59 new jobs will be coming to the Fenton area thanks to a business expansion project announced Monday by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Whitmer and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MDEC) announced the $4 million investment by American Recreational Products, which manufacturers composites and plastics for companies including John Deere, Navistar, Crest Marine and Avalon Pontoons. It currently has three locations in Michigan with 150 employees.
According to a press release from Whitmer’s office, after the company’s facility in Owosso reached its capacity with no options to expand, it found a facility in Fenton that can accommodate its existing business as well as a new fiberglass product line.
“National Composites is very excited to expand into the great city of Fenton. The opening of American Recreational Products will be a great new step for our company,” National Composites Chief Executive Officer Adam Fenton said. “It allows us to have a more targeted focus on the production of our proprietary boat lines, Paddle Wheeler and BOKA Marine, as well as open up more capacity and job creation opportunities at our other Michigan facilities.”
The project is supported by a $250,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen for the project over competing sites in Minnesota and Missouri.
The city of Fenton is expecting a five-year industrial facilities tax abatement to be approved in support of the project.
