Highlights efforts to bring investment and jobs fromJapan, Sweden

LANSING - In her weekly radio address recorded from Japan, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today said her sixth overseas jobs and investment mission has been a success following meetings with nearly two dozen companies, including many who are seriously considering investments in Michigan for the first time.

"The turmoil in the economy that resulted in the collapse of Lehman Brothers, the sale of Merrill Lynch - and the bailout of insurance giant AIG - reinforced that we were prudent last year in redoubling our special efforts to keep Michigan's fiscal house in order," Granholm said. "It also reminded us we're part of a global economy.  What happens in one part of the world can have a dramatic impact on people half a world away, which makes investment missions like this one all the more important."

Among the companies Granholm met with in Japan were Nissan, Mazda, Eurus Energy, Mitsubishi Heavy Industry, Terumo Corporation, Toyota Motor Company and Tokyo Electric.  The Governor said all of those companies are interested in what we are doing to diversify our economy and create jobs in Michigan. Virtually everyone the Governor met with was passionate about the potential of renewable energy and new ways to power our vehicles. 

Granholm noted that just as she is working to strengthen Michigan's partnership with Japan so, too, is the state continuing to build on its relationship with Sweden, a world leader in alternative energy.  Next week, Michigan will proudly host His Majesty, King Carl Gustaf of Sweden. 

"From strengthening relationships in Japan to building relationships in Sweden, we are being aggressive in fighting for jobs in Michigan," Granholm said. "This year we have announced economic development projects that mean 40,000 jobs created or retained in Michigan and next week we hope to add more to this list when the Michigan Economic Growth Authority meets.  And there is no denying, final passage of the renewable energy package by state lawmakers this week will greatly enhance our job creation efforts, too."

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 vi2a 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 - Jobs Mission Update, MEGA's, King of Sweden preview

September 19, 2008

Full:  http://www.michigan.gov/documents/gov/Gov163_Full_250285_7.mp3

Edited:  http://www.michigan.gov/documents/gov/Gov163_Edit_250286_7.mp3

Quote:  http://www.michigan.gov/documents/gov/Gov163_Quote_250291_7.mp3

This is Governor Jennifer Granholm reporting to you from Japan, where I am completing my sixth overseas investment mission to bring jobs and investment back to Michigan.

As positive as this mission has been, this was certainly a difficult week to be so far from Michigan. 

The turmoil in the economy that resulted in the collapse of Lehman Brothers, the sale of Merrill Lynch - and the bailout of insurance giant AIG - all reinforced that we were prudent last year in redoubling our special efforts to keep Michigan's fiscal house in order.  It also reminded us we're part of a global economy -- what happens in one part of the world can have a dramatic impact on people half a world away  -- which makes investment missions like this one all the more important. 

While in Japan this week I have met with 23 companies doing business in alternative energy, advanced automotive manufacturing and life sciences.    We discussed some very exciting projects including lithium ion batteries -- electric vehicle platforms -- wind turbine manufacturing and wind farms.  Virtually everyone we talked with is passionate about the potential of renewable energy and new ways to power our vehicles. 

Among the companies we met with were Nissan, Mazda, Eurus Energy, Mitsubishi Heavy Industry, Terumo Corporation, Toyota Motor Company and Tokyo Electric - all of those companies interested in what we are doing in Michigan.

Just as we are working to strengthen our partnership with Japan so, too, are we continuing to build on our relationship with Sweden, a world leader in alternative energy.  Next week, Michigan will proudly host His Majesty, King Carl Gustaf of Sweden.  Together we'll participate in an Alternative Energy Symposium where we'll hear more about his country's innovations in renewable fuels and sustainable energy production.  We'll also celebrate the Swedish BioGas demonstration project in Flint that turns waste from the city's wastewater treatment plant into energy. 

From strengthening relationships in Japan to building relationships in Sweden, we are being aggressive in fighting for jobs in Michigan.  This year we have announced economic development projects that mean 40,000 jobs created or retained in Michigan and next week we hope to add more to this list when the Michigan Economic Growth Authority meets.  And there is no denying, final passage of the renewable energy package by state lawmakers this week will greatly enhance our job creation efforts, too.

As this week's jobs and investment mission concludes, I feel encouraged with our prospects.  And next week we will keep on our mission to go anywhere and do anything to bring jobs to Michigan. 

Thank you for listening.

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