LENAWEE NOW V ISION
MIS SION
Lenawee Now (formerly know as The Lenawee Economic Development Corporation) shall be a central organization within Lenawee County for the coordination of economic development activity in both new and existing businesses. This effort should include standing as the county liaison to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), sourcing site locations for new business attraction situations in local municipalities, and representing Lenawee County in the newly formed Region 9 state economic district. Additionally, Lenawee Now shall be a resource for potential local and state financing or tax incentive opportunities and an ongoing communication mechanism for stakeholders in Lenawee County.
Support, assist, and coordinate the search for jobs through economic improvement for all participating governmental and economic entities.
TABLE OF CONTENTS 3 4 6 8 10 14 16 17 18 19
2
P R E 10 0 Y E A R S T IME L INE W OR L D WA R 2 DI V E R SI T Y IN INDUS T R IE S W E C HO SE L E N AW E E A GR IC ULT UR E JOIN US TA L E N T P OOL BE A PA R T OF T HE NE X T 10 0 Y E A R S M A JOR IN V E S T OR S
PRE 100 YEARS
T HOM A S EDIS ON
M A IL DEL I V ER Y
In 1864, Thomas Edison moved to Adrian where he lived for a short period of his life. He was hired as the night telegraph operator at the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railroad.
Adrian is officially the first city in the United States to deliver mail by motor vehicle in 1902.
L A UR A H AV IL A ND
J. WA L L A C E PA GE
L ION C A R
Laura Haviland was an important figure in the history of Lenawee County and the Underground Railroad. In 1837, she and her husband Charles Haviland founded the Raisin Institute, which was considered the first integrated, coeducational school in Michigan. Haviland helped slaves escape to freedom by establishing the Underground Railroad in Michigan.
J. Wallace Page designed and patented the first woven wire fence in the world. Page started a small factory in Rollin, Michigan, which later moved to Adrian. The company's growth eventually lead to the erection of large mills in Monessen, Pennsylvania. He created the Page Fence Giants baseball team as a means of advertising across the country.
Beginning production in 1909, Lion Motor Car Company provided quality, reasonably priced automobiles. Nearly 300 Lenawee County residents were employed at Lion and the cars became very popular at auto shows, especially in Chicago. Only two known Lion cars still exist today, one of which is on display at the Lenawee County Historical Museum.
General Broach of Morenci ser ves 15 separate industries all over the world. They specialize in the design and assembly of machines that are used to make fan blades for jet engines.
3
1916
1953
Oliver of Adrian
Adrian Steel
1920
1962
Ervin Industries
Uckele Health & Nutrition
193 4
1965
Tecumseh Products
1935 Applewood Orchards
1939 Morenci Rubber Products
19 4 2
General Broach
19 45 Homer Donaldson Company (HODOCO) Bohn Aluminum & Brass Corporation
19 4 6 Primore, Inc. Merillat Cabinets Brazeway The manufacturer of aluminum heat exchange products opens in Adrian.
Blissfield Manufacturing
4
Felix Witt A local farmer from Fairfield Township, he was the first to grow hybrid corn in Michigan, which earned him recognition as one of the 12 outstanding farmers in North America in 1965.
1967 Anderson Development
1969 Wacker Chemical
100 YEARS OF INNOVATION 1973 Roto Plastics The plastic fabrication company in Adrian, Michigan begins to manufacture lightweight plastic molded parts that are used in athletic padding design worldwide.
2010 Glov Enterprises The injection molder who services the industrial, consumer and automotive markets opens a facility in Tecumseh.
Venchurs Global
1976 Glycon Group
1981 L&W Group
1987 Kirchhoff Van-Rob
2000 Plastic Omnium (Solvay, Inergy)
2001 Hi-Lex Controls
2003 Uniloy Milacron
200 9 Meridian Mechatronics The precision manufacturing and engineering company that designs large commercial telescopes for astronomy, aerospace, robotics, and medical applications is founded.
2013 Adrian Innovation Center Developed by the Entrepreneurial Studies department at Adrian College, The Innovation Center becomes home to student and local start-up businesses.
MetCan Industrial Milk Source (Hudson Dairy)
2014 Lily Ann Cabinets
2015 Kamco
Comstar Automotive Technologies, an India-based company, moved their headquar ters to Tecumseh in 2012. Comstar produces star ters for the Ford Motor Company F-350 pickup truck.
5
WORLD WAR II MORENC I R UBBER P R ODUC T S This leader in innovative rubber molding technologies became the city’s largest employer with approximately 275 workers. The company, established in 1939, contributed to the efforts of World War II by producing plastic bearings and nose cones for shells and bombs.
BOHN A L UMINUM & BR A S S C ORP OR AT ION Roughly 2,700 workers manufactured parts for the B17 and B19 bombers at two Lenawee County facilities.
6
MORENC I EGG DR Y ER S After checking, cracking, drying, and packaging, local Lenawee eggs were ready to meet our brave soldiers overseas. Approximately 80 women shipped 252,000 eggs per day to our troops.
NU -WAY M A NUFA C T URING Founded in 1917, this local neck tie manufacturer shipped ties to the army and created “soldier kits” that families purchased to send to their boys overseas. These kits included a billfold, muffler, belt, and tie. Owner Ollie E. Mott operated his business in a former roller skating rink on North Winter street.
C L IN T ON W OOL EN MIL L The blue woolen cloth produced at the Michigan Avenue mill contributed to the mass production of uniforms for the Navy.
During World War II, Amos ‘Andy’ Anderson was recruited to work on the Manhat tan Projec t with Alber t Einstein and other scientists to develop the f irst nuclear weapons. Amos later returned to his hometown of Adrian, Michigan and established the Anderson Development Company, a prodcuer of key ingredients for impor tant medicine of the time.
7
A GRIC ULT URE
Our farms are using innovative techniques to grow the best crops and raise the healthiest livestock, earning Lenawee County high rankings in the Great Lakes Region Agricultural Statistics.
A P P L E W OOD OR C H A R D S MIL K S OUR C E (HUD S ON D A IR Y ) EDEN F OOD S HONE Y T R EE UC K EL E HE A LT H & NU T R I T ION HMI H A R D W OOD S , L L C
DIVERSITY IN INDUSTRIES (Not all-inclusive.)
AUTO
Our local manufacturers are exporting parts globally, developing innovative technology, and on the leading ege of the automotive industry.
IN T E VA P R ODUC T S K IR C HHOF F VA N - R OB GL O V EN T ER P R I SE S C OM S TA R A U T OMO T I V E R IM A M A NUFA C T UR ING 8
MIC HIG A N IN T ER N AT ION A L S P EED WAY P L A S T IC OMNIUM HI-LE X CONTROL S L & W GR OUP HODOC O
HE A DQU A R T ER S & OF F ICE S Our communities offer the resources necessary to house successful corporate headquarters.
BR A ZE WAY MASCO WA C K ER C HEMIC A L
CHEMIC A L
Our chemical corporations, a unique industry in Lenawee County, ship a variety of materials to manufacturers all over the world.
A IR G A S DR Y IC E A NDER S ON DE V EL OP MEN T WA C K ER C HEMIC A L S IL B OND C OR P
ENER G Y
Our local manufacturers are developing alternative forms of energy and revolutionizing the way mankind will harnes this valuable resource in the future.
W 2 F UEL S GR EEN P L A IN S , INC .
M A NUFA C T URING
Our innovative companies are employing a talented workforce and developing new technologies that are setting new standards globally.
A DR I A N S T EEL GENER A L BR O A C H UNIL O Y MIL IC R ON ME T C A N P R IMOR E T E C UM SEH PA C K A GING
BL IS S F IEL D M A NUFA C T UR ING ER V IN INDU S T R IE S GLY C ON GR OUP L ILY A NN C A BINE T S PPG
9
WA C K ER C HEMIC A L Munich-based Wacker Chemie AG has conducted business in over 100 countries since its inception in Traunstein, Germany in 1914. It now employs approximately 17,000 people worldwide at 25 production facilities, 22 competence centers, and 50 sales offices. Automotive and transportation, construction, paints, health and personal care, and renewable energy are just some of the industries that benefit from their considerable product line.
Wacker's north American headquarters, located in Raisin Township since 1969, is one of Lenawee County's largest employers with a workforce of over 500 local residents. Locally manufactured products include various chemical emulsions, elastomers, and silicone fluids. The Lenawee plant earned an Environmental Protection Agency Achievement Award and is an American Chemistry Council and Responsible Care© charter member.
MERIL AT T C A BINE T S Orville and Ruth Merillat began making kitchen history in 1946 when they opened a small business called Merillat Cabinets in Adrian. By the 1950’s, they were the nation’s largest cabinet manufacturer.
Some of their most acclaimed accomplishments include being the first company to use exclusive Formica® Laminate in their cabinets and receiving the patent for the original self-closing hinge.
13
BL IS SF IEL D C A NNING Home Canning, also known as Blissfield Canning Co., was founded in the late 1800’s. It remained family owned until 1956, when it was incorporated by Dean Sellers of Detroit.
HONE Y T REE , INC . With customers including retail outlets, food service, and industrial manufacturers, HoneyTree takes pride in their True Source Honey Certification as well as their involvement in the American Honey Producers Association. Founded in Onsted, Michigan in 1918, this company is still supplying the United States with a variety of honest honey products.
A P P L E W OOD OR C H A RD S Applewood Orchards was founded in 1935 by Walter E. Swindeman, and is now in its fourth generation of family ownership. In 1958, one of the first Controlled Atmosphere rooms in the United States was constructed at the orchard. The family was among the first to install an apple waxer at the facility in 1961. Applewood ships to areas east of the Rocky Mountains and internationally.
14
Originally proper ty of the City of Adrian, The Lenawee County Airpor t Authority officially received ownership of the small runway in 1967. This public airpor t underwent a massive expansion in 2001, constructing a 5,001ft long by 100ft wide runway large enough to land a 72,000 pound plane.
AGRICULTURE
MIL K S OUR C E (HUD S ON D A IR Y) Hudson Dairy is one of the eight facilities owned by Milk The dairy incorporates a reusable water treatment method Source LLC. The farm houses cattle in a healthy, comfortable, and has the capacity to produce 30,000 gallons of milk and environmentally conscious way. Hudson Dairy supplies per day! local farmers with fertilizer and in return receives feed for the large herd.
DID Y OU K NO W ?
AG PRODUCTION 344,347 ACRES NUMBER OF FARMS 1,618 AVERAGE SIZE OF FARM 213 ACRES MARKET VALUE OF $204,571,000 PRODUCTS SOLD TOP 3 AREAS OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION in Lenawee County by volume of sales
70% OF LENAWEE COUNTY IS FARMLAND
> > >
Grains, oilseeds, dry beans, and dry peas Milk and other dairy products from cows Cattle and calves
SOURCES: Michigan State University Extension, AgBioResearch, 2015
15
JOIN US Lenawee County offers diversity in its many industries across the county, from automotive to agriculture, and silicone to steel. The strong work ethic ingrained generations ago is still alive today and we are thriving on the impact of our heritage while developing innovations that will influence our future.
C H A RI TA BL E OR G A NI Z AT IONS F OUNDED IN L EN AW EE › Farver Foundation › Herrick Foundation › Maurice & Dorothy Stubnitz Foundation › Murdock Foundation › Orville D. & Ruth A. Merillat Foundation › Robert E. and Rosemary Price Foundation › Robideau Foundation › Sage Foundation › Stephen L. Hickman Family Foundation Many Lenawee County businesses have evolved over time, gaining global recognition and world renowned success. Not only have these businesses created an abundance of jobs and excellent products, they have birthed charitable organizations that have impacted many people in our community. We are thankful to these foundations who have provided generous donations within Lenawee County for generations.
16
TALENT POOL A DR I A N C OL L E GE
A nationally recognized liberal arts school, Adrian College provides a diverse and personalized education. Money Magazine again ranked the Bulldogs among the best in its third annual list of 2016-2017 Best Colleges. Offering over 40 academic majors, 32 athletic teams, and 70 student organizations, Adrian College is dedicated to preparing passionate and talented students for the workforce.
J A C K S ON C OL L E GE
Jackson College is diligently preparing it's students for the real world with 36 degree options in skilled trades and agriculture including welding, manufacturing design, automotive, service technology, and energy systems. In addition, Jackson College combines classroom instruction, laboratory experience, and clinical practice to help students excel in their chosen health profession.
S IEN A HEIGH T S UNI V E R S I T Y
What began as a small Catholic university in 1919 has grown into a strong institution that educates students across seven campuses statewide. Siena Heights was named the best online Bachelor’s program in Michigan, according to U.S. News and World Report. Approximately 100 graduate and undergraduate programs are offered with a specific focus on the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Professional Studies.
L I S D T E C H C EN T ER
The LISD TECH Center provides local high school students with opportunities to build skills in specialized programs including advanced manufacturing, culinary arts, welding, automotive repair, marketing, and more. Students earn high school or college credit and have opportunities to network with local businesses that are relevant to their field of study.
S O U T HER N MIC HIG A N C E N T ER F OR S C IENC E & INDU S T R Y
Train today. Work tomorrow. The Southern Michigan Center for Science and Industry (CSI) is preparing their students for success in the fields of engineering, sales, and advanced manufacturing.
17
BE A PART OF THE NEXT 100 YEARS Originally established in 1916 as the Adrian Area Chamber of Commerce, Lenawee Now is proud to celebrate 100 years of service. Today Lenawee Now, a public-private entity, is the county’s economic development leader and centers its efforts on attracting new businesses, helping current businesses grow, and supporting entrepreneurial endeavors. Carefully constructed strategies build a brighter tomorrow: › Creating new jobs by attracting and expanding businesses in the area › Investing in a talented workforce and building skills necessary to meet employer demands in the future › Coaching entrepreneurs to make informed decisions › Encouraging community involvement in Lenawee County
18
From agriculture to cutting-edge technologies, we have it all. Establishing your business roots in Lenawee County can enrich your commercial opportunities while growing your international influence. The journey into the next 100 years continues. Join the organization that has made tremendous impact around the world throughout the century. Let's write the next chapter of this story together. Contact Lenawee Now today!
MAJOR INVESTORS Chairman’s Club
Adrian College Citizens Gas Fuel Company City of Adrian City of Tecumseh Lenawee County Lenawee Intermediate School District Old National Bank
PHOTOS Adrian Steel iSci: Museum of Innovation & Science Milk Source Lenawee County His torical Society All other photos proper ty of Lenawee Now
Special thanks to the Lenawee County Historical Society and WePhoto.
President’s Club
Anderson Development Company Blissfield Manufacturing Company Brazeway, Inc. Consumers Energy The Daily Telegram DTE Energy Ervin Industries First Federal Bank Gleaner Life Insurance Society, Inc. Jackson College Kapnick Insurance Group Michigan Works! Southeast ProMedica Siena Heights University Venchurs Global Village of Blissfield Wacker Chemical Corporation
This publication was done in partnership with Adrian College and Siena Heights University internship programs and interns: Erica Keene and Carly Tillotson.
Uckele Health and Nutrition strives to understand the science behind nutrition in order to provide the most beneficial dietary products for dogs, horses, and humans. Uckele is a recipient of the 2008 Entrepreneurial and Business Excellence Award, a member of the Entrepreneurial and Business Excellence Hall of Fame, and has been listed on America’s Fastest Growing Companies for four years.
19
LenaweeNow.org 5285 W. US 223, Adrian, MI 49221 517.265.5141 info@LenaweeNow.org
/LenaweeNow @LenaweeNow /Company/Lenawee-Now