The building will allow Bosch to consolidate workers from several rented locations to a company-owned technical center and provide room for further expansion.
A Single Business Tax credit valued at $20.8 million over 17 years helped convince Bosch to build in Michigan.
Bosch's commitment is the latest in a growing cadre of automotive-related technology companies that are locating to or expanding in Michigan. They come here to be close to the state's auto manufacturers and to tap into an abundance of skilled professionals produced by the state's engineering schools and employed at automakers and suppliers.
"Michigan continues to provide an ideal location for Bosch's operations, offering a close proximity to customers and an atmosphere that fosters growth for the future," Kurt Liedtke, chairman, president and CEO of Robert Bosch Corp., said at the groundbreaking.
"R&D is the sweet spot of what we're trying to grow, attract and retain in Michigan," said James Epolito, CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corp., which recruits companies to Michigan and retains and supports the ones that are here. "We have to work from our strengths, and automotive clearly is one of our strengths."
Among the technologies that are expected to be engineered at the tech center:
Occupancy sensors for air bags.
Adaptive cruise control.
Predictive safety systems such as lane-departure sensors.
Other driver-assistance technologies.
Stuttgart, Germany-based Bosch has had a presence in Michigan since 1918. Its North American automotive headquarters in Farmington Hills was established in 1983 and employs about 1,500 people.
Between the Farmington Hills facilities and the new tech center, Bosch said it could accommodate as many as 3,400 employees.
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