Northern Michigan plan for munitions facility in Grayling gets state commission approval

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    Plans to build a $75 million munitions facility in Saab Inc. got approval from the natural resource commission director last week
    
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    The NRC approved the land sale of 350 acres in Grayling Township, which is currently managed by the Department of Natural Resources
    
  • 
    The land transaction still needs local approval before it can move forward
    

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  Plans to build a $75 million munitions facility in Saab Inc. got approval from the natural resource commission director last week
  
• 
  The NRC approved the land sale of 350 acres in Grayling Township, which is currently managed by the Department of Natural Resources
  
• 
  The land transaction still needs local approval before it can move forward
  

(FOX 2):The Michigan Natural Resources Commission seemed prepared to approve the sale of hundreds of acres of land up north to a firm that intends to construct a munitions complex.

With the state’s approval in 2024, Saab Inc. had previously revealed plans for a $75 million facility close to Grayling. The commission’s director stated at last week’s meeting that he intended to authorize the transfer of 350 acres of land that are now under the Department of Natural Resources’ management.

We know:

Director Scott Bowen said that he will authorize the $790,000 sale of Crawford County land to Saab, a New York-based business and affiliate of the Swedish automaker that specializes in military products, during the NRC’s monthly meeting on January 9.

The 350-acre state-managed property is situated in Graling Township, north of Higgins Lake, along the I-75 corridor.

In order to build a munitions facility, the firm requested to purchase the site. The Land Exchange Facilitation Fund will receive any funds obtained from the transaction.

It will generate 70 full-time jobs and is referred to as the company’s $75 million investment.

It would be used to assemble “shoulder fired munitions and precision fire systems,” according to the NRC.

Saab is looking to buy land in northern Michigan for a munitions facility in Grayling Township.

What is unknown to us:

When the facility’s construction will start is unknown. According to Saab, the plant should be operational by 2026.

The Grayling Township Board of Trustees’ vote is likewise uncertain. Before anything further can occur, it must authorize the land purchase.

Overview:

It was earlier determined that the acquired land might be used for future industrial and commercial development, which might “focus growth and create regional prosperity,”

Saab’s first investment in the state, the munitions factory, is another win for the governor, who has been trying to get additional companies to invest in Michigan.

Erik Smith, CEO of Saab’s U.S. subsidiary, stated, “We are making a long-term commitment not only to the U.S. defense industrial base, but to the local community as well.”

In late November, the project received approval from the Michigan Strategic Fund. Funding for significant economic initiatives in the state is appropriated by the MSF.

The project is not an extension of the military training center for the Michigan National Guard, Camp Grayling. But according to Saab, it will collaborate with the military installation to test a few of its goods.

No “noticeable increase” in noise is anticipated by the company.

• Data from Saab Inc., the governor’s office, and the Natural Resources Commission.

Data from Saab Inc., the governor’s office, and the Natural Resources Commission.