The airplane maintenance and repair company is moving forward with its plans to lease a hangar at Battle Creek Airport. The company expects the expansion to create 50 new jobs over the next three years.

Duncan Aviation is the world’s largest privately owned business jet support facility. It was founded in 1956 and opened up a facility in Battle Creek in 1998.

The company did a major expansion in Battle Creek in 2005, but is now at capacity and has even had to turn away some projects, according to a press release from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

Leasing the Battle Creek Airport hanger will allow Duncan Aviation to increase the capacity of its Battle Creek operations. It’s possible that the company will purchase the hangar in the future, according to Battle Creek Unlimited president Joe Sobieralski.

The expansion is expected to bring an investment of more than $2.9 million alongside the new jobs.

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is providing Duncan Aviation with a $150,000 grant through the Michigan Business Development Program.

The company’s successful expansion “reflects Michigan’s growing economy and expanding job opportunities for our state’s talented and abundant workforce,” said Jeff Mason, CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, in a press release, adding that the project “will mean more jobs and greater economic opportunities for people in the state.”
Battle Creek Unlimited also is supporting the project with a $250,000 Battle Creek Tax Increment Financing Authority grant. The money is going toward making improvements to the hanger, Sobieralski said.
Hiring is expected to begin this year.

“Aviation jobs are kind of more technical in nature,” Sobieralski said. “It’s helping us grow our aerospace industry while providing some better paying jobs.”

Duncan Aviation did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Contact Natasha Blakely at (269) 223-0114 or nblakely@battlecreekenquirer.com.
Follow her on Twitter at @blakelynat.

Battle Creek, Mich. – Battle Creek Unlimited (BCU) is pleased to announce the addition of Shabaka Gibson as its newest Vice President.  Gibson’s work will encompass Retention, Expansion and Workforce.  He will work along with the rest of the BCU team as they continue with innovative solutions to generate jobs and investment in Battle Creek.

A former Southwest Michigan native and retired Army reservist, Gibson returns with over a decade of vast experience in business, policy and economic development from overseeing operations abroad to local municipal government as the Village Manager of Stevensville. Gibson has experience with strategy development for workforce development, STEM programs, small businesses development and investment management. Most recently, he served as the Senior Vice President at Ady Advantage.  During his tenure there, Gibson managed projects across the United States focused on research, strategy and marketing. He also worked with stakeholders, site selectors and businesses.  Prior to his experience with Ady, Gibson worked in Corporate Affairs with Exxon Mobil Corporation. This experience combined with his familiarity with our region and state makes the Bronze Star recipient an ideal addition to the team at BCU.

Gibson graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and the University of Chicago with a Master of Public Policy.  Gibson also has an Associates of Arts in Russian Language from the Defense Language Institute.

BCU is also delighted to announce Bridgette Jones will be transitioning into the role of Vice President of Operations. Please join us in welcoming Shabaka Gibson to Battle Creek and Battle Creek Unlimited and congratulating Bridgette Jones on her new role with Battle Creek Unlimited.

About Battle Creek Unlimited
Battle Creek Unlimited is a private, non-profit corporation which serves as the economic development organization for the City of Battle Creek.  Battle Creek Unlimited facilitates the generation of investment and job creation in our community.

Media Contacts:
Joe Sobieralski, BCU President & CEO
269-962-7526
###

Battle Creek, Mich. – Battle Creek Unlimited (BCU) is pleased to announce the addition of Adam Reid as its newest team member.  Reid will be Manager, Special Projects & BC CAL KAL Inland Port Development Corporation.  Over the next six and a half months, Reid will work closely with Jan Frantz as she transitions to full retirement from her role with BC CAL KAL and Foreign – Trade Zone 43.  BC CAL KAL is a nonprofit corporation which markets and administers Foreign-Trade Zone 43, serving a 14-county area including Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Clinton, Hillsdale, Ionia, Kalamazoo, Jackson, Ottawa, St. Joseph and Van Buren counties. Foreign-Trade Zone 43 provides means for U.S.-based operations to compete favorably with global businesses by reducing, delaying or altogether eliminating U.S. Customs duties.  Reid will work along with the rest of the BCU team as they continue with innovative solutions to generate jobs and investment in Battle Creek.

Reid is a graduate from Western Michigan University’s (WMU) Lee Honors College with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and Master of Business Administration from WMU’s Haworth College of Business.  Please join us in welcoming Adam Reid to Battle Creek and Battle Creek Unlimited.

About Battle Creek Unlimited
Battle Creek Unlimited is a private, non-profit corporation which serves as the economic development organization for the City of Battle Creek.  Battle Creek Unlimited facilitates generation of investments and job creation in our community.

Media Contacts:
Joe Sobieralski, BCU President & CEO
269-962-7526

Battle Creek, Mich. – Battle Creek Unlimited (BCU) is pleased to announce the addition of Robert Corder as its newest Vice President.  Corder’s work will encompass Attraction and Development.  He will work along with the rest of the BCU team as they continue with innovative solutions to generate jobs and investment in Battle Creek.

Corder has almost a decade of experience in economic development and foreign investment.  Most recently he served as the Business Development Project Coordinator at the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) based out of Chicago, Illinois.  During his tenure there, Corder successfully facilitated the market entry into Japan for more than 50 US companies.  Prior to his experience with JETRO, Corder was a compliance auditor.  This combined experience with his international economic development experience makes him an ideal addition to the team at BCU.

Corder graduated from American University with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations.  Please join us in welcoming Robert Corder to Battle Creek and Battle Creek Unlimited.

About Battle Creek Unlimited
Battle Creek Unlimited is a private, non-profit corporation which serves as the economic development organization for theCity of Battle Creek.  Battle Creek Unlimited facilitates generation of investments and job creation in our community.

Media Contacts:
Joe Sobieralski, BCU President & CEO
269-962-7526

Battle Creek, Mich. – The Battle Creek Unlimited (BCU) Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Joe Sobieralski as its next President and CEO. Sobieralski joined BCU in December of 2015, as Vice President and was appointed Interim President & CEO in July 2016.  “We feel Joe has done a great job during his tenure as Interim President & CEO, he has demonstrated many of the qualities that the Board seeks in a President & CEO,” said John Gallagher, BCU Board Chair. “We feel those qualities are imperative to move the organization forward, build a dynamic team and to raise the bar on our economic development activities in Battle Creek.”

“Joe brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Battle Creek and we have seen him in action over the past year and feel his energy and enthusiasm will help Battle Creek continue to be a global leader in the realm of economic development. His commitment to collaboration and partnership make him the ideal candidate to move BCU forward,” said Rebecca Fleury, City Manager for the City of Battle Creek.

Al Bobrofsky, Chair of the Battle Creek Tax Increment Finance Authority (BCTIFA), “The TIFA Board has had the pleasure of working with Joe for nearly a year and we are pleased to see his appointment.” “We look forward to working with the team at BCU under his leadership.”

“I am honored that the Board has given me the opportunity to lead BCU as it’s the next President & CEO. It’s exciting to have the opportunity to build upon decades of success and play a vital role on shaping the future direction of BCU,” said Joe Sobieralski, BCU President & CEO. “We have a lot of work ahead of us but I am confident that we are up to the challenge and will continue to cultivate economic development in Battle Creek by constructing a vibrant and energetic team and positioning our current dedicated staff to win.”

Sobieralski past economic development experience includes leadership positions with a variety of organizations and roles including Executive Director and City Manager.  Sobieralski has extensive experience working in Southwest Michigan, building public and private sector partnerships for the long-term benefit of the region.  Sobieralski holds a BA in Public Administration from Michigan State University and an MPA from Western Michigan University with a Local Government concentration. Sobieralski also earned credits in the leading industry designation for economic developers: Community Economic Development Certification (CEcD).

About Battle Creek Unlimited
Battle Creek Unlimited is a private, non-profit corporation which serves as the economic development organization for the City of Battle Creek.  Battle Creek Unlimited facilitates generation of investments and job creation in our community.

Media Contacts:
John Gallagher, BCU Board Chair
269-209-1564 jgallagher@GallagherUniform.com

Battle Creek, Mich. – Battle Creek Unlimited (BCU) is pleased to announce the hiring of Doug Voshell, past Vice President of BCU, as a consultant.  Mr. Voshell first joined BCU in August of 2008, as the Marketing Director.   In April of 2016, Mr. Voshell retired after almost eight years with BCU.  After four months of retirement, Mr. Voshell has fondly agreed to join back forces with BCU on an as needed basis working on Battle Creek Tax Increment Finance Authority (BCTIFA) special projects as a consultant.

The depth and breadth of Mr. Voshell’s knowledge and experience will allow the BCTIFA to continue moving forward in a positive manner.   BCTIFA is a key tool Battle Creek utilizes to remain competitive in economic development.  Mr. Voshell’s understanding and familiarity with BCTIFA positions Battle Creek as the place to be to develop, grow, and retain jobs.

About Battle Creek Unlimited
Battle Creek Unlimited is a private, non-profit corporation which serves as the economic development organization for the City of Battle Creek.  Battle Creek Unlimited facilitates generation of investments and job creation in our community.

Media Contacts:
Joe Sobieralski, BCU Interim President & CEO
269-962-7526