A Michigan Economic Development Corp. incentive package helpedconvince Tower Automotive Inc. to expand its existing technicalcenter in the county. This project will create 236 jobs, 125directly by the company. Tower Automotive chose Oakland overanother Midwestern city for the expansion. The Michigan EconomicGrowth Authority board approved a Single Business Tax credit forTower Automotive valued at $5.3 million during the next 10 years.Tower Automotive produces a broad range of assemblies and modulesfor vehicle structures and suspension systems for originalequipment manufacturers of automobiles and light trucks.

The company Sequoia NET.com has decided to locate its newcomputer network and applications development center in AuburnHills. An MEDC incentive package, including a $1.7 million taxcredit, helped convince the company to consolidate operations inthe city rather than dispersing its growth into various locationsacross the United States. This project will create 311 jobs, 225directly by the company. Sequoia provides computer networkinfrastructure services and Web-based applications development.

Vastera Solution Services Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary ofVastera Inc., has chosen Southfield for their new expansion. AnMEDC incentive package helped convince the company to expand inSouthfield rather than Longmont, CO. This project will create 233jobs, 150 directly by the company. The MEGA board today approved ahigh-tech SBT credit for Vastera Solution Services Corp. valued at$1.29 million during the next five years. Vastera Solution ServicesCorp. is a managed services division of Vastera Inc., a provider ofWeb-based software products and services that facilitateinternational buying and selling of goods through streamlining andoptimizing global trade processes.