March 30, 2010
March 30, 2010
Clean-energy facility further diversifies state's economy, expected to create up to 150 new jobs
LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today joined company leaders and federal, state and local officials to celebrate the groundbreaking for Ventower Industries' new 115,000-square-foot wind tower manufacturing plant in Monroe. The company is investing $22 million in the project, which is expected to create up to 150 new jobs.
"Clean energy is one of the economic sectors we've targeted in our ongoing efforts to diversify Michigan's economy," Granholm said. "Ventower's state-of-the-art facility will help us toward our goal of making Michigan a center for green manufacturing."
Federal, state and local incentives helped Michigan win the project over a competing site in Ohio. Ventower is using a federal advanced energy manufacturing tax credit worth $2.5 million funded through the Recovery Act to help purchase equipment needed for tower manufacturing. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) supported a state employment credit worth up to $3.7 million over 10 years and a brownfield redevelopment credit worth up to $5.8 million. The city of Monroe is assisting with a local abatement and infrastructure upgrades to the Port of Monroe.
"Beginning next year, wind manufacturers placing turbines in the Midwest will have a ready source of towers - built right here in Monroe, Michigan," MEDC President and CEO Greg Main said. "I applaud the city and our elected officials at the local, state and federal levels for working with us in making the strong business case that convinced Ventower to locate here."
Ventower Industries is a full-service fabricator and supplier of industrial-scale wind turbine towers. Focused on serving original equipment manufacturers, the company will provide high-quality wind towers to its customers throughout the Great Lakes region by using readily accessible water, rail and truck modes of transportation.
Ventower expects construction to be complete and manufacturing to begin in early 2011. The company anticipates building up to 250 towers a year at the site.
# # #
