SECOND CHANCE CELEBRATES THE RE-OPENING OF ITS MICHIGAN PLANT, TRANSITIONS 47 PART-TIME EMPLOYEES TO FULL TIME

More than 100 people attended Second Chance Armor, Inc.'s re-opening and ribbon-cutting celebration at its Central Lake, Mich. production facility on May 4.

During the two-hour event, Glenn Katz, vice president and general manager, heralded his company's decision to transition 47 previously temporary and part-time employees to full-time status with benefits and welcomed guests to tour the facility.

Speaking to more than 80 employees and several invited guests and media, Katz praised the Michigan Economic Development Commission (MEDC), which recently agreed to provide tax incentives that allowed Second Chance to invest more than $1 million to expand operations at the facility. The facility had been closed by former management while it struggled through bankruptcy.

"I'm proud of our employees for their hard work and dedication to this company and I'm thrilled about the tremendous economic opportunities that lie ahead for Second Chance and our community," Katz said. "We're extremely grateful for the strong support of our state and local leaders."

As a direct result of the tax credit, the company is expected to create a total of 160 new jobs over several years and generate more than $50 million in personal income for Michigan workers.

Approximately 25 people attended the optional facility tour that started the celebration, which demonstrated to employees, invited guests and media the various functions and manufacturing capabilities of the Central Lake plant. A catered lunch from The Blue Pelican was served after the facility tour and was followed by Katz' keynote address.

Plant Manager Vickie Dawson also spoke at the event, as well as Larry Eckhardt, president of Central Lake Village. MEDC Account Manager Lydia Murray spoke and represented the organization at the event. Other prominent community members in attendance included Stan Bean, supervisor of Central Lake Township; Terry Johnson, Antrim County sheriff; Bob Clark, Central Lake police officer; and several members of the Central Lake Board of Directors. Several media outlets attended the celebration as well, including WPBN Channels 7 & 4 News, WWTV Channels 9 & 10 News, the Antrim County News and the Bellaire Review.

At the event, each employee received as a gift a Second Chance shirt to show their company pride.