by orionontv | Mar 27, 2025 | Regional News
Gov. Whitmer Announces 240 New Jobs in Kent & Oakland Counties
OVD Insurance announces acquisition of Grand Rapids building, creates 131 new jobs and TYC Americas establishes new facility in Wixom, creates 109 new jobs
LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced two business expansion projects in key industries that will help create 240 new jobs and result in nearly $31 million in capital investment in Kent and Oakland counties. OVD Insurance is announcing the acquisition of a new building in downtown Grand Rapids to accommodate significant growth with their customer base. In Wixom, TYC Americas is announcing a new facility to service their customer base and onshore their manufacturing operations from China and Taiwan to Michigan.
“Today’s expansions by OVD Insurance and TYC Americas will create 240 new, good-paying jobs in and drive nearly $31 million of investment in Grand Rapids and Wixom,” said Governor Whitmer. “Both these companies are betting on Michigan and doubling down on our state because of our strong network of talent and quality of life. Together, let’s keep growing our professional services industry and competing against other states and nations to bring advanced manufacturing home.”
“Today’s announcements by OVD Insurance and TYC Americas highlight Michigan’s economic diversity and these company’s steadfast commitment to Making it in Michigan,” said Matt McCauley, Senior Vice President, Regional Prosperity at the MEDC. “As we continue executing the Make it in Michigan economic development strategy by focusing on People, Places, and Projects, we stand at the ready to help support companies looking to create new jobs, invest in Michigan and help drive economic resiliency in every corner of the state.”
OVD Insurance is a full-service, independent insurance brokerage located in Wyoming, MI that has experienced significant growth, having doubled in the last five years. To accommodate its growth, OVD Insurance in partnership with CWD Real Estate Investment is announcing the purchase of the 7-story, 99,000 square-foot office building located at 37 Ottawa Avenue Northwest in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids. OVD, with offices in Grand Rapids, Pittsburgh, and Raleigh, as well as partnerships in Dallas and Nashville, plans to make significant investments into the building throughout 2025 and anticipates their move to be late Q3 or Q4 this year.
“Being part of Grand Rapids’ ongoing growth is an exciting opportunity. Through this move, we’re grateful to partner with CWD, The Right Place, the City of Grand Rapids, and the MEDC,” said Josh Van Vels, President of OVD Insurance. “This relocation marks a significant milestone for OVD, reflecting our commitment to the next phase of our company’s evolution. This new location is more than just an office — it’s an investment in our culture, our people, and the future of OVD Insurance.”
“We are in the people business,” Van Vels adds. “We have world-class people, and we’re committed to attracting and retaining top talent.”
Today’s announcement is anticipated to result in the capital investment of at least $12,040,000 and the creation of at least 131 new jobs with the support of the Michigan Strategic Fund in the form of a $1 million Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Attracting world-class talent was a key driving factor in their decision to select Michigan.
“West Michigan is continually growing as a competitive place for businesses to thrive and for young workers to secure good-paying jobs and put down roots — and investments like this $1 million business development grant make all the difference in ensuring we can continue building on this economic progress here in Grand Rapids,” said Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids). “Congratulations to the grant recipient, Wyoming’s very own OVD Insurance. Let’s keep working together to bring more new jobs, businesses, and capital investment home to West Michigan.”
“It’s exciting to see a West Michigan company making intentional investments in their community,” said state Representative Kristian Grant (D-Grand Rapids). “As we work hard in Lansing to attract high paying, long term jobs it’s also important that we recognize the local companies who are already doing the work so that we can find ways to support them as well.”
With rapid upward mobility opportunities, new jobs will have starting wages of $30.00 per hour, noticeably above the regional median wage of $21.97. In addition, the company provides employees with a robust benefits package.
“We’re excited OVD Insurance has chosen to grow their headquarters in the heart of Grand Rapids,” said Andria Romkema, Senior Vice President of Business Development at The Right Place, Inc. “OVD’s decision to locate their corporate HQ in the city will bring more energy to an already vibrant downtown and speaks to the region’s ability to attract the highly skilled talent our companies need to thrive.”
For those interested in pursuing a career with OVD Insurance, please click <HERE.>
TYC Americas is a supplier of automotive lighting products for two- and four-wheel vehicles and is one of the world’s largest vehicle equipment manufacturers and worldwide supplier to both OEMs and replacement aftermarket companies.
“TYC is proud to announce the opening of the Michigan Mobility Center in Wixom,” noted John Kovalik, TYC Americas OEM Operations and Strategy. “This site will expand our global reach with world class Engineering and Manufacturing.
The company is announcing they are establishing a new facility in Wixom to service current and future customers throughout North America that will bring manufacturing operations from China and Taiwan to Michigan. The expansion project is expected to generate $18,750,000 in capital investment along with the creation of 109 new jobs paying between $24 and $55 per hour plus benefits, which is above the regional median wage of $23.73 per hour.
The company evaluated moving their new facility to Georgia near an existing customer base and company site, however, Michigan was chosen due to access to Michigan’s world-class talent pool and the elimination of supply chain issues from overseas. Today’s announcement was supported by the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) through a $981,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. In addition to MSF support, the company is partnering with Oakland County Michigan Works! to attract, manage, and retain talent.
“The City of Wixom is thrilled to welcome TYC Americas and their new research and development hub to the community. They have a beautiful facility, and we’re excited to support their growth and success over the coming years,” said Drew Benson, Assistant City Manager & Director of Economic Development for the City of Wixom. “There is a long history of high-end manufacturers like TYC finding success in Wixom, and we sincerely appreciate TYC’s innovative presence and significant investment into our community.”
The company’s parent, TYC Brother Industrial, was founded in Taiwan in 1964. In 1991 they began doing business in the United States and today have five distribution centers with approximately 150 employees, 10 of which are Michigan residents.
For those looking to pursue a career with TYC Americas, please click <HERE.>
|
by orionontv | Mar 26, 2025 | Regional News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
[DATE]
Contact: Ron Leix, Treasury, 517-335-2167
Michigan Treasury Reminds Seniors About Tax Credits and Other Benefits
Tax Professionals Can Help Connect Eligible Individuals with Tax Programs.
LANSING, Mich. – Older Michiganders have important tax credits and subtractions they can use this tax season to lower their tax bill or provide a refund, according to the Michigan Department of Treasury.
These eligible benefits include the Homestead Property Tax Credit, the Home Heating Credit and the Retirement and Pension Benefits Subtraction. Often, uninformed individuals may miss permitted tax deductions.
“I encourage seniors to seek out a qualified tax professional and investigate the Michigan tax benefits they may be eligible to receive,” State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks said. “You may qualify for low to no cost tax assistance from IRS-trained and certified volunteers. Taking advantage of tax programs and available resources can lead to more income for groceries, prescriptions, housing costs and other needs on a fixed income.”
Homestead Property Tax Credit
The Homestead Property Tax Credit is a benefit for qualified Michigan homeowners and renters, helping to pay some of the property taxes billed.
This credit can be filed up to four years from the year it could be claimed and the maximum credit amount may be adjusted annually.
Details about your income, property and living situation impact the allowable credit amount. For guidance, visit Treasury’s new Homestead Property Tax Credit webpages.
Home Heating Credit
The Home Heating Credit is a tax benefit for qualified Michigan homeowners and renters with low to moderate income, helping to pay some of their heating expenses.
The maximum credit a taxpayer can claim may change each year. For qualifications and guidance, visit Treasury’s Home Heating Credit webpages.
Individuals who do not qualify for the Home Heating Credit may qualify for other assistance through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps households with high energy bills, shut off notices and home energy repairs.
Retirement and Pension Benefits Subtraction
For retirees, the Retirement and Pension Benefits Subtraction is a reduction of all eligible retirement income from your Michigan taxable income. Retirement income is reported on Form 1099-R for federal tax purposes and includes defined benefit pensions, IRA distributions and most payments from defined contribution plans.
Tax Year 2024 is the second year of the retirement tax rollback phase-in. This new law allows you to choose the most advantageous subtraction for your retirement and pension benefits.
For qualifications and guidance, visit Treasury’s refreshed Retirement and Pension Benefits webpages. These pages include a Retirement and Pension Estimator that can help individuals determine the eligible deduction and subtraction with the greatest value.
Need Filing Assistance?
For assistance filing a tax return, seniors are encouraged to visit michiganfreetaxhelp.org, irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep or dial 2-1-1. Connect with your local Area Agency on Aging to learn about tax support and services available in your area.
In addition, electronic filing and direct deposit is fast, convenient, and safe. Details are available at mifastfile.org.
Allow at least 4 weeks from the date you receive your e-filed state tax return confirmation to receive your refund.
Last year, of the approximately 5 million returns received by Treasury, Michigan taxpayers e-filed more than 91% of those returns. For more information about e-filing, go to mifastfile.org.
by orionontv | Mar 26, 2025 | Regional News
If your license or ID has a star, you are REAL ID ready
Travelers will need a compliant document to fly in U.S. starting May 7, 2025
LANSING, Mich. – As the federal deadline approaches, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said more than 73% of people with a Michigan driver’s license or ID have already upgraded to a REAL ID. Beginning May 7, all U.S. airlines will require a REAL ID-compliant document to board a domestic flight, and travelers without one could be delayed.
Michiganders can obtain a REAL ID, which is a license or ID marked by a star, by going to Michigan.gov/REALID to schedule an appointment at any Secretary of State office. The scheduling system will walk them through documents they will need to bring.
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson encourages residents who do not have a REAL ID but may need one to apply soon, as it will take weeks to receive in the mail.
“Michigan is well above the national average in compliance with the REAL ID standard. If your license or ID has the star, you are REAL ID ready,” Secretary Benson said. “We want to ensure Michiganders are aware of the approaching deadline and can take the steps needed to avoid possible inconvenience and delays. The Michigan Department of State is ready and available to help Michigan residents easily convert their driver’s license to a REAL ID ahead of this deadline.”
Those who provide proper documentation will be issued a license or ID in Michigan’s new design, which features a REAL ID star indicator in the gold shape of Michigan. Older blue and green licenses and IDs that have the REAL ID star in a gold circle on them are also compliant.
The federal REAL ID Act of 2005 was passed in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks and requires higher standards for identification. When the law goes into full effect May 7, 2025, a standard Michigan driver’s license or ID card no longer will be adequate to board an aircraft for a domestic flight or to enter military bases, nuclear power plants, or certain other federal facilities.
Many people have an ID that meets federal REAL ID standards, such as a valid U.S. passport, a Trusted Traveler card, or an enhanced driver’s license. Participation in the program is voluntary and anyone who doesn’t want a REAL ID will be issued a standard license or ID that can’t be used for federal identification purposes.
Upgrading a standard license or ID to a REAL ID is free if done during the normal renewal period. Otherwise, a card correction fee of $9 for a driver’s license or $10 for an ID is charged.
As of March 21, 73.5 percent of Michigan driver’s licenses and state ID cards are REAL ID-compliant. That includes enhanced driver’s licenses and IDs, which are REAL ID-compliant and can be used to cross the border into the United States from Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean by land or sea. The indicator for an enhanced license or ID in Michigan is a U.S. flag icon.
When applying for a REAL ID, you will need to bring:
- Your driver’s license or ID.
- Your certified birth certificate, with a raised seal or stamp issued by a governmental agency; your valid, unexpired U.S. passport; or an approved citizenship or legal presence document. (Faxes and photocopies won’t be accepted.)
- If your name differs from what is on your birth certificate, bring certified documents, such as marriage licenses or court orders, for every time your name has changed.
The Michigan Department of State has been working with airports in Michigan for years to provide signage and other reminders to travelers about the upcoming deadline. The department also includes reminders about REAL ID on driver’s license and ID renewal notices and has completed several marketing campaigns about REAL ID over the past six years. Learn more at Michigan.gov/REALID.
Editors: Sample REAL ID graphic
|
by orionontv | Mar 24, 2025 | Regional News
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 21, 2025
Contact: Ron Leix, Treasury, 517-335-2167
Tax Returns, Payments Must Be
Made by Tuesday, April 15, 2025
LANSING, Mich. – Taxpayers have less than a month to file their state individual income tax return, according to the Michigan Department of Treasury (Treasury).
State individual income tax returns must be filed electronically or postmarked through the U.S. Postal Service by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, April 15. For more information about e-filing, go to www.mifastfile.org.
“There are less than four weeks remaining in this year’s individual income tax filing season,” said State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks. “Taxpayers still have plenty of time to file their state individual income tax returns. For the most accurate returns, considering electronic filing or using a reputable preparer. Taking time out of your schedule and filing today ensures you receive all the tax credits and deductions you are entitled to receive.”
To date, more than 2.1 million returns for the 2024 tax year have been processed, providing more than $1.61 billion in refunds. The average refund amount is $920.
Printed tax forms are available online and at public libraries, post offices in northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula, Department of Health and Human Services county offices, and Treasury field offices.
For the benefit and convenience of taxpayers, both federal and state of Michigan individual income tax returns are due April 15, 2025. City of Detroit individual income tax returns are also due on April 15, 2025.
Taxpayers who owe tax must make any outstanding payments by April 15, 2025.
Ask Tax Questions with Treasury eServices
Michigan taxpayers who have questions about their individual income tax returns or refunds can use Treasury’s Individual Income Tax eService to find answers at their convenience. The platform also enables taxpayers to change addresses, view estimated tax payments, calculate penalty and interest, and view and respond to letters.
Allow 4 weeks from the date you receive your e-filed state tax return confirmation or 8 weeks from the postmark date on your mailed state tax return to receive your refund. After that timeframe, you can check the status at michigan.gov/wheresmyrefund.
|
by orionontv | Mar 24, 2025 | Regional News
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 21, 2025
|
|
MPSC Approves New $154 Million Consumers Energy Rate Hike
LANSING – Today, the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) approved yet another electric rate hike for Consumers Energy, allowing the company to collect an additional $153,809,000 in revenue from its ratepayers. While the approved rate hike is 53% lower than Consumers Energy’s original request for a combined $325 million rate hike, due in part to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s continued advocacy on behalf of ratepayers, it comes on the heels of a previous rate hike approved by the MPSC just 12 months ago. Attorney General Dana Nessel intervenes in all rate hike cases before the MPSC to advocate for Michigan’s ratepaying utility customers.
“Only 12 months since their last rate hike was approved, Consumers Energy customers are facing yet another rate hike in what has become a never-ending cycle,” Nessel said. “Consumers Energy and DTE keep coming back to the trough, and over and over again Michiganders are forced to pay higher and higher bills just to keep the lights on. I applaud my team’s efforts in blunting the impact of this increase on ratepayers’ bills, but yet again electric rates are rising for Consumers Energy’s customers. Fighting these constant rate hikes is unending, year-round work in my office, and we’ll continue to stand on guard for Michigan utility customers.”
Consumers Energy filed this rate increase case in May of 2024, seeking permission to extract from its ratepaying customers $303 million more than would be collected at their current electric rates. Consumers Energy also sought to capture from rate-paying customers an additional $22 million through a separate 12-month customer surcharge beginning in March of 2025. A $325 million rate hike would have raised electricity rates by 8.2% for residential customers. In her filed testimony, the Attorney General argued that Consumers should receive no more than $82.9 million, or approximately a 1.8% increase. The MPSC’s approved rate represents a 2.8% rate increase for residential customers.
By law, utility companies can only file requests for rate increases every 12 months. Consumers Energy filed this rate increase request a mere 91 days after their last electric rate hike was approved by the commission last year. In addition to DTE’s filed notice for their upcoming electric rate hike request (U-21860), Consumers Energy has an open natural gas rate hike request before the commission as well (U-21806).
The Attorney General has saved Michigan consumers nearly $3.7 billion by intervening in utility cases before the MPSC. Consumers Energy sells electricity to approximately 1.9 million customers throughout Michigan and natural gas to 1.8 million customers across the state.
|
|
by orionontv | Mar 21, 2025 | Regional News
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 20, 2025
|
|
AG Nessel Encourages Consumers to Review Free Credit Reports as Part of National Credit Education Month
LANSING – March is National Credit Education Month, and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is reminding residents that they can access free weekly credit reports from each of the three main credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
“National Credit Education Month is a perfect time to educate yourself on the importance of understanding and checking your credit score,” Nessel said. “Taking the time to review your free weekly credit report can help you stay vigilant against scammers and build a strong financial foundation for the future.”
Credit reports contain the financial and personal data used by businesses and potential creditors to assess an individual’s financial fitness for rentals, house and vehicle financing, insurance, or even a job. The approval of your application could be impacted by inaccurate information, and it benefits residents to be knowledgeable about what is in their credit report and affecting their overall credit score.
The free weekly credit report can be accessed from AnnualCreditReport.com, the only official site for free credit reports authorized by federal law. Other sites offer free credit reports, though residents should exercise caution and watch for sites that have been spoofed, or fraudulent sites designed to steal your money or your personal information.
For general questions, or to file a complaint, contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Team:
|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE