LANSING — At Tuesday’s final scheduled meeting of 2017, the Michigan Strategic Fund board approved assistance to American Haval Motor Technology LLC is a subsidiary of Great Wall Motor Company Ltd., China’s largest manufacturer of SUVs. The company plans to establish a research and development center in Farmington Hills, investing $3.5 million.

As a result, the MSF board approved a $1.5 million Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant to the company. Michigan was chosen over a competing site in Ohio. The city of Farmington Hills has offered to cover costs related to an environmental site assessment. Individuals interested in careers with American HAVAL Motor Technology should visit https://ahmt.easyapply.co/.

Gov. Rick Snyder held meetings with executives from Great Wall Motor Co. during several of his trade missions to China, where he made the case that there is no better place in North America for Chinese companies to expand and create jobs than in Michigan.

“Haval strongly considered opening their R&D center in California, Ohio, or Michigan,” said Victor Zhao, director of American Haval Motor Technology, LLC. “We chose Michigan because of the warm reception by Governor Snyder, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the Michigan Department of Transportation, the Michigan China Innovation Center, and Automation Alley; and because of the large workforce in Michigan, which is knowledgeable in technologies important to Haval.”

Also approved was $34.8 million in local and school tax capture to the Niles Brownfield Redevelopemnt Authority to fund brownfield remediation at the site of a proposed new natural gas power generation plant. Activities will include demolition, debris removal, site preparation, and infrastructure improvements.

At the site, Indeck Niles LLC plans to build the Indeck Niles Energy Center, a 210,000-square-foot building that will generate more than 1,000 megawatts of electricity to Michigan and surrounding states. The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $967 million.

“The Indeck Niles Energy Center will make a substantial contribution to the modernization and enhanced reliability of the regional power system while improving its environmental footprint through the manufacturing of clean, efficient natural-gas fired electricity,” said Indeck vice president of business development David Hicks. “The Indeck Niles Energy Center will also create significant economic development in the region. Indeck Niles continues to be grateful for our strong and lasting partnership with the city of Niles, as well as the support provided from Michigan state and local officials.”

Added Niles Mayor Nick Shelton: “The three-year construction phase of Indeck will bring 300 to 600 jobs to the city of Niles, boosting our local economy in the process. It will create new tax revenues for Cass County, Niles Community Schools, and the city of Niles.”

The MSF board approved a plan to redevelop three parcels of property on North River Street in Ypsilanti’s Depot Town submitted by the Original and Only Thompson Block LLC and 3mission Redevelopment Corp. The project includes historic renovation and reconstruction of a damaged Civil War-era structure into a mixed-use development with restaurant and residential space.

The project is expected to generate total capital investment of $11.8 million and create 70 full-time equivalent jobs. As a result, the MSF board approved a $3.175 million Michigan Community Revitalization Program performance-based loan participation.

In addition, MSF approved $1,265,799 in local and school tax capture for the Washtenaw County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority to perform brownfield alleviation activities at the site.

In other matters, the MSF board approved the following:

* An amendment to the Michigan Community Revitalization Program performance-based loan for the Diamond Place LLC project in downtown Grand Rapids. During construction, the developers discovered unforeseen costs associated with the excavation and preparation of the site. The amendment allows for $1 million to be added to the original $2.8 million grant that was approved in September 2016. The completed project will include 42 units of apartments and commercial space that will include a 16,000-square-foot neighborhood grocery store. The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of nearly $19.5 million and create 112 full-time equivalent jobs.

* Authorization of private activity bond financing for two projects: $5.5 million for the expansion of the Huron Valley PACE facility in Ypsilanti; and $5.5 million for the refunding of bonds as well as $5.6 million in new money bonds for the Hope Network West Michigan, Hope/Spectrum Health CC, Hope Network Behavioral Health Services, and Alternative Community Living, Inc. projects.

* An increase of the MSF $10 million loan award from the Investment Fund by $3.5 million for Michigan Community Capital to facilitate investment in “attainable housing” projects around the state. Attainable housing has been identified by MEDC staff and partners as an unmet need in many communities around the state as rental rates continue to rise, creating displacement of many residents away from the employment centers in those communities. Michigan Community Capital, formerly known as the Michigan Magnet Fund, will work with developers to invest in low and moderate income housing in specific communities around Michigan.

* Approval of $3 million for the “Smaller Development Initiative” pilot project. The initiative will be marketed by Michigan Community Capital to developers with limited experience to put together housing projects in communities where a lack of investment is holding back growth.