Economic Development Groups Help Michigan Aerospace Corporation Spread its Growth

BATTLE CREEK, Mich., May 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Battle Creek Unlimited (BCU), the economic development arm of the city of Battle Creek, is announcing a partnership that will help Michigan Aerospace Corporation expand its operations to areas of expertise within the state.

Michigan Aerospace Corporation (MAC), an advanced engineering and product company, will establish a manufacturing facility in Battle Creek, where public, private and military resources are accelerating business in aviation and homeland security. MAC's headquarters and research and development activities will remain in Ann Arbor, where academic and business groups have supported the company for 12 years.

"This is a perfect time to build a business in Michigan, because there's so much support from local development groups, universities and private investors. We've found so much assistance and desire for growth, and it's working for us," said Peter Tchoryk, chief executive officer, MAC.

The manufacturing facility in Battle Creek will produce MAC's products intended for aircraft platforms and homeland security. The products, ordered by U.S.-based government and primary aerospace customers, are designed to protect borders from chem/bio, radiation and nuclear threats, and improve the performance of manned and unmanned aircraft.

"We're demonstrating how communities can work together to help build Michigan businesses by focusing on core capabilities and having economic developers openly share ideas," said Jack Miner, managing director of bcVentures.

"We are excited that Michigan Aerospace found the resources that they needed and have decided to grow their manufacturing operations in Michigan. We look forward to continuing to assist Michigan Aerospace as they further expand their research and development in the Ann Arbor area," said Michael Finney, president and chief executive officer of Ann Arbor SPARK.

The next steps of the new partnership are to set up and hire people for the Battle Creek manufacturing facility, which will perform machining and fabrication functions. Final assembly, integration and testing of MAC's newly launched products will take place in MAC's Ann Arbor facilities.

About Michigan Aerospace Corporation

Michigan Aerospace Corporation (MAC) is a growing small business that began as a University of Michigan spin off in 1996. The company performs advanced engineering services and develops products for the defense, homeland security, industrial, and biomedical communities. MAC is the premier company in the United States for the development of Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) and related optical systems for atmospheric measurements and holds patents that increase the performance and efficiency of these instruments to unprecedented levels. These capabilities have resulted in hardened systems with the size, weight, and power characteristics that enable operation on demanding aircraft, spacecraft, ground, and marine platforms. MAC has also developed Chem, Bio, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) detection technologies; launch and retrieval systems for the Navy; and anomaly detection, machine learning, and image processing software for a variety of customers. For more information, visit www.MichAero.com .

About Battle Creek Unlimited and bcVentures

Battle Creek Unlimited is the economic development organization that works with the City of Battle Creek to transform and diversify the Battle Creek economy, in part through developing Fort Custer Industrial Park. bcVentures is the group within Battle Creek Unlimited that focuses on accelerating development of technology businesses and is Battle Creek's start up company resource. bcVentures' expertise resides in homeland security and aerospace. From funding sources to federal, state and local resources, bcVentures helps new and existing companies achieve their business goals. For more information, visit www.bcunlimited.org .

About Ann Arbor SPARK

Ann Arbor SPARK, a non-profit organization, is the driving force establishing the Ann Arbor region as a destination for business expansion, retention, and location by identifying and meeting the needs of business at every stage, from startups to large organizations. Ann Arbor SPARK represents all communities in the Washtenaw County. Ann Arbor SPARK collaborates with business, academic, government, and community investor partners including the University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University, the Herbert and Grace Dow Foundation, Pfizer, Washtenaw County, the City of Ann Arbor, the Bank of Ann Arbor and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. For more information, visit www.AnnArborUSA.org .