Northern Michigan Businesses Receive Manufacturing Technology Grants

News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 20, 2022

TRAVERSE CITY, MI – The Northwest Industry 4.0 Consortium has awarded $100,000 in grants to help with the awareness and integration of the latest manufacturing technology at six northern Michigan businesses. The funding is from Michigan’s Industry 4.0 (i4.0) Technology Implementation Grant. Networks Northwest is the grant administrator for the Consortium, which also includes the Alliance for Economic Success, Cadillac Area Manufacturing Association, Grand Traverse Area Manufacturing Council (GTAMC), Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (MMTC), Northern Lakes Economic Alliance, Northwest Industrial Association, Northwest Michigan Works!, Northwestern Michigan College (NMC), and Traverse Connect.

Over 20 manufacturers in northwest Lower Michigan applied to the Consortium for i4.0 grants of up to $25,000 each. Six proposals ultimately were funded for costs associated with implementing i4.0 technologies in the workplace. Grants ranged from $2,500 to $25,000. Proposals awarded included automation/robotics and additive manufacturing (3D printing). The grants will be reimbursement-based and cover up to 50 percent of the cost for purchasing and implementing the eligible technologies proposed.

The businesses receiving grants are Traverse City based Bay Motor Products, Century LLC, Promethient, and World Magnetics; ROSS Decco in Frankfort; and Van Dam Custom Boats in Boyne City.

Bay Motor Products manufactures motors, fans, and blowers for a variety of products including gas fireplaces, ovens, refrigerators, drinking fountains, and more. The company plans to use its grant to add a collaborative robot to a cell where an employee currently works, allowing that person to be reassigned to a more value-added manufacturing process.

"We greatly appreciate the generosity of the matching grant we received,” said Bay Motor Products President Andy Robitshek. “We had the wonderful opportunity to work with the Manufacturing Technology Center on an i4.0 assessment, with the support of the MEDC. Rich and his team helped our organization understand the opportunities available for us to grow our business and our team. This project will propel our future growth and success.”

The Northwest Industry 4.0 Consortium continues to build awareness through the NMC Learning Lab, MMTC’s i4.0 Technology Roadshows, the region’s manufacturing and industrial council’s contributions, and the dedicated work of all Consortium partners.