January 26, 2005

LANSING – A coalition led by Governor Jennifer M. Granholm, Michigan State University (MSU), and advocates for a Rare Isotope Accelerator (RIA) facility at MSU are working to ensure that the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of landing the billion dollar facility becomes a reality for Michigan.

The RIA will be a world-class research laboratory funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and a catalyst in transforming Michigan’s economy in the 21st century, bringing some 1,600 jobs, including scientists, engineers, and technology specialists to Michigan.

"It is vital that we bring the Rare Isotope Accelerator and the opportunities it creates for our workers to Michigan," Granholm said. "These are the high-tech jobs that will propel our economy and workforce into the 21st century. The RIA should call Michigan home."

Michigan State University is currently home to the most advanced rare isotope facility in the United States, making it an ideal location for the RIA facility.

The coalition is working to convince federal officials to choose MSU for the facility over a competing site in Illinois and, today, will host an informal luncheon in Washington, D.C. for the Michigan Business Group, which includes major businesses with offices in the nation’s capital.

Discoveries made at the RIA facility are anticipated to result in commercially viable applications in a variety of industries, including medicine, materials science, detection technology, and solutions for national security.

"Michigan’s bid for the Rare Isotope Accelerator is a real winner," said Lou Anna K. Simon, president of Michigan State University. "We have proven technology, the best people, the best site, the best scientific track record, and the best opportunities to train tomorrow’s scientists – all equaling the best value for the United States. The Rare Isotope Accelerator’s cutting edge technology and research would be a significant contribution to the continued transformation of the Michigan economy."

Former President Gerald R. Ford serves as honorary chairperson of the Michigan Rare Isotope Accelerator Advisory Committee. Ford, along with former Governor and President of the National Association of Manufacturers John Engler, and Michigan’s congressional delegation have all pledged their support in helping to bring RIA to Michigan.

Co-chairs of the Michigan RIA Advisory Committee charged with supporting the RIA as a national priority and bringing the project to Michigan are Donna Banks, senior vice president of the Kellogg Corporation, James Barrett, president of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Mark Gaffney, president of the Michigan AFL-CIO, and David Hollister, director of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth.

For more information on the effort to bring RIA to Michigan visit http://ria-in-mi.org

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