STURGIS – Two big names in the RV Industry will be constructing new facilities in the City of Sturgis.

On Monday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that economic development grants have been approved for Cruiser RV and Heartland RV. The two projects are expected to generate a total private investment of $35.9 million and create 450 new jobs. The new Heartland facility will be constructed in the Dresser Industrial Park along South Nottawa Road and Bogen Road. The Cruiser RV building will be in the Stapleton Industrial Park, which is along North Centreville Road and Haynes Boulevard.

During an interview Monday with WBET, Sturgis City Manager Mike Hughes says with projects of this magnitude, it's very common to have incentives proposed. Both the State of Michigan and the City are contributing financially towards bringing Heartland and Cruiser to Sturgis. Sturgis is offering property tax abatements in support of these projects. The $165,458 from the City will be used for rebuilding roads in the area and reworking the drainage. The State is contributing $700,000 in Michigan Business Development Program performance based grants. The Heartland expansion is also being supported by a $307,277 State Transportation Economic Development Fund grant to help with infrastructure improvements.

Chad Carey of Heartland RV says they are still in the preliminary stages with the building projects. He says it could be up to three years, depending on contractors and permits, before the projects are completed. Carey says in a best case scenario, the new buildings would be finished by the summer of 2022. Heartland RV, LLC, a subsidiary of THOR Industries since 2010, manufactures travel trailers, toy haulers and fifth wheel recreational vehicles. They are based in Elkhart. Cruiser RV, LLC, a subsidiary of Heartland RV since 2015, manufactures a variety of lightweight towable recreational vehicles, including travel trailers, fifth wheels and toy haulers. They are based in Howe.