Business Expansion in Flint to Create 24 Manufacturing Jobs, Generate $8 Million Capital Investment

FLINT, Mich. – July 8, 2022

The City of Flint is proud to announce a recent investment between the State of Michigan and Flint-based Island Plastics will generate 24 manufacturing jobs along with an $8 million investment in Flint. The company’s expansion, announced Thursday by Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, is being supported by the Michigan Strategic Fund.

Island Plastics, LLC is a subsidiary of Flint-based ACI Plastics, Inc., is a  post-industrial plastics recycler. The company will recycle post-consumer low-density polyethylene (LDPE) material. ACI plans to invest into an existing facility in the city of Flint to construct a state-of-the-art system where it will recycle post-consumer LDPE material for resale to various industries including energy, automotive and consumer goods. The company anticipates processing 25 million pounds of waste per year through the reuse of this plastic.

“The City of Flint is excited to see this expansion take place. Flint is open for business, and we hope opportunities like this encourage other businesses to come to Flint and keep their operations here,” said Samantha Fountain, Flint Economic Development Director. The City of Flint has provided a dedicated concierge services package with an estimate value of $11,059 as the company establishes its presence and future investment in Flint and elsewhere in Michigan.

“This investment by Island Plastics will create 24 good-paying manufacturing jobs in Flint and prove our dedication to attracting and growing businesses that create opportunity and demonstrate a commitment to sustainable practices that ensure long-term economic growth,” said Governor Whitmer. Michigan was chosen over a site in Ohio for the project, which is supported by a $150,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant.

Thursday’s announcement builds on other recent Michigan Strategic Fund support for Flint-area projects, including a July 2021 announcement by Governor Whitmer that a new co-op urban grocery store will soon be coming to the north side of Flint with support from the Michigan Strategic Fund. Intended to provide much-needed, affordable, healthy food options to area residents, the project is expected to revitalize a long-vacant building and help address health issues in the documented “food desert” of North Flint.

Allegiant Airlines also announced in November the company would establish a new operational base at Flint Bishop International Airport, supported by a $200,000 Jobs Ready Michigan performance-based grant from the same fund. The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $77 million and create 88 high-wage jobs as it brings new business and economic activity to the region.

“Our city is sending the message that Flint not only welcomes investment within the business and neighborhood communities, but will work to ensure its growth and continued success, thereby making it clear that we are dedicated to continued prosperity,” said Mayor Sheldon Neeley. A total of 424 new jobs and generate a total private investment of $23 million with support from the Michigan Strategic Fund are expected with similar announcements of investment in Burton by Flint-based Northgate and by DAG Technology, Inc. in Grand Blanc Township. Area residents interested in careers with Island Plastics in the city of Flint should visit https://www.aciplastics.com/careers/.