July 12, 2006

American Litho/Konica Minolta Expanding Again in Grand Rapids

LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today toured American Litho/Konica Minolta in Grand Rapids.  Granholm said the company and their decision to expand in Michigan is evidence that her comprehensive economic plan is paying dividends.

“We have the most comprehensive, aggressive jobs plan in the nation,” Granholm said.  “It’s a six-point plan to create jobs today and jobs tomorrow and ensure that everyone in Michigan has the tools they need to be competitive.”

During her recent trip to Japan, Granholm met with Konica Minolta executives to discuss their on-going expansion of American Litho and secured a commitment for a second expansion of the facility.  When the projects are complete, the plant will have added more than 100 employees, more than doubling in size.

Konica Minolta, one of the world’s largest photo imaging and graphics companies purchased Grand Rapids-based American Litho last year.  American Litho produces high-tech newspaper printing plates for some of the nation’s largest publishers.  Konica Minolta has facilities around the world but chose to expand in Michigan.

“A highly skilled workforce and an excellent business climate helped Konica Minolta to stay, grow, and create jobs here in Michigan,” said Granholm.

Granholm also emphasized that while there is still much work to be done, her plan to transform Michigan’s economy is beginning to pay dividends. 

• Yesterday, internet giant Google announced they were opening a headquarters in Ann Arbor for their new AdWords division, creating 1,000 new jobs.
 
• Granholm’s two trade missions to Japan have resulted in over $200 million of investment and have attracted more than 1,000 new jobs to Michigan.
 
• Kellogg is moving their U.S. snacks division from Illinois to Michigan, creating an additional 650 jobs in Battle Creek and Wyoming.
 
• Whirlpool announced the company is consolidating its administrative operations in Michigan, creating more than 400 jobs in Benton Harbor.

• United Solar Ovonics, an alternative energy company, is relocating to Greenville.
 
• Advanced Photonix, a California-based technology company, chose to move their offices to Ann Arbor.
 
• Hemlock Semiconductors is expanding in Saginaw.
 
• American Axle chose Detroit over Mexico.
 
“It is good news that companies like Google and Konica Minolta are choosing Michigan,” Granholm said.  “But we will continue to demand that the Bush Administration stand up for manufacturing by fighting for fair trade, and we will continue to go anywhere and do anything to bring jobs to Michigan.”

The Governor’s “Jobs Today, Jobs Tomorrow” economic plan targets:

• Improving the state’s business climate by eliminating more than $4 billion in budget deficits, cutting business taxes, including a $600 million tax cut for manufacturers, reducing permitting time for businesses and making permits available online, and spending state dollars with Michigan companies.

• Connecting workers to available jobs through the MI Opportunity Partnership.  By partnering with businesses and community colleges, the program has already helped more than 100,000 people get jobs.

• Creating jobs today by accelerating ten years of public infrastructure projects into three years.  More than 40,000 jobs will be created while our roads and bridges are improved, older nursing homes are modernized, and environmentally-contaminated land is made usable again.

• Preparing all students for success by increasing public education funding to a record high, pushing for and signing a new rigorous core curriculum for high schools, doubling the number of college graduates in ten years, and giving every child a $4,000 New Merit Award scholarship.

• Diversifying Michigan’s economy through the 21st Century Jobs Fund, a $2 billion investment in alternative energy, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and homeland security/defense technology. 

• Expanding access to affordable health care through the MiRx Card that cuts the cost of prescription drugs for those without coverage and the Michigan First Health Care Plan which will make affordable health care available to every Michigan citizen.

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A copy of the Governor’s Jobs Today, Jobs Tomorrow economic plan is available in book form on the Governor’s website at www.michigan.gov/gov