WHITEHALL, MI - Already Muskegon County's largest industrial employer, Arconic Inc. plans to add jobs and invest locally.

The company plans to invest in high-tech machinery and equipment at its facilities in Whitehall, a project that is expected to generate investment of up to $10 million and create 38 jobs over the next several years.

Arconic was awarded a $400,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant from the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF). Michigan was chosen over competing sites in multiple states.

The city of Whitehall is waiving permitting fees in support of the project.

The investment comes as the company announced plans on Monday, Jan. 8, to freeze pensions for about 7,900 of its U.S. employees, effective April 1, 2018.

Arconic employs more than 2,200 people in Muskegon County, and is second only to Mercy Health Muskegon in overall employment.

"Arconic's expansion here rather than in another state means good jobs for Michigan residents and underscores the strength of the state's aerospace sector," said Jeff Mason, CEO of Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), the state's chief marketing and business attraction arm that administers programs and performs due diligence on behalf of the MSF.

Arconic's 155-acre Whitehall campus is one of the largest centers of operation for Arconic. There are hundreds of Arconic plants around the world, employing over 40,000 people.

The campus is located at 1 Misco Drive. It produces cast components for commercial passenger jet engines and military aircraft jet engines, among other products.

Arconic broke from Alcoa Inc., taking its new name and independent identity, on Nov. 1, 2016. The separation of Arconic from Alcoa was announced during September 2015.

Arconic consists of fast-growing units that supply components to the aerospace and automotive industries. It includes what was Alcoa Howmet-Whitehall, Alcoa Power and Propulsion, Alcoa Howmet Research Corp., Hot Isostatic Pressing, Ti-Cast and other units.

During 2014 and 2015, Alcoa invested nearly $40 million in what is now Arconic's Whitehall facilities, adding aerospace manufacturing capacity and jobs.

Arconic's tagline "Innovation, Engineered," reflects the company's mission - to invent, develop and deliver products and solutions through precision engineering and advanced manufacturing, according to a press release from the company.

Arconic's power and propulsion unit, headquartered in Whitehall, was founded in 1951 as the Michigan Steel Casting Co. Later known as Howmet Corp. It was purchased by Alcoa in 2000.

Arconic's global investment casting research and development facility is located in the Operhall Center at 1500 S. Warner St. in Whitehall.