LANSING – State Representative Kate Ebli (D-Monroe) today applauded the awarding of nearly $1.7 million in tax credits from the Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) Board to Meijer Distribution Inc. in Berlin Township.
"This is great news for Monroe County workers and I want to thank everyone involved in securing these helpful tax credits," Ebli said. "Not only will this help put our workers back on the job now, but it puts Monroe County in a key position for further growth that has the potential to create even more good-paying jobs."
The credits, valued at $1,694,792 over eight years, are a part of MEGA's Standard Employment Tax Credit. The company will use the credits to expand its Berlin Township distribution center to help accommodate new stores that are expected to open in 2010 and later.
Meijer Distribution will invest approximately $27 million and directly create 190 jobs as a result of the tax credits over the next five years. The facility is expected to create a total of 336 jobs in the state. Meijer Distribution chose the Berlin Township site for the project over a competing site in Indiana.
"Creating jobs has always been my top priority as a legislator, and I am very pleased to see this investment in our community," Ebli said. "Attracting new investments to communities across Michigan is going to play a major role in creating more jobs for our workers and turning our economy around. It's more important now than ever to support our working families by creating and protecting jobs as we continue to work to get Michigan's economy back on track."