LANSING – The Michigan Economic Development Corporation has approved a Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) tax incentive credit of approximately $5.8 million for Stryker Corporation, paving the way for construction of a new $20.4 million headquarters facility adjacent to the company?s existing headquarters on Fairfield Road. The project will create 165 new jobs, including 100 directly by the company.
At its regular commission meeting, the Kalamazoo City Commission unanimously approved a local tax abatement for the same project.
?The success of this project is an excellent example of Kalamazoo County?s ability to work together for the greater good of our local businesses, and thereby impact economic development throughout the community,? said Robert Jones, Mayor for the City of Kalamazoo.
Final approval from the FAA for the land transfer from the Kalamazoo Battle Creek International Airport, as well as certain building specifications, is expected shortly. Once that approval are received, construction can begin.
Stryker spokesman Patrick Anderson, Stryker Corporation vice president for strategy and communication said that both incentives ? as well as the significant support demonstrated by state and local government throughout the project ? played a key role in the company?s decision to keep its headquarters in Kalamazoo.
?There were other locations under consideration, including New Jersey,? Anderson said. ?A significant portion of our business is based there. But the support we received here was very positive ? from the City of Kalamazoo, the City of Portage, the County, the State, Southwest Michigan First and from a number of other public and private industry leaders working on our behalf along the way. Kalamazoo stepped forward and made a very strong case for staying put.?
County Commission sale of the land to Stryker was approved in January.
In a joint application with the City of Kalamazoo, the City of Portage will be the lead grant applicant for road improvements at the Fairfield/Portage Road intersection to provide for better access to the Fortune 500 company headquarters.
?The decision by Stryker Corporation to retain and grow it?s world headquarters in Kalamazoo and the continued investment in the various divisions throughout Kalamazoo County is a tremendous reflection on the community? said Ron Kitchens, CEO for Southwest Michigan First, Kalamazoo?s lead economic development agency.
Kitchens, who was named CEO last week, said that the community?s reputation for cross-jurisdictional success such as this, played a key role in his decision to move to the region.
The 75,000 square-foot headquarters project is one of three major construction projects totaling nearly $100 million that are currently underway in Kalamazoo County by Stryker. The company is also constructing a new 433,000 square foot facility for its Stryker Medical Division on Centre Avenue and adding 200,000 square feet to its Instruments Division, located on Milham Road. Both of these fall under the jurisdiction of the City of Portage and will create at least 65 new jobs in the community.
Founded in Kalamazoo in 1941 by Dr. Homer Stryker, Stryker Corporation is a leader in the worldwide orthopaedic market and is one of the world’s largest medical device companies. Stryker offers the most broadly-based range of orthopaedic products and has a significant presence in other medical specialties. The Company’s products include joint replacements, trauma, spine and micro implant systems, orthobiologics, powered surgical instruments, surgical navigation systems and endoscopic products as well as patient handling and emergency medical equipment. Stryker also provides outpatient physical therapy services in the United States.
