SMART Park

The Southwest Michigan Advanced Research & Technology (SMART) Park serves as a center for technology and industry nestled in rural Cassopolis, Michigan.

The SMART Park sits on roughly 400 acres adjacent to Midwest Energy & Communications (MEC), the founders of the park. MEC is an electric cooperative, fiber internet provider, and propane provider serving over 35,000 businesses and residents in rural southwest and southeast Michigan and portions of northern Indiana and northwest Ohio. MEC prides itself on its smart grid infrastructure and fiber communications.

A key player in its local community, the park is buoyed by its proximity to robust transportation, renowned industries, major universities, and metropolitan areas. Companies that locate here enjoy the opportunity to stand out and grow in an area on the cusp of green initiatives and advanced technologies.

CN Certified Rail Ready Site

The Park has been designated as a CN Certified Rail Ready Site, a certification only a handful of sites in the U.S. have earned. The certification provides direct access to CN Rail’s 20,000-mile network and reduces time from site selection to construction for partnering companies.

We’re connecting you to the world. Your new site will be strategically located adjacent to the Canadian National Railway (CN) double-track rail line that connects Chicago to Detroit — with truck access and facilitated rail connections between the east and west coasts, Canada, and Mexico.

Fiber Internet

Lightning-fast fiber optic technology for faster uploading and downloading of data intensive services. We have symmetrical packages up to 1 Gbps available, and custom solutions to meet your unique needs.

Telephone

Advanced telecommunication services with unlimited nationwide calling and international phone plans. Advanced options including additional lines, toll-free calling, SIP Trunking, and PRI replacement.

Data Center

Our on-site TIER II data center offers business continuity and disaster recovery solutions through critical systems infrastructure, rigorous incremental multi-tier security, and reliable cross-connects.

Power

MEC’s robust electric infrastructure includes 15 MW of capacity from Wolverine Power Cooperative, Michigan’s renewable energy leader. The newly constructed substation includes two 12 MVA transformers and can be easily expanded as additional power is needed.

Natural Gas

Local provider SEMCO Energy delivers natural gas at a 25 MCFH volume. Higher pressure and volumes are available immediately south of our location through either Vector Pipeline or ANR TransCanada Pipeline.

Water & Sewer

Water is served by an existing 12” water main from the Cassopolis Area Utility Authority and plans are in place to construct a 250,000-gallon water tower to guarantee ample system capacity. The initial capacity for wastewater and sewer services is 180,000 gallons per day with additional capacity available.

Current Occupants

NORSK HYDRO

Hydro is a leading industrial company that builds businesses and partnerships for a more sustainable future.

Hydro develops industries that matter to people and society. Since 1905, Hydro has turned natural resources into valuable products for people and businesses, creating a safe and secure workplace for our 31,000 employees in more than 140 locations and 40 countries.

Hydro is present in a broad range of market segments for aluminum, energy, metal recycling, renewables and batteries, offering a unique wealth of knowledge and competence to our customers and partners. Hydro is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange (ticker: NHY).

Hydro’s new state-of-the-art aluminum recycling plant in the Smart Park will open in 2023 with approximately 70 employees. When ramped up to full production, the plant will produce 120,000 metric tons of low-carbon aluminum extrusion ingot per year. The expected investment is USD 150 million.

Unique to Hydro, Hydro CIRCAL aluminum extrusion ingot contains at least 75% post-consumer scrap, certified by third-party auditors DNV GL, and has a market-leading CO2 footprint of just 2.3 kg CO2e/kg aluminum. With a growing focus on sustainably produced aluminum, a number of North American customers have expressed interest in Hydro CIRCAL.