-WEXFORD COUNTY
The city of Cadillac in Wexford County will be seeing an increase in its workforce this year.
Avon Protection Systems incorporated will be expanding production of gas masks for the military and first responders.
The company already has a facility in Cadillac and now will be bringing additional manufacturing lines as well as building another facility in the area.
The project will create over 140 jobs.
"With respect to the additional jobs I think it's certainly going to be helpful. Cadillac as well as other communities across the state and the country certainly have people looking for work and this is going to provide yet another opportunity for folks to gain gainful employment" said Cadillac City Manager Marcus Pecia.
The expansion of Avon is part of a development project by the Michigan Economic Growth Authority.
The authority approved tax incentives for nine companies to expand and locate in Michigan.
It says the overall project will create and retain over 1,200 new jobs.