RAPID RIVER, Mich. (WZMQ) – Governor Gretchen Whitmer is continuing her Make it in Michigan tour around The UP with a stop in Rapid River. The Governor took a tour around Creative Composites facilities with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The group discussed expansions needed at the facility, and some possible applications for Creative Composites work.
“People would assume that this kind of high tech work has to be done in some of the biggest population centers,” Governor Whitmer said. “And yet it’s happening right here in Michigan. Michiganders are doing this cutting edge work and keeping our military safe.”
Creative Composites is a manufacturing company that designs structures using advanced composite materials like carbon fiber and Kevlar. The company’s CEO, Brad McPhee said that even though he’s been in the business for almost 30 years, demand is starting to increase for composite material parts. He said sometimes metal is the best material for the job, but composites can be cheaper, lighter, and easier to produce.
Governor Whitmer visited the facility to learn about some expansions needed, and the possible applications Creative Composites work could have for Michigan’s defense manufacturing industry.
“When we talk about the composite material that they are processing here,” Governor Whitmer said. “This is Kevlar, this is the stuff that keeps the men and women who serve our country safe.”
McPhee also discussed the advantages of an expansion to the current 13,000 square foot facility. The proposal would double the size of the facility and add a large freezer for material storage that would increase production capacity.
“We can point to things in mobility and aerospace, applications for the military.” Governor Whitmer said. “There’s no limit other than space at this moment, and that’s why this expansion is going to be really important.”
During her tour of The UP, Governor Whitmer has been emphasizing her support for small businesses. She says the goal of the tour is to make sure businesses in rural towns have what they need to grow so they can be successful.
“Raising a family here in The UP has been more and more difficult.” McPhee said. “That is actually one of the goals I started the company for, was to provide a place for people to work where they could raise a family and retire from.”
The Governor said businesses like Creative Composites are important to her goal of creating more jobs, to keep Michiganders in the state.
You can read more about Creative Composites here: creativecompositesinc.com
