Systems Control in Iron Mountain will be adding 190 new jobs as a result of a transportation development grant that will allow the company to be more efficient and reduce its costs.
The $2 million grant comes from the
Michigan Department of Transportation's transportation economic development fund, designed to help businesses improve local transportation, and at the same time, improve their bottom line. The grant in this case will upgrade Lake Antoine Road into a major truck artery, redirecting Systems Control & other commercial trucks off city streets.
"MDOT is pleased to partner with the Dickinson County Road Commission, the city of Iron Mountain, and Systems Control on this project," says MDOT director Kirk Steudle. "Resurfacing this major commercial corridor will lead to reduced delays and shipping costs for the company, and increased safety for local residents by getting large commercial vehicles off downtown streets."
The Dickinson County Road Commission will contribute $327,000 and the city of Iron Mountain will contribute $186,000 to the project, which will completely resurface the road and restore it to all-season status. Deteriorating road surfaces have meant a restriction on truck traffic on the road in recent years. Since Systems Control is located on Lake Antoine Road, the control and relay panel manufacturer has incurred higher shipping costs as a result.
With the resurfacing and rebuilding project, Systems Control has agreed to expand at its Iron Mountain location, investing about $10.6 million into a new building, new equipment, and adding 190 new jobs.
"The Dickinson County Road Commission is pleased that MDOT, in awarding this grant, has acknowledged this roadway is a vital link in our economic infrastructure," says James Harris Sr., chairman of the Dickinson County Road Commission. "Our partner in securing this grant, Systems Control, is a major employer in the Michigan-Wisconsin region. This roadway is an integral part of our country road system."
Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Kirk Steudle, Michigan Department of Transportation
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