St. Clair Shores

Local industrial facilities expanding

By Kristyne E. Demske
C & G Staff Writer

Good news has come in from local manufacturers: the improved economy has meant more work coming in.

“I was here in the spring,” said Duke Nelson, project manager for Fisher Dynamics, who was before City Council Oct. 29 to request site plan approval for a building addition connecting two existing buildings and a truck well. “Before we put a shovel in the ground, it became too small.”

The St. Clair Shores City Council approved a plan in the spring for the company to add two truck wells to the building. Instead, the new 20-foot-by-80-foot above-ground tunnel addition will help the company move goods in inclement weather.

“What was in that building now is being moved to another facility in St. Clair Shores for storage,” he said. “Business is growing. Business is picking up, sales increased in that short timeframe.”

In response to a question from Councilwoman Candice Rusie, Nelson said traffic issues on nearby residential streets from the company had already been resolved.

Councilman Chris Vitale said he was glad to see the business expand in the city.

“I’m glad to see you guys growing,” he said. “It’s really manufacturing that’s brought this economy back in Michigan.”

A motion by Councilman Peter Rubino approving the site plan, supported by Councilman Ron Frederick, passed unanimously.

Down the street, K&K Stamping had its request for an industrial facilities exemption certificate for more than $1 million in new machinery approved Oct. 15.

The proposal to waive a portion of the personal property tax paid by the company for the length of its lease, 10 years, was unanimously approved by City Council.

“We had to do a lot of creative things in 2009 to survive the automotive downturn,” said Doug Evancho, general manager of K&K Stamping, which moved to St. Clair Shores in 2002. “We’re now in a position where we’re ready, prepared to take on some additional new growth of business.”

He said they would likely hire a few new employees with the purchase of the new equipment, and the equipment would be used in the production of new components for years to come.

“We’re not cutting the taxes that are coming in, we’re just allowing a break on the new equipment (taxes),” Councilman John Caron explained.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Kristyne E. Demske at kdemske@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1041.