GRAND RAPIDS – Some 3000 new jobs are coming to West Michigan through the expansion of Foremost Insurance Group and the Roskam Baking contract food supplier, twin announcement heralded Tuesday.
Farmers Insurance Group plans to bring 1600 jobs to it�??s the Farmers complex in Caledonia Township, part of an $84.4 million expansion. It may be the largest job creation announcement in West Michigan in years.
Meanwhile, Roskam Baking will invest in a former Steelcase Plant in Kentwood, a $65 million expansion that will create 1,500 jobs over the next five years.
The deal was sealed at a meeting of the Michigan Economic Growth Authority where tax breaks for both companies were approved.
Farmers plans call for 175,000 dquare foot office building and a 100,000 square foot print and distruction center to be added to an existing Foremost building. Construction is expected to start in the fall and be competed by spring 2011.
Roskam makes granola, snacks, dry mixes, backed goods and candy. The state said it has 657 workers. The expansion will enable it to leverage increased manufacturing contrats with new and existing customers.
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