GRAND RAPIDS, MI - eAgile Inc. announced it will embark on a $4.3 million expansion and create 50 new jobs over the next three years at its factory south of downtown Grand Rapids.

EAgile, which operates a plant at 1100 Hynes Avenue SW, makes radio frequency identification (RFID) labels, RFID tags, and intelligent RFID packaging solutions for healthcare, logistics and manufacturing applications.

The 13-year-old company was awarded a $300,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant on Wednesday, Aug. 9, by the Michigan Economic Development Corp.

"eAgile continues to run at full speed in Grand Rapids, so we are excited to expand here and continue to provide world-class products from our city, "said Chief Financial Officer Bob Vorpagel in a statement.

"The decision by eAgile to expand in Grand Rapids rather than other states demonstrates Michigan's business-friendly environment and talented workforce," said MEDC chief executive Jeff Mason.

"Our region's strong technology and manufacturing base, combined with the support from the MEDC made eAgile's decision to expand in Grand Rapids a perfect choice," said Eric Icard, senior business development manager at The Right Place.

"The city has rapidly become a technology hub, and we are thrilled that eAgile is joining the mix and growing its Grand Rapids roots," Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss said.

"This announcement is another great example of how city, state and economic development resources, such as The Right Place, can work together to create jobs in Grand Rapids."