Browsers that can not handle javascript will not be able to access some features of this site.
Skip Navigation
Michigan's Former GovernorsMichigan.gov, official Web site for the state of Michigan
Michigan.gov HomeFormer Governors Home
Printer Friendly Version Printer Friendly   Text Only Version Text Version  Share this page.
MEDC Helps Attract Kmart's New High-Tech Center to Troy

Contact:  John Truscott (517) 335-6397
Agency: Governor Snyder


Governor John Engler announced today that the Michigan Economic Development Corporation's (MEDC) incentives package has helped bring Kmart Corporation's new high-tech development center to Troy. The MEDC won the project by making a competitive business case, against Kentucky, to expand in Michigan with a Single Business Tax credit and job training assistance.

Kmart Corporation selected Troy over Louisville, Kentucky, for their new high-tech development center that will spearhead the overhaul of corporate-wide information systems. It is estimated by an economic analysis that this high-tech center will create 753 new jobs, 450 in the company, for Michigan workers.

"Kmart, under the new leadership of Chuck Conaway, is making significant strides in restructuring their corporation for maximum profitability," Engler said. "The fact that Troy is part of this new plan shows Kmart's continued commitment to Michigan and proves the quality of the local workforce."

The new center will be located on West Big Beaver Road, near Kmart's world headquarters. It will require a company investment of about $50 million, including building renovations and equipment purchases.

" Troy is excited about the continual growth of Kmart Corporation on Big Beaver Road. The latest investment will lead the way to a more technologically competitive company," said John Szerlag, Troy city manager. " The nearly $50 million project will upgrade and equip an 80,000 square foot facility near its headquarters."

Of the new jobs, 303 spin-off jobs will be created from increased spending by people who receive income from the jobs at the Kmart Corporation, according to an economic analysis done by the University of Michigan.

A key feature of the MEDC incentives package is a Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) tax credit, approved today by the MEGA board, worth an estimated $15.9 million over 14 years. MEGA, which is administered by the MEDC, is used to promote high quality economic growth, job creation and retention in Michigan. In addition, the incentives package includes job training assistance valued at $450,000 for new employees at Kmart's high-tech development center.

This project will provide over $43.2 million in revenue to the state over the life of the agreement, resulting in a net positive gain for the state of over $27.2 million, after the MEGA credit. The project is expected to generate over $540.4 million in personal income during that time.

Kmart Corporation is one of the world's largest mass merchandise retailers. The corporation employs 4,072 people at its world headquarters in Troy.

"Kmart will invest more than $2 billion during the next two years to create a state-of-the-art technology infrastructure that will make our company more efficient and competitive, " said Chuck Conaway, chairman and CEO of Kmart Corporation. "We greatly value the vision, support and leadership of Governor Engler, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Oakland County and the City of Troy as we pool the strengths of the public and private sectors and leverage the power of technology."

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation works in partnership with local communities and Michigan businesses to retain and expand job opportunities and improve Michigan's overall business climate. For more information, on the Michigan Economic Development Corporation's initiatives and programs, visit the website at www.michigan.org.

Kmart Corporation
MEGA Analysis
Summary Estimated
(All estimates in 2000 dollars)
TOTAL JOBS CREATED 753
Direct 450
Indirect 303
NET POSITIVE STATE REVENUE IMPACT $27,281,000
Revenue Forgone $15,957,000
Revenue Gain $43,238,000
Average Wage $1,154/week
Personal Income Generated Over Life of MEGA Agreement $540,471,000
Michigan Business One Stop
Link to Department and Agencies Web Site Index
Link to Statewide Online Services Index
Link to Statewide Web-based Surveys
Link to RSS feeds available on this site
Related Content
 •  Four Brownfield Areas to be Reborn
 •  State Announces Preliminary Closing of Books for Fiscal Year 2002
 •  Committee Releases Report on Declining Enrollment in Small Michigan School Districts
 •  Dapco Industries Earns 53rd Clean Corporate Citizen Designation
 •  Brownfield Success in Inkster and Port Huron
 •  Gentex Corporation to Expand Manufacturing in West Michigan
 •  Three Companies Announce Expansions in Southeast Michigan
 •  Michigan's Unemployment Rate Beats National Average
 •  Digital State 2002 Rates Michigan e-Government Second in the Nation; State ranks as one of the best for five years in a row
 •  Muskegon, Monroe Harbors Receive Improvement Grants
 •  Engler Awaits Court Decision Holding Up $29 Million Annual Ameritech Rate Cut
 •  Engler Announces Winners of Golden Apple and Governor's Cup Awards
 •  Governor Announces Next-Generation Internet Facility in Ann Arbor
 •  Governor Signs Two Bills Providing Pharmaceutical Research and Development Tax Incentives
 •  Three Urban Brownfield Areas to be Revitalized:Developments to spur more than $90 million in new investment
 •  Brose North America to Create New R&D Facility in Auburn Hills:Expansion to create up to 562 new jobs in Michigan
 •  Governor Announces Domestic Violence Initiative to Develop Safe Havens and Model Supervised Visitation Practice
 •  Engler Helps Dedicate New Michigan Hall of Justice; Judiciary has its own building for first time in state history
 •  Governor Recognizes Livonia Engine Plant for Sound Environmental Stewardship
 •  GM Orion Assembly Earns Governor's Praise for Environmental Stewardship

Michigan.gov Home | Former Governors Home
Accessibility Policy | Link Policy | Privacy Policy | Security Policy | Michigan News | Michigan.gov Survey

Copyright © 2001-2011 State of Michigan