October 20, 2006

LANSING - In her weekly radio address, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today said recent announcements, including one from earlier this week announcing eight company expansions , are a signal that Michigan's economic transformation is beginning to take hold.
 
"Employers are choosing Michigan because they know that we are committed to their success," Granholm said.  "We have a competitive business climate and the best workers in the world.  On a level playing field, no one can out-compete our Michigan workers."

On Tuesday, Granholm announced eight companies are growing and expanding in Michigan creating more than 2,600 new jobs in the state.  Granholm noted that some of the companies have chosen Michigan over other locations, including BASF Corporation, the international chemical and plastics company that is relocating its R&D, administrative, and manufacturing operations from Wisconsin to Wyandotte; American Litho, a subsidiary of Konica Minolta that is expanding its production facility and moving its headquarters from New York to the Grand Rapids area; and, Ryder Integrated Solutions that chose to expand operations in Novi over sites in Texas, India, and China.
 
Granholm also highlighted the state's work in diversifying our economy.  In September, 61 companies and projects received funding from the 21st Century Jobs Fund.  On Monday, the first round of the competition was expanded, adding another $35 million to fund another 24 companies in cutting-edge fields like alternative energy, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing.
 
Thanks to the 21st Century Jobs Fund, there are now 85 companies and entrepreneurs in communities across our state creating thousands of new jobs.

"From our $2 billion 21st Century Jobs Fund's investment in new technologies and new jobs to our $600 million in tax cuts for manufacturers to our world-class workforce, Michigan right now has got what it takes to attract new employers," Granholm said.  "This is our moment, and I am committed to going anywhere and doing anything to continue to bring jobs to communities all across our great state."

The governor's weekly radio address is released each Friday morning and may be heard on broadcast stations across the state through an affiliation with the Michigan Association of Broadcasters.  The address will also be available on the Governor's website on Mondays as a podcast for general distribution to personal MP3 players and home computers.

Broadcasters Note: Governor Granholm's radio address can be accessed through Sunday evening exclusively through the Members Only page of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters website. 

Publishers Note: The text of today's address is attached.