March 14, 2006
March 14, 2006
Global Response North to Invest $1.2 Million
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced a $590,000 grant to Iron County to help Global Response North expand its operations. The project is expected to create 85 new jobs and generate $1.2 million in private investment.
“This is fantastic news for Iron County,” Granholm said. “Global Response’s presence will anchor good-paying jobs in the Upper Peninsula and create a magnet for future investment.”
The grant is being made available by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation with funds provided by the federal Community Development Block Grant program. The MEDC originally awarded $253,563 to Iron County for the project. Since the approval of the original funding, the project has grown in size and now Global Response will require additional workspace and create 85 instead of the original 30 jobs. The private investment in this project has also increased to more than $1.2 million from the original investment of $562,000. These enhancements justified a $354,437 increase to the grant.
MEDC representatives joined local officials today to present a ceremonial check for the total grant amount of $590,000.
Iron County will use the grant to assist with purchasing and refurbishing the interior of a building to be leased to Global Response North for its customer contact operations. The county will contribute an additional $445,000 to facilitate the project.
“We cannot begin to thank all of the people who worked so hard to bring this exciting project to Iron County,” County Board of Commissioners Chair Rosalie King said. “We most appreciate the cooperation and foresight of Governor Jennifer Granholm, Senator Mike Prusi, Representative Rich Brown and the MEDC in assisting with this grant. This not only means the creation of 85 new jobs but the retention of Michigan jobs for Michigan residents.”
Global Response North is a startup company affiliated with Global Response, a well-established firm with more than 30 years of experience in the contact center industry sector.
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation administers the state’s Community Development Block Grant funds received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
These funds are used to provide grants and loans to eligible counties, cities, villages and townships—typically those with populations less than 50,000—for economic development, community development and housing projects. Larger communities receive block grant funds directly from the federal government.
The MEDC is able to award approximately $40 million in federal CDBG funds each year. There are 1,655 local governments within the state eligible to apply for these funds. Projects are approved contingent upon compliance with state and federal requirements.
“This project has nearly tripled in size since we originally announced it last year,” MEDC President and CEO James Epolito said. “Global Response’s decision to expand its operations is a testament to the quality of the workforce and the collaborative efforts of local government leaders and the Iron County Economic Development Corporation.”
In her 2006 State of the State address, Granholm emphasized the importance of making Michigan a global economic powerhouse in the 21st century. Since January 2005 the Governor and the MEDC announced the creation or retention of more than 69,000 jobs as a result of targeted assistance provided by the MEDC.
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation, a partnership between the state and local communities, promotes smart economic growth by developing strategies and providing services to create and retain good jobs and a high quality of life. For more information on MEDC initiatives and programs, visit the Web site at www.michigan.org.
