Northern Michigan plan for munitions facility in Grayling gets state commission approval
(FOX 2) - The commission that oversees Michigan's natural resources appeared ready to clear the way for the state to sell hundreds of acres of land up north to a company with plans to build a munitions facility.
Saab Inc. had already announced plans for a $75 million factory near Grayling, receiving the state's blessing in 2024. During last week's meeting, the director of the commission indicated he planned to approve the transfer of 350 acres of land currently managed by the Department of Natural Resources.
What we know:
The NRC met for their monthly meeting on Jan. 9, where director Scott Bowen said he would approve a $790,000 sale of land in Crawford County to Saab, a New York-based company and subsidiary of the former car manufacturer that specializes in military products.
The land, 350 acres of state-managed space in Graling Township, is located along the I-75 corridor north of Higgins Lake.
The company asked to buy the land to develop a munitions facility. Any money received from the transaction will be deposited in the Land Exchange Facilitation Fund.
Dubbed as a $75 million investment from the company, it will create 70-fulltime jobs.
The facility would be used for assembly of "shoulder fired munitions and precision fire systems," the NRC said.
The northern Michigan land that Saab wants to purchase for a munitions facility in Grayling Township.
What we don't know:
It's unclear when construction on the facility will begin. Saab says they expect the facility to open for operation in 2026.
It's also unclear how the Grayling Township Board of Trustees will vote. It must approve the land transaction before anything else can happen.
Big picture view:
The purchased land was previously identified as potential space for future commercial and industrial development that could "focus growth and create regional prosperity," according to a Memorandum of Understanding.
The munitions facility is Saab's first investment in the state and represents another victory for the governor, who has been working to secure more business ventures in Michigan.
"We are making a long-term commitment not only to the U.S. defense industrial base, but to the local community as well," said Erik Smith, CEO of Saab's U.S. subsidiary.
The Michigan Strategic Fund greenlit the project in late November. The MSF appropriates funding for large-scale economic projects in the state.
The project is not an expansion of Camp Grayling, the Michigan National Guard military training facility. However, Saab says it will partner with the military base for testing some of its products.
The company does not expect any "noticeable increase" in noise.