ROMULUS, MI-The state has approved a 15-year, 75.26- acreRenaissance Zone in the city that will be home to A123 Systems’lithium-ion battery manufacturing facility. The Watertown, MA-basedcompany will lease 300,000 square feet in an existing property forthe company’s North American coating operations. The project isexpected to create up to 370 jobs and generate $131 million inprivate investment.

“We’re well on our way to becoming the advanced battery capitalof North America and a global center for clean energymanufacturing,” said Gov. Jennifer Granholm in a statement. “Cleanenergy companies are choosing to do business in Michigan because ofour competitive business climate, tremendous workforce andcomprehensive economic development programs.”

A Renaissance Zone allows a company operating within the zone tooperate free of virtually all state and local taxes over the lifeof the designation. The state program program is administered bythe Michigan Economic Development Corp. This deal was arranged withthe owners of the property: Welsh Romulus LLC, BPE Exchange LLC,BPW Exchange LLC and Welsh Romulus Development LLC.