July 14, 2006
July 14, 2006
Granholm's Efforts to Diversify Economy Beginning to Work; Other Companies Choosing Michigan Too
LANSING - In her weekly radio address, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today said Google and other companies growing in Michigan are evidence that her work to grow the economy is beginning to pay dividends. This week, Granholm joined officials from Internet-giant Google to announce the company chose Michigan for the headquarters of their new Internet project, AdWords. She also visited Konica Minolta/American Litho and Faurecia North America, two companies expanding jobs opportunities in Michigan.
"Our comprehensive economic plan and our willingness to go anywhere and do anything to bring jobs to Michigan are sending clear messages to companies across the country and around the world," Granholm said. "Whether you build automotive engines or search engines, Michigan has the workforce, the economic incentives, and the quality of life that you need to succeed."
The decisions by Google, Konica Minolta, and Faurecia to invest in Michigan are all clear signs that the Governor's comprehensive economic plan is beginning to pay dividends across the state.
After a year of negotiation, Google announced Tuesday it chose Michigan over competing sites in part because of the state's highly skilled workforce. The company will create 1,000 good-paying, cutting-edge jobs over the next five years around Ann Arbor. Granholm said Google's investment in Michigan will serve as a catalyst for economic growth throughout the state.
On Wednesday, Granholm toured American Litho in Grand Rapids. Granholm met with officials from Konica Minolta, who recently purchased American Litho, during her investment mission to Japan in May to finalize the terms of an additional expansion at the facility. When the expansion is complete, the company will employ more than 150 people, double the number from just three years ago.
Granholm was in Fraser on Thursday to celebrate the grand opening of a new plant in Michigan for Faurecia, a global auto supplier based in France. The company is also expanding an existing plant in Sterling Heights and chose to locate their North American headquarters in Troy last year.
"From the growth of high-tech manufacturing on the west side to successful auto suppliers in Macomb County to the arrival of Google, this has, indeed, been a great week for Michigan," Granholm said.
The Governor's weekly radio address is released each Friday at 10:00 a.m. and may be heard on broadcast stations across the state through an affiliation with the Michigan Association of Broadcasters. The address will also be available on the Governor's website on Mondays as a podcast for general distribution to personal MP3 players and home computers.
Broadcasters Note: Governor Granholm's radio address can be accessed through Sunday evening exclusively through the Members Only page of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters website.
Publishers Note: The text of today's address is attached.
