Advanced Technology Recycling (ATR), a woman-owned national electronics recycling and asset management company, moved its Grand Rapids operations into an industrial complex at 355 Cottage Grove on January 8, 2017. The new ATR facility is one of the properties associated with Amplify GR, a nonprofit formed to support holistic redevelopment of vacant commercial and industrial assets in the neighborhoods surrounding Boston Square and Cottage Grove business districts.

“This is the beginning of a new phase of growth,” said Brodie Ehresman, national business development manager for ATR. “The larger facility will allow us to convert our existing operation from a “spoke” to a hub,” and create even more jobs.”

ATR has immediate openings for general warehouse, class “C” drivers and entry-level technical positions that include a full benefit package, 401k and profit sharing. Higher paying jobs for Class A drivers, A+ Certified Technicians and sales positions will be added as the company implements the necessary infrastructure to support the hub’s operations and expands their B2B programs. ATR is working with the local Michigan Works office and Amplify GR to hire residents that live near to Cottage Grove and Boston Square neighborhoods.
“Residents of neighborhoods in southeast Grand Rapids have consistently named jobs as a top priority,” said Jon Ippel, executive director of Amplify GR. “Jobs that pay a fair wage, with benefits and profit sharing, are especially valuable to people who are looking for stable employment and decent working conditions.”

Planning is also underway for community wellness opportunities that include free recycling for schools and a special electronics recycling day for the 3500 households that make up the Amplify GR Cottage Grove neighborhood. “In Kent County, it often costs $40 to $50 to properly dispose of an old tube TV today,” said Ehresman. “ATR began offering free TV/CRT recycling to Michigan residents toward the end of 2015 and the wildly successful program is back by popular demand for 2018.” He said that by offering free curbside pickup of these heavy, hazardous, and unwanted sets on one designated day, ATR can help their new neighbors and at the same time make sure the metals and chemicals in old television components are handled safely. To learn more about this program, visit ATReCycle.com. Special event details will be posted at facebook.com/ATrecycleGR and facebook.com/AmplifyGR.

Formed in 1992 by Ken and Barbara Ehresman, ATR utilizes a proprietary cloud-based platform to track millions of customer assets coming and going throughout the US in real time. ATR also provides a wide range of compliant services to environmentally conscious customers that require certified destruction, asset management and end of life recycling services for education, health care, government, and Fortune 500 companies. The R2 Certified company holds a Guinness World Record for recycling the most consumer electronics during their annual One Million Pound Challenge held on Earth Day. ATR successfully diverted over 3 Million pounds of CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) TVs and other unwanted electronics from Michigan landfills in 2017. When computers, printers and flat panels were added to the free program, it became necessary to expand the operation from its previous location in Wyoming, MI. As

ATR shopped for its expansion site, John Oppenhuizen, a local First Companies realtor, suggested the property in the Amplify GR zone, which is operated by Rockford Construction in partnership with Amplify GR. “The property has six heated loading docks and over 25,000 square feet of premium warehouse space with plenty of room to grow”, said Bradford Mathis, community development director for Rockford Construction. He said the creation of new, sustainable jobs that help improve the community while protecting the environment made ATR a good fit for the property.

For more information, visit www.atrecycle.com.

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