Business

A business founded in Sturgis nine years ago is moving its operations to LaGrange County, Ind. Lake Area Designs, which manufactures wood furniture and custom moulding for the recreational-vehicle industry, was awarded a tax abatement earlier this week by officials from the town of LaGrange. Lake Area Designs is expected to invest $1.5 million to lease and renovate a 24,000-square-foot …

A White Pigeon man who failed to stop for a red light on U.S. 131 in Lockport Township contributed to the cause of a three-vehicle accident last week. Michigan State Police said William Bradford was driving north on the highway when he struck a southbound car turning left onto North Main Street at 6:30 p.m. Friday. His vehicle struck the …

Officials from American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc. have announced a $100 million investment in its Three Rivers plant, which is expected to create 500 new jobs at the local site. The news comes on top of the addition of 300 new jobs the company said it added in Three Rivers last year. Company officials said the addition centers on …

Despite the snow and cold, an $18 million road project is slated to kick off today. The five-mile, Constantine U.S. 131 bypass is scheduled to begin with attention focusing on construction of a bridge over the St. Joseph River in Constantine Township, about a half mile west of the U.S. 131 bridge in the village of Constantine. Contractor Hardman Construction …

A spring completion date for the Three Rivers Menard’s home-improvement store appears to be on track. Construction officials said construction of the 215,000-square-foot business is on pace to open in April, as projected. The store is under construction on the south side of Broadway Road, just west of U.S. 131. Development started in July. The new Menard’s is expected to …

A 39-year-old Mendon woman suffered minor injuries in a one-vehicle accident shortly after midnight Thursday. The St Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said an eastbound vehicle on M-60 at Haas Road had lost control, run off the roadway and struck several small trees. Two passengers, one 66 years and the other 6 months of age, were uninjured. The driver was treated …

December’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County bucked a months-long trend and increased from November’s figure. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed St. Joseph County’s 7.6 percent December unemployment rate was a nine-tenths percent of an increase from November. Still, the December 2012 rate was 1.5 percent less than the same month …

A Sturgis man was arrested for fourth-offense driving under the influence after he was arrested over the weekend. Quentin Banks, 29, was also wanted on a felony child-support warrant and driving with a suspended license after he was pulled over at 2 a.m. Saturday. Officers noticed his vehicle did not have its headlights on and initiated the traffic stop at …

An 18-year-old Sturgis resident suffered minor injuries following a one-vehicle accident last week in Sherman Township. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said Brooke Fayette was driving west on Featherstone Road when she lost control of the vehicle on a slippery patch near Fair Road. Her vehicle left the roadway and drove down an embankment. The vehicle struck an embankment …

An automotive manufacturing plant in Mendon is planning a $5.1 million expansion, which is expected to create more than 90 new jobs over the next two years. Officials from Southfield-based International Automotive Components said a 30,000-square-foot addition to the west of the current plant will allow IAC to increase the volume of its production at the Mendon site. IAC spokesman …