July 2, 2009
48-hour mission to target renewable energy companies
LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm will conduct her eighth overseas investment mission since 2004 when she departs for Germany and Belgium on Monday, July 6, to meet with company leaders to encourage them to invest and grow in Michigan.
"We are working hard to become the renewable energy capital of the world, and we are targeting high-tech companies from across the globe that can help us claim that title," Granholm said. "No other state is making the kind of investments we are in growing green technologies and industries, and our efforts are really causing national and international companies to consider investing and locating in Michigan. These investment missions help us make our case and seal deals."
Granholm's previous investment missions to Germany, Austria, Japan, Sweden, and the Middle East resulted in 45 companies announcing over $955.8 million in new investment and more than 10,890 jobs created and retained. Officials from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and NextEnergy will accompany Granholm on the mission.
Following her missions to Japan in 2005 and 2006, several companies stated their intention to expand in Michigan, including DENSO, Konica Minolta, Meiden American, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and Tokai Rika for a total investment of $339.4 million and 2,248 jobs created and retained.
Investment missions to Germany in 2004 and Germany/Austria in 2007 resulted in several companies announcing investments totaling $397 million and 4,532 jobs created and retained, including Behr America, Eberspacher, Bosch, Karmann, Mahle, FACTON, Kostal, MBTech Autodie, and AVL. Her mission to Sweden and Germany in 2007 resulted in Atlas Copco, SECO Tools, MS Precision Welding, Brose, Behr-Hella, and EDAG announcing $82 million in new investments and nearly 2,400 jobs created and retained.
Investment missions to Japan and the Middle East last year resulted in companies like Hino Motors Manufacturing, Howa USA Holding and Homedics announcing investments totaling $14.7 million and the creation of more than 240 jobs.
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