New Markets Tax Credit Allocation Retains 350 Jobs in Rural Michigan
Client: EJ Group, Inc. (formerly known as East Jordan Iron Works)
Client Location: East Jordan, MI
CDFI: Cinnaire
CDFI Service Area: Michigan
Financing
Cinnaire, a nonprofit CDFI that provides creative loans, investments, and development services, recently provided an $11.5 million New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) allocation to support the new construction of a 350,000 square foot, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility for EJ Group, Inc. (formerly known as East Jordan Iron Works). EJ is a leader in designing, manufacturing, and distributing access solutions for the infrastructure systems of municipalities, utility companies, private companies, airport, and port authorities. Products include manhole covers and frames, catch basin and curb inlet grates and frames, trench grates, tree grates, and fire hydrants, as well as fabricated and composite products. EJ Group has designed and delivered products for infrastructure systems in cities big and small throughout the world.
EJ was established in East Jordan, located in Northern Michigan in 1883 by the Malpass family and remains family owned, with fourth and fifth generation family members actively involved in the business. Although the company has an established global presence, the Malpass family has stayed true to their Northern Michigan roots. In addition to their commitment to preserving jobs in their hometown, they also established the Malpass Foundation, which has supported local projects in East Jordan, such as a combination EMS and fire station, the police station, the high school football field and track, and local public pool.
For nearly 135 years, EJ has been one of the prominent employers in the small town of East Jordan. The new foundry site, just 14 miles east of the original location, has allowed EJ to start the construction for a new foundry, with state-of-the-art equipment and technology, while still preserving 350 jobs which will transfer from their current foundry to the new foundry. They have successfully created a culture of loyal, dedicated, and passionate employees, who often volunteer their time and energy in the community to help make Northern Michigan a vibrant place to live, work, and play.
Cinnaire’s NMTC allocation in the new facility allowed EJ to continue to leverage their substantial economic impact in the area while upgrading to a new foundry. The $125 million new facility will customize operations with the most up-to-date global manufacturing technologies, better meeting the needs of customers, vendors, and distributors. The original foundry sources fossil fuels to provide the necessary energy to melt iron and steel for the products, while the new foundry will use electric melt, allowing for a reduced environmental footprint.
“Rural communities often suffer from some of the highest unemployment and poverty rates,” said Mark McDaniel, Cinnaire president & CEO. “The New Markets Tax Credit program provided the financing needed to keep the new EJ foundry in Northern Michigan, protecting jobs that are critical to this rural community. Cinnaire is proud to partner with EJ to provide an investment that perfectly aligns with our mission as a CDFI to revitalize communities while spurring economic development and providing job opportunities.”
“We are sincerely appreciative of Cinnaire’s involvement in our project,” said Jack Poindexter, CFO for EJ. “The New Markets Tax Credit financing is playing a vital role in helping us build a new foundry in Northern Michigan, therefore retaining jobs in our area.”