September 12, 2008
September 12, 2008
Governor committed to going anywhere and doing anything to bring jobs to Michigan
LANSING- In her weekly radio address, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today previewed her sixth overseas jobs and investment mission scheduled for next week. The governor departs for her third visit to Japan on September 15. During the three-day trip, the governor will travel to three cities to meet with 22 companies that have locations or are considering investments in Michigan or that are ripe for international investment.
"On this trip, I'll talk with leaders in the automotive industry, life sciences companies, and alternative energy developers and manufacturers," Granholm said. "These face-to-face meetings are a critical part of this plan to bring jobs to Michigan. They give my economic development team and me a chance to tell these CEOs and decision-makers about all that Michigan has to offer."
The governor highlighted some of the companies she will meet with, for example, alternative energy companies Eurus Energy and Mitsubishi Heavy Industry, to talk about Michigan's commitment to that growing industry.
"Our aggressive economic plan, a flexible and diverse economic toolbox, our competitive business climate, our outstanding workforce, they all make Michigan a great place to do business," Granholm said.
The governor's weekly radio address is released each Friday morning and may be heard on broadcast stations across the state. The address is available on the governor's Web site at (www.michigan.gov/gov) for download, together with a clip of the quote above. The radio address is also available as a podcast on the Web site, as well as on iTunes and vi2a RSS feed for general distribution to personal MP3 players and home computers. Links to the audio files and text of today's address follow.
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm
Radio Address - Japan Jobs Mission Preview
September 12, 2008
Full: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/gov/Gov162_Full_249215_7.mp3
Edited: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/gov/Gov162_Edit_249217_7.mp3
Quote: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/gov/Gov162_Quote_249219_7.mp3
This is Governor Jennifer Granholm.
As I have said many times, my commitment is to go anywhere and do anything to bring jobs to Michigan. So Monday, I am headed to Japan once again to meet with business and industry leaders about all that Michigan is doing to diversify our economy and attract good jobs in fast-growing industries. During three whirlwind days, I'll meet with 22 Japanese companies that are considering investment in Michigan.
This is the sixth time I have led a jobs mission overseas. Our previous trips to Germany, Austria, Japan, and Sweden have resulted in 37 companies announcing more than $826 million in new investment in Michigan and that has resulted in more than 9,000 good paying jobs right here.
On this trip, I'll talk with leaders in the automotive industry, life sciences companies and with alternative energy developers and manufacturers. These face-to-face meetings are a critical part of this plan to bring jobs to Michigan. They give my economic development team and me a chance to tell these CEOs and decision-makers about all that Michigan has to offer.
We'll meet with, for example, Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Mazda to talk about the benefit of researching, developing and building the next generation of cars here in Michigan. We'll also meet with parts suppliers and manufacturers like Aisin, Meiden and Howa Textiles to talk about our rich manufacturing history and all that Michigan has to offer them.
And we'll meet with alternative energy companies like Eurus Energy and Mitsubishi Heavy Industry to talk about our commitment to that growing industry, alternative and renewable energy, our bountiful natural resources and our world-class workforce.
The steps that we've taken in the last year are going to make that pitch even easier on this trip. The revamped Michigan Business Tax has strengthened our tax climate. Our new, more flexible MEGA tax credits allow us to offer additional help to companies that are looking to invest and create jobs. And we will have a comprehensive energy package in place to prove to alternative energy companies around the globe that Michigan is serious about creating jobs in this thriving industry.
Our aggressive economic plan, and a flexible and diverse economic toolbox, our competitive business climate, our outstanding workforce, they all make Michigan a great place to do business.
That's what I'll be talking about next week with business leaders and job creators in Japan.
Next week, actually, I'll be recording my weekly radio address from Nagoya, Japan. So, I hope you'll tune in to hear more details about this mission to bring new investment and new jobs to Michigan.
Thanks for listening and I'll talk to you soon.
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