Father's Day Special - (MP3- 3MB)

Granholm Pitches Michigan's High-Tech Capabilities to Enhance Homeland Security, Defense to Create Jobs Granholm Celebrates Grand Opening of KOSTAL Group Facilities Granholm Visits Growing High-Tech Company Gentex Corporation in Zeeland

I was in Washington, DC last week and met with officials at the U.S. Department of Defense where I talked about how Michigan businesses can help the federal government find defense solutions that leverage technology and create jobs for Michigan citizens. Our state's research capability, coupled with our manufacturing capacity, make Michigan the perfect choice when the federal government is looking for innovative new technologies and the companies to manufacture those products.

I met with Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England and General James E. Cartwright, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and General Lott, who heads the Michigan Economic Development Corporation Defense Contract Coordination Center (DC3) – the first center of its kind in the country. It was designed to help diversify Michigan's economy through defense and homeland security contracting.

Michigan has been aggressive in its efforts to attract and grow jobs in the homeland security and defense sector. Michigan's 21st Century Jobs Fund, administered by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, is funding research and commercialization of breakthroughs in advanced manufacturing, alternative energy and other high-tech industries, including Defense and Homeland Security.

Michigan businesses currently generate more than $4 billion in defense and homeland security contracts each year. In recent months, General Dynamics Land Systems and BAE Systems, both in Sterling Heights, announced expansion plans that will create more than 1,600 and 1,000 new jobs, respectively. Other notable Michigan defense contractors include GE Aviation, formerly Smiths Aerospace, near Grand Rapids; Sensicore, Ann Arbor; American Systems Technology, Troy; Patriot Antenna, Albion; Veridian, Ypsilanti; Burtek, Chesterfield Twp.; Solidica and Evigia Systems, both of Ann Arbor.

I also met with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) where I advocated on behalf of two critical economic issues for citizens – the extension of unemployment benefits for workers who have exhausted their current benefits and the restoration of law enforcement funding cuts.

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