October 04, 2005
October 4, 2005
Company an Example of Business Her Economic Plan Would Create
LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today joined local officials and company executives in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Neogen Corporation's new manufacturing facility in Lansing. During the celebration, the Governor thanked company leaders for their strong commitment to Michigan and cited the company as an example of the advanced manufacturing firms her economic plan seeks to create.
"This company was born of an idea, a little start-up money and lot of hard work by a few individuals at Michigan State University, and today it employs hundreds of people here in mid-Michigan" Granholm said. "My plan to invest billions in diversifying our economy will help create jobs and grow companies like Neogen in communities across this state."
Neogen, which is headquartered in Lansing, has facilities in four other states and three foreign countries. The company had outgrown a veterinary instruments manufacturing facility in Chicago and a dehydrated culture media production facility in Baltimore. The company chose to invest $1.1 million in consolidating the two facilities in Lansing and renovated the abandoned Dudley Paper Company building to house the new plant. The facility provides Acumedia Manufacturing, Inc., a subsidiary of Neogen Corp., with 50,000 square feet of space for manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, and research and development. Since June 2004 when the expansion project began, Neogen has created 42 new good-paying jobs in Lansing directly related to the project.
Granholm frequently cites Neogen Corporation as the type of company that she is looking to bring to Michigan with her $2 billion proposal to diversify the state's economy. This investment will allow the state to invest in cutting edge companies that are developing the products - and the jobs - of the 21st century.
"Neogen and their affiliates are helping ensure that our food supply is safe," said Granholm. "The diversification that will result from my economic plan will help make Michigan the home of cutting edge medical research, advanced automotive manufacturing, alternative energy development and more. But the Legislature needs to pass my plan."
