February 22, 2008
Radio address lists projects expected to create more than 2,200 jobs
LANSING - In her weekly radio address, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today highlighted companies across the state who have announced that they are expanding or locating their operations here in Michigan, creating a total of 2,225 jobs.
"We have the most aggressive strategy of any state in the nation to grow our economy," Granholm said. "These companies could be investing anywhere in the nation or the world, but their investments here are proof that Michigan is a great place to grow businesses and jobs."
The governor said there is plenty of encouraging news in Michigan with signs that an economic transformation is starting.
"Michigan has got what it takes to create jobs and ensure the strength of our economy and the success of our people," Granholm said. "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. The address is available on the governor's Web site at ( www.michigan.gov/gov) for download, together with a clip of the quote above. The radio address is also available as a podcast on the Web site, as well as on iTunes and via RSS feed for general distribution to personal MP3 players and home computers. Links to the audio files and text of today's address follow.
GOVERNOR JENNIFER M. GRANHOLM
Radio Address - MEGAs
February 21, 2008
We've heard a lot about Michigan's economy being uniquely challenged due to the impact of globalization and the ongoing restructuring of our manufacturing sector.
But this week, there's been plenty of encouraging news in Michigan filled with signs that an economic transformation is starting.
With our assistance, companies across the state announced that they're expanding or locating their operations here in Michigan, creating a total of 2,225 jobs.
General Dynamics Land Systems - for instance - is expanding its operations in Sterling Heights and Shelby Township, creating 500 jobs in high-tech homeland security technology.
Kaiser Aluminum Corporation, a leading producer of fabricated aluminum products for aerospace and engineering applications, they're going to create 717 jobs with their plans to locate a new $80 million state-of-the-art facility in Comstock Township right near Kalamazoo.
Also in Kalamazoo, Fabri-Kal Corporation, a leader in the packaging market, they're going to create up to 160 new jobs over the next five years by expanding and relocating their current manufacturing operations to the former Mead Paper facility in that community.
In Wixom, Behr-Hella Thermocontrol, a leading manufacturer of climate control units for the auto industry, they're going to invest $7.9 million to establish a new manufacturing facility creating up to 159 new jobs. I met with Behr last August during my investment mission to Germany; I'm thrilled to see them bring more jobs to Michigan.
The Dow Chemical Company plans to invest $50 million in a new solar energy initiative.
W. K. Kellogg Institute for Food & Nutrition Research will expand its operations in Battle Creek, and Stratus Properties is creating jobs by renovating and expanding residential space in Grand Rapids' Heritage Hill district.
All of those companies could be building solar panels or climate control systems or creating high-end condos anywhere in the nation, or the world for that matter. But their investments here are proof that Michigan is a great place to grow businesses and jobs. We have the most aggressive strategy of any state in the nation to grow our economy.
From our $2 billion 21st Century Jobs Fund, to the new Michigan Business Tax that encourages job creation in Michigan, to our world-class workforce, to new tax credits for job creators and tools to create access to capital for entrepreneurs, Michigan has got what it takes to create jobs and ensure the strength of our economy - and the success of our people - in the future. I am committed to going anywhere and doing anything to continue to bring jobs to communities all across our great state, and I look forward to telling you more great job creation stories like these in the very near future.
Thank you for listening.
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