Baker Aerospace to Invest $1.5 Million in Macomb, Add 20 Jobs in 2 Years

Receiving a nod of approval from the township Wednesday, a local tooling and machining company will continue its expansion in the aerospace industry by investing $1.5 million more in its Macomb Township facilities and adding some 20 jobs in the next two years.

Applying for an industrial facilities exemption certificate in September, Baker Aerospace Tooling & Machining, Inc. was approved for seven years under the township’s policy for tax abatement.

• One year for the investment in new equipment, machinery, etc.
• Six years for the creation of 20 new jobs as a direct result of the installation of the new equipment and machinery.

However, receipt of this certificate does not mean Baker is exempt from all taxes.

“It reduces the amount of tax,” said Jim Ahee, senior economic development specialist for Macomb County. “They pay 50 percent of tax liability off the new investment, which means new revenues for the township as well.”

For Ahee, this is a “win-win” for the township, with Macomb receiving new tax revenue and the benefit of added industry and jobs in its own backyard.

“The way they are growing, anything we can do to help them is going to help them and the whole economy of the township and Southeast Michigan,” Ahee said.

Baker, which has almost tripled its workforce in the past three years, plans to invest $1.5 million in a new 42,000-square-foot building in their industrial park and another $1.4 million in their existing facility.

With the addition of more than a million dollars in new machinery, equipment, furniture and fixtures, Baker plans to add 20 jobs to its current 89-person workforce within two years of installation.

“In 2009, we were on the ropes, but through reinvestment, we’re turning the whole company around and landing entire build projects, so we’re not just doing one section of tooling, we’re actually do whole thing,” said co-owner Scott Baker. “We’re bringing typically out-of-state work here.”

In congratulating Baker and his brother, Kevin, on their success, Trustee Dino Bucci had one final request.

“As you grow gentlemen, as a Macomb Township resident, please keep in mind that you try to employ as many Macomb Township residents as possible.”

Baker Aerospace Tooling & Machining is located in the south of 23 Mile Road, just west of Romeo Plank. Transitioning from automotive to aerospace, Baker deals in both defense and commercial work.