million expansion. The company plans to expand into a building next to its current facility, which will house machining, finishing, packaging, and shipping operations. 

This expansion is necessary due to newly awarded private industry contracts.  The expansion will create 48 jobs. The Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance is supporting the project by working with the company and the Charter Township of Calumet to help coordinate a mutually beneficial agreement for use of the abandoned mine site where the expansion will take place. 

“The grant from the MSF is the catalyst Loukus Technologies needed to make the expansion of our advanced material production facility a reality,” said Adam R. Loukus, who is president of Loukus Technologies. “The expansion will support the creation of meaningful career opportunities and enhance our production capacity.” 

The funding will support the company’s ability to quickly increase production capacity to meet rising demand, while paying its employees well and remaining an employer of choice in Houghton County. 

“Loukus Technologies continues to grow by deploying innovative materials technology and manufacturing processes which provide well-paying jobs in the Upper Peninsula,” said Ratcliffe of the Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance.

The funding: The performance-based grants come from the Michigan Business Development Program through the Michigan Strategic Fund, part of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The Michigan Business Development Program is available to “eligible businesses that create qualified new jobs and/or make qualified new investment in Michigan,” according to the MEDC.