Hydrogen fuel storage manufacturer coming to Grand Blanc Township

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Plastic Omnium New Energies is bringing North America's largest hydrogen fuel system storage manufacturing plant to Grand Blanc Township.

GRAND BLANC TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WJRT) - The largest hydrogen fuel storage manufacturing facility in North America is coming to a site in Grand Blanc Township.

Plastic Omnium New Energies announced an expansion on Tuesday, which will create 175 jobs in Genesee County and at a second site that hasn't been determined. Both facilities are slated to cost around $171.2 million to develop.

"That's great for our economy here locally and regionally. I don't think we've had anything this big in a long time," said Grand Blanc Township Supervisor Scott Bennett.

The parent company, Plastic Omnium, already employs about 1,000 people in Michigan at plants in Adrian, Huron and Metro Detroit. They make fuel systems, bumpers, fascias and front-end modules for automobiles.

The subsidiary Plastic Omnium New Energies plans to grow into generating $3 billion through hydrogen technology by 2030 through an agreement with an unnamed automaker to design, develop and produce hydrogen fuel storage systems for medium or heavy duty vehicles.

The company plans to lease 200,000 square feet of industrial space in the new Grand Blanc Enterprise Park, which is located on the former Trim Pines Christmas Tree Farm off Baldwin Road along I-75, for the manufacturing plant.

Construction is slated to begin later this year or in 2024 and the facility should be fully operational by 2027. The 175 jobs created by the project will pay about $1,700 per week, according to Michigan Economic Development Corp. records.

The second location, which will be determined later, will house a testing and validation laboratory for the company's product safety systems. They have a goal of developing a completely zero emission mobility system.

The Michigan Economic Development Corp. approved a $5 million Michigan Business Development Program grant, which will be paid only if Plastic Omnium New Energies creates the promised number of jobs.

The Michigan Strategic Fund also is providing a nearly $2.4 million tax abatement over 15 years for the project.

"This investment in the largest hydrogen storage manufacturing plant in the U.S. is a testament to the strong relationship we have had over the years with Michigan," said Plastic Omnium New Energies USA Managing Director Alexandra Charnelet. "We are excited to make Plastic Omnium and the state of Michigan the cornerstone of zero carbon commercial mobility."

Bennett said the investment will continue strong growth in Grand Blanc Township's taxable value, which already is the largest in Genesee County and double the next highest.

"Our township has been growing by an average of about $80 million to $100 million a year for the last 10 years and this will take us off the charts," he said.

Click here for information about open jobs at Plastic Omnium New Energies.

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