Adam Loukus, founder and president of Loukus Technology in Calumet Township, is seen in the Feb. 12 photo. Loukus said his company’s expansion project will double its facility’s size. (Graham Jaehnig/Daily Mining Gazette)

CALUMET TOWNSHIP – On Wednesday, two locally owned high-tech businesses working in the defense industry received grants through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the state of Michigan.

One is Great Lakes Sound and Vibration (GLSV), in Franklin Township. The other is Luokus Technologies, located in Calumet Township. Both companies have reached a point at which they need to expand their facilities in order to meet contract obligations.

Luokus Technologies is a family-owned alloy manufacturing business that was founded in 2018. It is located near the old Centennial Number 6 Mine location.

The company specializes in advanced materials development and casting technologies for both the defense and energy sectors.

More specifically, Luokus Tech develops magnesium, aluminum and MMC alloys and performs process development in casting, extrusion and forging.

Adam Luokus, founder and president, said his alloy development company works with several groups, such as GSE (Ground Support Equipment, in Detroit), and with a number of Army research labs.

“We are an extension, a bit,” said Luokus, “of some of their research teams, with the ability to focus on those research and development projects into products. The company also works with the energy sector.

Luokus said his company does a lot of work in both defense and energy spaces.

“And really,” he added, “some of the products that go into fracking industry has really taken off with some of the materials developments that we’ve done.”

The expansion project will approximately double the size of the facility, he said, adding approximately 8,000 square feet and will create 48 high paying jobs.

Loukus said his company received a grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to assist with the expansion.

The $1.6 million in capital investment project is being supported by the Michigan Strategic Fund through a Michigan Business Development Program (MBDP) performance-based grant in the amount of $300,000. In addition to support from the Michigan Strategic fund (MSF), the Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance is assisting by working with the company and the Charter Township of Calumet to help coordinate a mutually beneficial agreement for use of the abandoned mine site where the expansion will take place.

The new facility, located next to the company’s existing site, will house its machining, finishing, packaging, and shipping operations.