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BENTON CHARTER TOWNSHIP, Mich., (March 31, 2022) – West Michigan Tool & Die announced today it will expand in Benton Charter Township, generating a total capital investment of $3.4 million and creating 22 jobs.

Bulk Ag Innovations LLC, dba West Michigan Tool & Die (WMTD), is a contract tool and die shop in Benton Charter Township. The company is primarily engaged in manufacturing special tools and fixtures for use with machine tools, die-casting machines and presses. Through its acquisition by Bulk Ag Innovations in 2018, the company has achieved minority business enterprise certification through the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council and is gaining new opportunities in defense contracts.

Due to increased demand, WMTD is expanding its existing footprint in Benton Charter Township, including adding a bay and reconfiguring its machining building. The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $3.4 million and create 22 jobs, supported by a, $88,000 Micro Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen for the project over a competing site in Chicago.

WMTD offers on-the-job training that will provide opportunities for growth from within and is working on a toolmaker apprenticeship program to develop the talent it needs to operate and grow. Cornerstone Alliance has committed to working with the company to acquire an incentive package, and Michigan Works! to provide workforce development programs.

“We are thrilled West Michigan Tool & Die will be expanding in Benton Charter Township as the project will bring immediate job opportunities in advanced manufacturing to residents,” said Cathy Tilley, Cornerstone Alliance Business Development Director. “We congratulate West Michigan Tool & Die for their ongoing success.”

The West Michigan Tool & Die project was supported through the Micro MBDP tool, adopted by the Michigan Strategic Fund in 2019. The Micro MBDP is designed to promote business growth especially in rural areas or areas with high unemployment as well as target industries. The Micro MBDP provides grants, loans, or other economic assistance to businesses for highly-competitive projects in Michigan that have fewer job creation numbers than required by the original MBDP guidelines.