Business

A Sturgis-based business was awarded a 12-year tax abatement this week by members of the city commission. Midwest Plastics Engineering Inc. on Wednesday was granted the abatement for an investment in new equipment. The addition will help retain 40 jobs at the facility and create 10 new positions, company officials said. It is investing more than $190,000 in four injection-mold …

Three Rivers Mayor Tom Lowry said he has been informed the municipality has received three grants. During last week’s city commission meeting, Lowry said the grants are in the combined amount of almost $7,500. The first, a $750 award from the Dr. Pepper/Snapple group, will be used for expenses related to clean-up projects during the city’s Community Pride Day coming …

Three Rivers Downtown Development Authority members expect to hear this week whether the agency is awarded a step up to a “Select” level in the Michigan Main Street community. A team of DDA and community members made a presentation before a panel of judges last week in Lansing as part of the process to earn the Select status. If chosen …

One person was injured Thursday after a roof collapsed at Omni Source Corporation, at 2160 S. Centerville Road, in Sturgis. Sturgis fire crews responded at the scene and found a 100-by-200-foot section of the main building had collapsed. Two employees were in the building at the time, and both escaped. One suffered minor injuries. Gas and power were shut off …

The city of Three Rivers has granted an Industrial Facilities Tax Exemption for W.E. Slitt Sheet and Co. During Tuesday’s meeting, the city commission agreed to the 12-year abatement for personal-property improvements in excess of $467,000. As a result, the Jefferson Street company expects to retain 28 jobs and create one new position. A company official said the majority of …

Three Rivers Health has announced its White Pigeon Family Care Center has opened. The Care Center, located at 601 E. Chicago Road, will be the site of an open house noon to 2 p.m. Saturday. Tours, an opportunity to meet personnel and a drawing for a HealthTRAC membership will be available. CEO William Russell said Three Rivers Health is pleased …

A state environmental official says initial tests haven’t found noxious chemicals in the air or water near a northern Indiana fiberglass factory that caught fire over the weekend. Firefighters continued monitoring the smoldering blaze at the Lami-Plast factory in Elkhart on Monday, a day after it went up in flames and some nearby homes were evacuated. A bulldozer was brought …

The Michigan Lottery is launching its first $30 instant game with top prizes of $2 million and more than $80 million in total prizes available for players. Tickets for the $2,000,000 Cash game go on sale Tuesday at Lottery retailers across the state. Each ticket will offer players 30 chances to win. The introduction of the $2,000,000 Cash game reflects …

The December unemployment rate in St. Joseph County increased by one-tenth of a percent compared to a month earlier. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed St. Joseph County’s 7.3 percent December unemployment rate was more than November’s 7.2 percent. December’s unemployment rate was three-tenths of a percent less than the same month …

A 39-year-old Sturgis man was charged with felony retail fraud and felon in possession of a firearm following his alleged role in a retail-theft incident earlier this month at the Three Rivers Walmart. The arrest was made in Sturgis Township in the 25000 block of U.S. 12. The St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit and the St. Joseph County Special …