Michigan wins expansion over several other states, underscores the state’s strengths as a tech, life sciences hub
LANSING, MI – On April 11, Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) announced that Niowave, Inc., a global producer of medical isotopes, plans to expand in the city of Lansing, driving $20 million of investment and creating 35 good-paying jobs in the life sciences and tech industry.
“Niowave’s expansion in Lansing driving $20 million of investment and creating 35 good-paying jobs underscores our leadership in tech and life sciences and builds on our economic momentum,” said Governor Whitmer. “Michigan was chosen for this expansion over several other states because of our regional talent pool and the #1 nuclear physics program in the nation at Michigan State University, home to the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (F-RIB) that opened last year. Let’s keep competing to bring home good-paying, high-skill jobs that will build on our strengths and power our economy for decades to come.”
The project is supported by a $500,000 Jobs Ready Michigan Program performance-based grant. The company chose Michigan for the project over competing sites in California, Indiana, South Carolina, and Tennessee to take advantage of the regional talent pool that combines the advanced manufacturing heritage and the number one-rated nuclear physics program at Michigan State University.
Niowave, Inc. was established in 2005 as a spinoff from the National Superconducting Cyclotron Lab, the laboratory now known as Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB), which the MEDC supported in February 2014 and officially opened in May 2022. Niowave supplies medical and industrial radioisotopes produced from uranium and radium. Niowave is a global leader in research, development, manufacturing and operation of superconducting electron linear accelerators which are used for medical radioisotope production. Niowave is one of a handful of companies worldwide that can design, build, test and operate superconducting linear accelerators and their associated cryogenic refrigerators in their own facility.
In November 2013, the Michigan Strategic Fund awarded the company a Michigan Business Development Program repayable grant to support the construction of its new facility in Lansing, a project that at the time created 30 jobs and generated a total capital investment of $8.5 million. The company has met its requirements and is in good standing with the repayment.
Now 10 years later, Niowave plans to grow at its existing facility in Lansing near the Capital Region International Airport, where it will expand production of several medical radioisotopes used in diagnostic and therapeutic treatments. These isotopes enable the detection of life-threatening conditions such as cancer and heart disease for better patient outcomes. Niowave currently ships cancer treatments from its Lansing facilities, and the expansion will allow for higher production of these important medical radioisotopes.
“Niowave chose mid-Michigan as home nearly 20 years ago because of the unique combination of science and advanced manufacturing talent,” said Niowave President Mike Zamiara. “We made the right decision then and are excited to expand here now.”
The project will bring immediate, high-wage jobs in the tech and life sciences industries to the region and has the potential to make mid-Michigan an “isotope capital,” building on the work currently being done at the FRIB at Michigan State University. The project is within the Next Michigan Development Corporation, an intergovernmental agreement between the city of Lansing and DeWitt Township, with participation from Capital Region Airport Authority.
“Niowave’s continued growth in mid-Michigan underscores our state’s leadership in high tech and life sciences, as well as the strength of our business climate and talented workforce,” said MEDC Sr. Vice President of Regional Prosperity Matt McCauley.
“This project is a win for Lansing and for the entire state. We are grateful to Governor Whitmer, legislators from both parties, and local officials for their continued support for our programs that help make announcements like today’s possible. We appreciate the efforts of our local partners in supporting this project and look forward to partnering with Niowave as it continues to grow and add jobs for Michigan residents.”
The company is working with local officials and the Lansing Economic Area Partnership to identify possible support for the project, and Next Michigan Development Corporation is considering a PA-198 Industrial Facilities Tax Abatement. Niowave intends, pending key local, state and federal approvals that make the expansion possible, to proceed with the project later this year.
“Niowave is one of the great economic development stories of our region and country,” said Bob Trezise, president and CEO of LEAP.“Locally grown and now of international import, expanding again through the hard teamwork of so many local and state partners especially the MEDC, Clinton County, city of Lansing, Dewitt Township, the airport and of course our staff here at LEAP. We continue to believe that the Lansing region is the Particle Accelerator Capital of North America.”
“Lansing continues to focus on our future growth and Niowave’s investment in our community is another important step forward,” said Lansing Mayor Andy Schor. “Working with our partners at LEAP and Lansing’s Capital Region International Airport, we are going to continue to ensure that Lansing is ready for new opportunities, new investments, and new jobs for our residents.”
“Congratulations to Niowave on their continued commercial success and reinvestment in the Greater Lansing Region,” said DeWitt Township Supervisor Rick Galardi. “We are grateful and proud to have such cutting-edge innovation right here in our community. Regional collaboration continues to bring us prosperous economic opportunities, such as this one, and we look forward to continuing this momentum.”
Individuals interested in careers with Niowave should visit the career page on Niowave’s website.
