Whirlpool Corp. announced that the company plans to relocate refrigeration research and development operations from Evansville, Ind., to a former Whirlpool manufacturing facility in the city of Benton Harbor. The company plans to invest $18.9 million and create 180 jobs, resulting in a $2.4 million Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant.

Michigan was chosen over competing sites in Iowa and Mexico. The city of Benton Harbor is offering 12-year tax abatements valued at $1.85 million.