The ceremonial shovels have gone into the ground for the new BAE Systems campus in Sterling Heights, and the real shovels are expected to begin digging this fall.
The new automotive research and development facility is expected to create 600 new jobs. The center will concentrate on land and armaments projects, such as armored personnel carriers and other military vehicles.
"The expectation is that long term that facility will continue to grow," says Luke Bonner, economic development director for the city of Sterling Heights.
The military-based firm is taking over the old TRW site, on the 32400 block of Van Dyke between 14 and 15 Mile roads. It is investing $58 million to turn the 81-acre property into its new engineering campus. The Michigan Economic Growth Authority approved $1.4 million in loans to make the creation of the new tech center possible.
BAE Systems builds the Bradley Fighting Vehicle, M113 Armored Personnel Carrier, the Valanx, Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles, and a number of other ground vehicles for the U.S. Army.
General Dynamics has traditionally been the main defense contractor in Sterling Heights. However, a number of other defense contractors have set up shop in Sterling Heights in recent years, creating hundreds of engineering jobs in the process.
Source: Luke Bonner, economic development director for the city of Sterling Heights
Writer: Jon Zemke
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