September 8, 2006

Governor working to bring jobs to Michigan

LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm’s fight to make the Toyota Technical Center USA expansion in Washtenaw County a reality was celebrated today as the company broke ground for its new state-of-the-art research and development facility and safety test facility in York Township.  The project is expected to create more than 670 Michigan jobs, including 400 directly by the company, and anchor future investment and jobs in the state.

“The Toyota Technical Center represents a win for Michigan and our workers, and exemplifies the kind of jobs I want to continue to work to bring to our state,” Granholm said at today’s groundbreaking ceremony.  “I have the most comprehensive economic plan in the nation for attracting new jobs and diversifying our economy.  Our reputation as an automotive powerhouse brought Toyota here, and we will continue to attract R&D and advanced manufacturing jobs based in the auto industry here because of our global leadership in automotive technology.”

Granholm’s administration put together an incentive package valued at more than $38.9 million to bring Toyota Technical Center’s new R&D facility to Michigan.  The governor also worked with the state Legislature to convey more than 600 acres of state land to bring the automaker’s investment and jobs to Michigan. 

When the sale of the state-owned property was challenged (DPG York, LLC v State of Michigan), Granholm took the rare and exceptional step of asking the Michigan Supreme Court to expedite the resolution of the lawsuit.  The Court issued its final decision earlier this year, authorizing the property sale and allowing this important economic development project to move forward.