LG Energy Solution Begins Battery Production
LG Energy Solution has begun production at a new 226-acre battery plant in Delta Township that will make cells for energy storage systems and electric vehicles.
The company said it has invested more than $2 billion in the plant since 2022. The site employs about 900 people and is expected to have 1,700 workers when it reaches full production.
LG said the facility will make lithium-iron-phosphate cells for utility-scale and commercial energy storage systems, as well as nickel-manganese-cobalt cells for Toyota electric vehicles.
Toyota plans to use the Lansing-made cells in vehicles including the 2027 Toyota Highlander EV.
Detroit-based DTE Energy is among the utilities expected to use batteries made at the Lansing-area facility in future energy storage projects, LG said.
New Detroit-Windsor Bridge Opens
The Gordie Howe International Bridge opened to traffic July 27, creating the first new international bridge between Michigan and Canada in more than 60 years.
The six-lane span links Interstate 75 in Michigan with Ontario’s Highway 401, providing a new route through one of North America’s busiest trade corridors. About $300 billion in goods moves annually between the United States and Canada along the corridor.
The project took nearly 25 years to plan and build. Construction began in October 2018, and nearly 16,000 workers logged more than 20 million hours on the project.
East Lansing Approves 12-Story Tower
The East Lansing City Council approved a 12-story downtown apartment project while rejecting another proposed high-rise nearby over concerns about parking, traffic and compatibility with surrounding businesses.
The unanimously approved project, called The Howard, would replace the Student Book Store and other businesses in the 400 block of Grand River Avenue. Plans call for 296 studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments housing up to 748 residents. Rents are expected to range from $1,200 to $2,200 per bed. The building would also include two restaurant spaces, a terrace, lounge, library and leasing office. Construction is expected to finish in July 2028.
In a separate 4-1 vote, the council denied Tareen Development Partners’ proposed 10-story, 205-unit building at 530 Albert Ave., now the Bailey Street surface parking lot. Business owners said losing the lot would hurt customers who need nearby parking.
Local Spending Shift Could Boost Economy
Redirecting 10% of Michigan residents’ remote purchases to in-state retailers could create more than 14,000 jobs and add $1.1 billion in value to the state economy, according to a study released by the Michigan Retailers Association.
The annual Buy Nearby Economic Impact Study, conducted with Public Sector Consultants, estimates Michigan consumers made $33.4 billion in remote purchases in 2025.
The group’s Buy Nearby Weekend is scheduled for Oct. 2-4. Participating retailers are expected to offer sales and events.
MassTimber@MSU Wins Support
Michigan State University’s MassTimber@MSU program will lead the next phase of a multistate effort to expand mass timber construction, manufacturing and forest-related wood markets across the Great Lakes region.
The work is supported by a $600,000 U.S. Forest Service Wood Innovations Grant and funding from the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities.
MassTimber@MSU founded the collaborative in 2024. It includes leaders from Michigan and seven other states: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York.
Fraud Prevention Group Formed
Dart Bank, law enforcement agencies and AARP Michigan have formed a task force aimed at helping mid-Michigan residents recognize, prevent and report fraud.
The Fraud Prevention Task Force includes the Ingham County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Lansing Police Department, FOX 47 and AARP Michigan. The group will focus on residents in Ingham and Jackson counties through social media, public service announcements and other public education efforts.
The launch comes as fraud-related losses continue to mount. Michigan residents reported more than $381 million in losses in 2025, according to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center report.
“Fraud can come from anywhere, and unfortunately, scammers are always finding new ways to deceive people,” Michelle Carpenter, Dart Bank’s senior vice president and senior treasury management and retail officer.
Land Banks Credited with Billions in Gains
Michigan land banks have generated more than $4.5 billion in community benefits and helped prevent at least 45,000 property vacancies during the past two decades, according to a report released by the Michigan State Land Bank Authority and Michigan Land Bank Association.
The study estimated land banks reduced the statewide number of vacant properties by 27%. It also found the organizations produced more than $11 in local benefits for every $1 in direct funding. The report said rehabilitating vacant structures generally costs less than half as much as new construction.
Michigan has 57 land banks operating in more than two-thirds of its counties.
State Room Earns Honor for 21st Year
The State Room Restaurant at Michigan State University’s Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center has received Wine Spectator’s 2026 Best of Award of Excellence for the 21st consecutive year.
The award recognizes restaurants with wine programs that show broad representation across wine regions or deep selections from leading producers, along with strong presentation. State Room said its list includes nearly 900 bottles.
If you have a story you’d like to be included in the 517 Business Briefs, email 517businessnews@news10lansing.com.
