If the exploratory becomes extraordinary, Michigan’s Great Southwest can brace for a more than $60-million investment from Whirlpool Corporation into a major new Global Technology Center in St. Joseph.
Whirlpool is currently exploring options to rebuild or renovate its Global Technology Center in St. Joseph, near the company’s Global and North American Headquarters in Benton Harbor. The new facility would replace much of the existing St. Joseph Technology Center, parts of which are more than 100 years old.
The Berrien County Brownfield Redevelopment Board heard news today that the property located at 387 Upton Drive in St. Joseph will be redeveloped at the Whirlpool Global Laundry & Dishwasher Technical Center research facility. The project would involve demolition of an existing 4-story, 120,000 square foot building on the south end of the property, and construction of a new 2-story, 153,000 square foot building attached to the northern wing of the facility and associated site adjustments and improvements.
The footprint of the demolished building will add additional parking to the site to replace some of the spaces lost on the north end of the site. The project investment would result in a sizable and long-term increase to the municipal tax base and result in redevelopment of a brownfield property in the heart of the city of St. Joe. It would create many temporary construction jobs, as well as retain the current 400 full-time Tech Center employees whose average individual compensation is $140,000 annually.
Berrien County Community Development Director Dan Fette says, “This is an important project for Berrien County and the region,” adding, “Having a strong Whirlpool presence here means excellent job opportunities and vibrant economic activity. We are working closely with representatives of Whirlpool Corporation on ways to partner in order to make this project a local reality. The city, county and state officials have been extremely supportive in our conversations about the significance of this major investment.” The plan was approved this afternoon by the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority and is under consideration by the City of St. Joseph.
President and CEO of the Cornerstone Alliance Rob Cleveland helped to develop his organization’s five-year strategic plan for economic development, and sees ties to that plan within this project, saying, “This is about jobs and supporting ongoing, healthy investments in our community.” Cleveland adds, “This project meets all of those criteria, and we are excited at the possibility of this proposal moving forward.”
Chairman of the Berrien County Board of Commissioners, Mac Elliott, is also supportive of the project, saying, “For 110 years Whirlpool has been an innovative driving force in our local economy. This proposed development is a continuation of the strong and valued partnership that Berrien County, the City of St. Joseph, along with Benton Harbor and Benton Charter Township and Whirlpool Corporation, have shared for a century, and signifies our ongoing commitment to help grow our economy.”
As the world’s leading kitchen and laundry appliance company, Whirlpool Corporation does business in almost every country around the world, with 57 manufacturing and technology research centers globally. Proposals for new construction at the existing St. Joseph site include a possible 150,000 sq. ft. of new construction with an investment of approximately $50 million.
Whirlpool Corporation VP of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Jeff Noel, notes, “In this, our 110th year of operation, we know it is necessary to modernize this facility to remain the leader in our industry,” and adds, “Competition in the home appliance industry is fierce, it’s global, and our talented people help our company take on new challenges we face every day. Ensuring we have world-class testing and product development labs will help us remain competitive and attract and retain highly qualified talent.”
Currently, Whirlpool Corporation employs upwards of 4,000 full-time employees and contractors in Southwest Michigan, nearly 400 of which are based at the St. Joseph Technical Center. The appliance manufacturer is seeking local and state support along with tax abatements in order to make the project a reality, as it competes internally for funding with other global priorities for the company.
St. Joseph Mayor Michael Garey sees the benefits of a new technology center in the city, telling us, “Whirlpool Corporation is a tremendously positive influence on our city. We want to continue to see St. Joseph move forward, and part of that means doing what we can to make our area attractive to further development.” The Mayor adds, “Whirlpool Corporation is a good community partner and reinvests back into our local community, either through philanthropic endeavors, or through expansion of its many facilities in the Twin Cities area.”
Under the proposed plan, Whirlpool would undertake renovation and new construction of the St. Joseph Tech Center through a multi-year, multi-phase project, beginning here in 2021 and concluding in 2023. Part of the plan includes creation of a residential, commercial, recreational and commerce area linking nearly 4,000 Whirlpool employees with St. Joseph, Benton Harbor and Benton Charter Township. With a substantial contingent of first-rate engineers, analysts, and other professional innovators, all of Whirlpool Corporation’s global product technology centers are located in Michigan’s Great Southwest.
The proposed project will go before the City of St. Joseph, Berrien County, and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation in the days ahead to gain final authorizations to proceed, after which the project would break ground this summer and the center be ready for occupancy in 2023.
