--This article originally appeared on February 19, 2009
The construction workers have just begun gearing up for demolition in Sterling Heights to make room for BAE Systems new campus.
The military-based firm is taking over the old TRW site on the 32400 block of Van Dyke and turning it into its new engineering campus. The expansion is expected to create 460 new jobs thanks to an investment of $44 million in the 81-acre property.
The Michigan Economic Growth Authority approved $1.4 million in loans to make the creation of the new tech center possible. The center will concentrate on the land and armaments projects.
BAE Systems builds the Bradley Fighting Vehicle, M113 Armored Personnel Carrier, the Valanx, Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles and a number of other ground vehicles for the U.S. Army.
General Dynamics has traditionally been the main defense contractor in Sterling Heights. However, a number of other defense contractors have set up shop in Sterling Heights in recent years, creating hundreds of engineering jobs in the process.
Source: Steve Guitar, director of the Community Relations Department for the city of Sterling Heights and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation
Writer: Jon Zemke
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