Magna Invests In Wayne County Location, Creates 480 Jobs

WAYNE COUNTY, MI — The mobility tech company Magna will invest $35.4 million in Highland Park with support from the Michigan Strategic Fund, creating 480 jobs in the area, the state announced Tuesday.

The expansion of Magna's Highland Park location will provide significant momentum for Michigan's economic recovery during the coronavirus pandemic, officials said. The move also solidifies the company's presence in Michigan, and helps underscore the state's leadership in advanced auto manufacturing and mobility, officials said.

“This is great news for Michigan workers, their families, and our economy as a whole as we lay a path for economic recovery and growth here in our state,” Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement. “Today’s announcement by Magna further underscores that Michigan, the state that put the world on wheels, is the undisputed location for auto manufacturers to expand and grow. It’s time to get Michiganders back to work and I’m glad to see one of state’s longtime employers investing once again in our state.”

Magna International is a mobility technology company with more than 60 years in the automotive supply industry. Magna has been awarded new full-seat assembly contracts, requiring an expansion of its Highland Park site by approximately 5,000 square feet, the company said. The project includes remodeling the current space, adding new automated storage and retrieval shipping systems, and redesigning all assembly lines throughout the facility.

The project is expected to generate a total private investment of $35.4 million and create 480 jobs in a range of positions including management, IT and manufacturing, resulting in a $2.1 million Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant approved Tuesday by the Michigan Strategic Fund. The company also received approval of a five-year, 100-percent State Essential Services Assessment exemption valued at $326,678, the company said.

“We’ve put a lot of dedication into managing through the COVID pandemic, and it’s a good feeling to have news about growth for Magna and jobs for people in Highland Park, Detroit and other nearby communities,” Magna Seating President John Wyskiel said. “We take great pride in being part of the auto industry, in making great seats for our customers, and in helping do our part for a safe and productive economic recovery.”

The project builds on economic prosperity efforts led by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation by supporting growth in the target industry of mobility and advanced auto manufacturing and adding jobs in a geographically disadvantaged area. Nearly 300 of the new jobs will be entry level positions, bringing new opportunities to area residents and offering a path to higher-wage jobs, the company explained.

“As cities look for ways to rebuild and recover, I applaud Magna's timely commitment to jobs and development during this unprecedented time,” said Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans. “This is a step in the right direction for Highland Park as auto suppliers will hopefully see the value of locating and expanding in Wayne County.”

Individuals can apply for jobs with Magna in several ways:

• Email Michigan Works Highland Park division at manufacturingjobs@mhrdi.org
• Online at www.magna.com/careers, search Highland Park location.

“Working with Magna in Highland Park over the years has been very good for the community and our union members,” said UAW Servicing Rep Waymon Halty. “We believe the hard work and commitment from our union members on behalf of Magna is what makes this plant a success and is a big part of the reason they are able to bring new business to Highland Park. We look forward to increasing the union workforce here with the 500 new jobs promised and continuing to support the community.”