August 24, 2005

LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today applauded the Base Realignment and Closing (BRAC) Commission on its decision to accept Department of Defense recommendations to consolidate military procurement operations at the Detroit Arsenal in Warren.  The decision will add as many as 1,100 new civilian jobs at the Warren facility. 

“I’m thrilled that the BRAC Commission has seen the wisdom of bringing nearly 1,100 new high-paying jobs to Macomb County,” said Granholm.  “The jobs that are coming to Warren are precisely the kinds of jobs we need to transform Michigan’s economy – they’re high-tech and high paying.  These jobs will help make Michigan the nation’s center for automotive research, design and technology.”

In April 2004 Granholm created a Michigan task force on military facilities to encourage the Department of Defense to maintain and expand its military installations in Michigan.  In March of 2005, Granholm traveled to Washington, D.C. to advocate on Michigan’s behalf before the Department of Defense.  Recently, she encouraged Anthony Principi, Chairman of the BRAC Commission, to accept the Department’s recommendation. 

The 1,100 new jobs at Detroit Arsenal will come from facilities in other parts of the country, including Illinois and Alabama.

The Governor also worked closely with U.S. Senator Carl Levin, U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow and Congressman Sandy Levin to be sure that the recommendations were accepted.  She applauded their work today.

“This was an extraordinary team effort on the part of our Senators and Congressman Levin” said Granholm, “they worked tirelessly on this issue and their work has paid off in the form of jobs.”