WESTLAND — The owner of a tool and die shop is changing his business strategy to stay afloat.
His next venture? Marijuana.
“Times change,” said Gregory Raymond, owner of Ray Industries, which is currently known as R&A Tool and Engineering Co. “The zoning on my property has changed so we’re applying for this license to try and stay in business somehow. It’ll keep some of my people going and keep that building occupied.”
City council unanimously approved Raymond’s request to open a marijuana microbusiness in his current shop at 39127 Ford Road. A microbusiness license allows the owner to grow and process up to 150 marijuana plants at the same time and sell directly to the consumer.
“This business is a little different from the traditional dispensary,” Council President Pro Tem Andrea Rutkowski said. “This isn’t an additional full retail dispensary going into Ford Road. It’s a microbusiness, which is a different kind of business.”
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R&A Tool and Engineering Co. has been in Westland since 1968. Raymond said he’s seen a changing community and has needed to trim staffing over the years. He is planning a roughly $1 million investment into the new Ray Industries business and pledged to donate $500 to the Lighthouse Home Missions nearby on 34033 Palmer Road.
According to Raymond, Ray Industries will open in roughly three months while the tool and die business gradually ceases operations.
“We’ve had others come in front of us and there’s been a lot of empty promises,” Councilwoman Melissa Sampey said. “It’s good to see that you’re standing here and ready to invest in the community.”
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Contact reporter Shelby Tankersley at stankersle@hometownlife.com or 248-305-0448. Follow her on Twitter @shelby_tankk.
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