By: Deborah Johnson Wood
The proposed new Sidock Building in downtown Muskegon could generate nine new jobs and leverage $2.6 million of private investment. The property at 379 W. Western is part of a Brownfield Redevelopment Zone. Last month, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority announced some $237,000 in tax capture for the project.
The two-story, 16,000-square-foot building broke ground August 29 as a mixed-used development that will accommodate retail and restaurant business on the 8,000-square-foot main level and Sidock Group's offices on the second floor. The building is one of the first new construction sites on the former Muskegon Mall property.
"We've been in a growth mode since early 2004, and have added nine people," says Bill Sidock, owner of the architectural and engineering firm. "We're looking to grow from 21 to 30 people over the next three to five years."
Sidock expects the jobs to be electrical and civil engineering positions.
The company moved to leased space in downtown Muskegon three years ago, and was in Norton Shores prior to that.
"We were looking for the right opportunity to build our own building, and the revitalization of Muskegon's downtown has created that opportunity," Sidock says. "There's more activity, more vibrant businesses. There's s general level of excitement with businesses coming in and doing more versus the gloom and doom of the past."
Sidock Group employs over 70 people at its Muskegon and Novi locations.
Source: Bill Sidock, Sidock Group; Michigan Economic Development Corporation
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Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth. She can be contacted at [email protected].
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