May 16, 2006

Whirlpool Chooses Michigan for Integration of Maytag Administrative Offices; Manufacturer Chooses Michigan for Consolidation

LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced two company expansions and a brownfield redevelopment project which are expected to create or retain 3,060 jobs and generate more than $255 million in private investment in communities throughout Michigan. The expansions and redevelopment are a result of assistance provided by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
 
“Michigan has the most aggressive economic plan of any state to attract new investment and grow new jobs,” Granholm said. “These projects demonstrate that our plan is producing tremendous results for families and communities throughout the state.”
 
The three projects announced today:

• Comau Pico Inc. plans to consolidate 13 of its Metro Detroit operations into a new, four-building North American headquarters and manufacturing campus in Plymouth Township. DeMattia Group will develop the $100 million-plus site which will be leased to Comau Pico in a long term agreement. The project will create 197 new jobs, including 120 directly by the company and retain approximately 1,360 jobs. A tax credit valued at more than $7.6 million helped convince the company to choose Michigan instead of a site in another state. Plymouth Township has approved a 12-year tax abatement valued at $8.6 million to support the project.

• Toyota Technical Center LLC will use a brownfield Single Business Tax credit worth $5 million to demolish existing buildings and prepare the former site of the Ypsilanti Psychiatric Hospital for its new, state-of-the-art research and development facility in York Township. The project is expected to involve $150 million in capitol investment and create more than 670 jobs in the state.

• Whirlpool Technologies LLC will invest $5 million to consolidate its headquarters in the Benton Harbor-St. Joseph area after its recent acquisition of Maytag. A tax credit valued at more than $10.4 million over 13 years helped win the company’s investment over other out-of-state sites. The move is expected to create up to 833 new jobs, including 400 added directly by the company. The consolidation also paves the way for the potential of up to 150 additional jobs in Michigan.

“Michigan’s world-class economic development programs combined with a world class workforce and strong community partnerships put our state in a great position to continue landing investment and jobs from the world’s most innovative companies,” MEDC President and CEO James C. Epolito said.
 
In her 2006 State of the State address, Granholm emphasized the importance of making Michigan a global economic powerhouse in the 21st century. Since January 2005, the Governor and the MEDC have announced the creation or retention of more than 85,000 jobs as a result of targeted assistance provided by the MEDC.
 
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation, a partnership between the state and local communities, promotes smart economic growth by developing strategies and providing services to create and retain good jobs and a high quality of life. For more information on the MEDC’s initiatives and programs, visit the Web site at www.michigan.org.

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