Zeeland approves $23 million tax breaks for Gentex, Mead Johnson Nutritionals that will add 25 jobs
By GR Press
September 21, 2009, 10:02PM

On Monday night, the City Council granted 12-year, 50 percent tax abatements on a $15.1 million investment for Gentex Corp.

Zeeland-based Gentex plans to add at least 25 new jobs to its work force next year.

Gentex's investment is at three plants in the city.

The largest is the largest $9.5 million in new machinery and equipment at 600 N. Centennial St.

The investment is for production of Gentex's base product of automatic-dimming rearview mirrors along with the company's emerging products, including the SmartBeam system that automatically reduces high-beam headlights when oncoming vehicles approach, and its rear camera display mirror that helps drivers see objects behind them while backing out.

"They're very popular features," Steve Dykman, vice president of finance for Gentex, said of the new products. "It's going to drive a lot of the growth we're going to experience for the next few years."

The company also plans to invest $3.425 million into its facility at 675 N. State St. and $2.175 million into its 58 E. Riley St. plant, he said.

Gentex employs 2,128 of its 2,200 employees in Zeeland, company officials said.