September 1, 2006
Granholm underscores comprehensive plan at local manufacturer
LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today reiterated that her comprehensive economic plan is already at work diversifying the economy and creating jobs for Michigan citizens. The governor made her comments during a visit to Albion Machine and Tool Company in Albion.
“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. It invests in people – in their education and health care – to ensure that everyone in Michigan has the tools they need to be competitive.”
Albion Machine and Tool Company, a manufacturer of specialty parts for automotive, food processing, plastics, and aerospace companies, is located in the Great Lakes Tool and Die Collaborative, one of nineteen Tool and Die Renaissance Zones in Michigan. The zones, designed to foster collaboration and a competitive business climate for tool and die manufacturers in the state, are a component of the governor’s economic plan.
“Michigan draws its economic strength from our rich manufacturing tradition,” said Granholm. “Supporting our state’s manufacturers as they adapt to the challenges of a global economy will ensure that that tradition remains for generations to come.”
Granholm also told the workers that while there is still much work to be done, her plan to transform Michigan’s economy is beginning to pay dividends. She cited a number of examples, including:
- Internet giant Google’s recent announcement they were opening a headquarters for their new AdWords division in Ann Arbor, creating 1,000 new jobs;
- Granholm’s two trade missions to Japan which have resulted in over $200 million of investment and have attracted more than 1,000 new jobs;
- Kellogg moving their U.S. Snacks division from Illinois to Michigan, creating an additional 650 jobs in Battle Creek and Wyoming;
- Whirlpool’s announcement they are consolidating their administrative operation in Michigan, creating more than 400 jobs in Benton Harbor;
- United Solar Ovonics, an alternative energy company, relocating to Greenville;
- Advanced Photonix, a California-based technology company, moving their offices to Ann Arbor;
- Hemlock Semiconductors’ expansion in Saginaw; and,
- American Axle choosing Detroit over Mexico.
“Companies like Google, Kellogg and Whirlpool choosing Michigan is good news,” said Granholm. “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
