Charlotte — During times of economic struggle, it is important to acknowledge the good news.
In the forefront of Charlotte's good news is that the city and the state, working together, have put together a grant package that successfully enticed a company that was considering moving out of state to stay in Charlotte, expand into a vacant building and create more local jobs.
Next Door LLC, a joint venture between former competitors Thomas Fabrication of Mason and Redmer Industries of Charlotte, provides parts and storage to Spartan Chassis and other customers. Among other things, Next Door makes nuts and bolts and other metal parts, builds cooling systems for radiators, mounts and balances tires on wheels and stores engines.
The company, started in June 2005 by Dennis Thomas and Randy and Julie Redmer, recently purchased the former Care Free building across the street from its current location on Mikesell Street for expansion.
"The State of Michigan and the city of Charlotte worked together to pull together an attractive package," Randy Redmer said. "We really like this area; we've been partnering with Spartan for years, and they're a wonderful company to work with. We worked with (community development director) Bryan Myrkle, who did a wonderful job, with the state government and the MEDC (Michigan Economic Development Corporation) on a training package for displaced workers."
The Community Development Block Grant is federal money administered by the state, Myrkle said.
"It's normally used to pay for public infrastructure that helps the private sector, such as roads, water or sewer," Myrkle said. "This was a new opportunity to use it for job training."
Myrkle said the city receives the grant money, then reimburses Next Door as they complete the job training.
"It helps them get up and running a little faster," Myrkle said. "It's an incentive to keep them in Charlotte and in Michigan."
Not only did the grant encourage Next Door to keep jobs in Charlotte, but it actually moved the company to bring more jobs to the area. Redmer said the company is considering moving a big agricultural project in Kansas and a special project in Italy into the new facility in Charlotte.
"(The grant) was really incentive to stay here and work with the city," Redmer said. "They were fantastic to work with."
Next Door LLC is currently renovating the long-vacant Care Free building for Next Door projects as well as space to rent to other companies. Redmer said it is a convenient, competitively priced location.
As renovation continues, Next Door is also in the process of hiring. The grant is predicated on the company hiring at least 100 people locally in two years, Redmer said. Next Door has hired 87 since April and is still hiring.
"If even half of the projects we're currently considering come to fruition, we'll hire more than 100 people," Redmer said.
The company is hiring workers for fabrication, general labor, clerical work, engineering and upper management, Redmer said. He has no doubts about finding quality employees locally.
"The workforce here is great," Redmer said. "The people here are good folks; they're hard-working and conscientious. ... We feel (staying in Charlotte has) been a good decision."
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