Norton Shores Approves Tax Abatement for Local Manufacturer Expansion
Greater Muskegon Economic Development (GMED) is pleased to announce that the City of Norton Shores has approved a 12-year tax abatement for local manufacturer Seal Bond for their new 200,000 square foot production facility at 1251 East Mt. Garfield Rd. in Norton Shores. Seal Bond produces industrial adhesives, sealants and coatings for a variety of industries, including product assembly, construction, and raised access flooring. The company expects to begin operations at the new location sometime this summer.
Seal Bond President/General Manager Scott Carmichael said all of the company’s approximately 80 employees will move to the new facility. They also anticipate hiring an additional 20 employees over the next two years. “We have experienced significant growth due to the construction boom and our recent entry into new markets. As a result, we now find ourselves shoehorned in our current space,” he said. “Our new location gives us room to expand, and its proximity to US-31 is also more convenient for our employees, most of whom live in the Muskegon area. We believe this improved accessibility will also make it easier to attract new team members in the future.”
Norton Shores Mayor Gary Nelund added that the Seal Bond abatement was approved with a unanimous vote, and the City is excited to welcome them to the community. “We continue to see interest from businesses looking to relocate or expand because of Norton Shores’ property values and easy access to two major highways. Our city council is receptive to offering tax abatements, one of the few economic development tools still available to local municipalities, especially when we see a company like Seal Bond ready to make a significant investment in our community.”
Seal Bond will initially lease a portion of the new space to another area manufacturer in need of additional production capacity. However, Carmichael explained that the company’s long-term strategy is to occupy the entire space as they experience continued growth down the road. “We applaud Seal Bond for not only taking steps to address their current growth, but also taking into account where they want to be many years from now,” added GMED Director of Business Growth Morgan Carroll. “We hope other area businesses will follow their example and think long-range about their manufacturing capabilities, as well as how they want to be positioned to be able to attract the talent they’ll need to achieve their goals.”
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