Downtown Detroit Getting 150-Employee ADP Digital Center
LANSING (WWJ) - ADP Dealer Services Inc., a division of Automatic Data Processing Inc., Wednesday announced it would build a "Digital Marketing Innovation Center" in downtown Detroit, bringing another 150 jobs to what's become a growing tech hub.
Gov. Rick Snyder called the move "a vote of confidence in the future of Detroit and our state ... Michigan is the comeback state and the hundreds of new jobs resulting from ADP's expansion will keep us moving in the right direction."
ADP Dealer Services provides integrated computing services to truck, auto, motorcycle, marine, recreational vehicle and heavy equipment dealers worldwide and is represented in nearly 100 countries. ADP's new center, to be built in the Renaissance Center, will provide advanced marketing insights and client services for its clients in the automotive industry.
The company plans to invest more than $3 million and add 150 jobs in digital marketing technology and services, including data sciences, digital advertising and digital marketing account services.
As a result of the expansion, the Michigan Strategic Fund has awarded ADP a $1.5 million Michigan Business Development performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen after a nationwide site selection process. The city of Detroit plans to offer support in the form of personal property tax abatement.
"Innovation comes from great talent with a passion for their work collaborating intimately with clients. We located our Innovation Center in Detroit because these elements come together in a powerful brew to help us extend our technology leadership and deepen client relationships," said ADP digital marketing senior vice president John Holt.
ADP's Digital Marketing Innovation Center will open in May. Hiring has started and applicants are encouraged to visit the Careers and Culture section of Cobalt.com -- www.cobalt.com/careers-culture/ -- to learn about the company and job opportunities.
The ADP project leads a list of MSF actions that in total will mean more than $7 million in private investment and 230 new, direct jobs in Michigan. The MSF also announced approval of a $200,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based incentive for Grand Rapids Chair Co. to expand in Byron Township.
Also approved were nearly $5.8 million in Community Development Block Grants for improvements in 12 communities around Michigan.
The details:
* The City of Albion has been awarded $342,000 in CDBG funds for the Friends of the Bohm Theatre project in downtown Albion. The project includes the full interior, historic renovation of the 1929 Bohm Theatre and will act as a catalyst in the revitalization of downtown Albion. The project has received matching funds of $1.3 million including bank financing from Comerica Bank, a grant from the Jeffris Family Foundation and a grant from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.
* The City of Houghton has received a $110,000 CDBG grant for the acquisition and renovation of a vacant, blighted building within the downtown district that will house Roy's Pasties and Bakery. The project will include extensive rehabilitation of the building and create eight full time positions over the next two years. The company has agreed that at least five of the positions will be held by low and moderate income individuals.
* The City of Manistee has been awarded a $330,000 in CDBG funds for the acquisition of a signature building within its downtown core. The property will be acquired by Blue Fish Kitchen, LLC for the purpose of opening a full service farm-to-table restaurant. The project will include extensive rehabilitation of the building and create 22 full time positions over the next two years. The company has agreed that at least 12 of the positions will be held by low and moderate income individuals.
* The MSF also approved $4,472,531 in Downtown Infrastructure Grant (DIG) program funds to nine Michigan communities for public infrastructure improvements. Details of the grants will be announced on Friday, April 26.
Signed into law by Snyder in December of 2011, the Michigan Business Development Program provides grants, loans and other economic assistance to qualified businesses that make investments or create jobs in Michigan, with preference given to businesses that need additional assistance for deal-closing and for second stage gap financing.
The MSF will consider a number of factors in making these awards, including: out-of-state competition, private investment in the project, business diversification opportunities, near-term job creation, wage and benefit levels of the new jobs, and net-positive return to the state. Business retention and retail projects are not eligible for consideration of these incentives.
