November 12, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 12, 2010
In radio address, governor says she'll continue working until end of year to bring new jobs and investment to Michigan
LANSING - In her weekly radio address, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today said her 12 overseas investment missions which first began in 2004 have resulted in companies investing nearly $2 billion in Michigan and creating or retaining more than 20,000 jobs.
"My first investment mission was to Germany in November 2004," Granholm said. "As a result, German companies invested $483 million in Michigan and almost 4,900 jobs were created or retained in our state."
"Trips to Japan in 2005 and 2006 helped to increase Japanese automotive investments in Michigan," Granholm continued. "Those two trips resulted in $348 million invested in Michigan and more than 2,500 Michigan jobs created or retained."
"Investment missions to Sweden in 2007 and again in October have helped to grow Michigan's clean energy sector," Granholm said. "And just last week, I was in South Korea to meet with LG Chem. The company is currently building a battery cell plant in West Michigan in Holland and now plans to build a new electrolyte production plant nearby."
"In addition to investment missions to Germany, Japan, Sweden, South Korea and Italy, I've also traveled to Austria, Belgium, France, Israel and Jordan - all to seek and bring back to Michigan new jobs and investment," Granholm said.
"In total, my 12 overseas missions have resulted in 50 companies announcing nearly $2 billion in new investment in Michigan and more than 20,000 new or retained jobs," Granholm said. "Job creation remains our top priority, and from now until the end of the year, every day, I'll continue going anywhere and doing anything to bring new investment and jobs to Michigan."
The governor's weekly radio address is released each Friday and may be heard on broadcast stations across the state. The address is available for download on the governor's Web site at www.michigan.gov/gov together with a clip of the quote above. The radio address also is available as a podcast on the Web site as well as on iTunes and via 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 - Investment Missions
November 12, 2010
Full: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/gov/Gov275Full_338318_7.mp3
Edited: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/gov/Gov275Edit_338320_7.mp3
Quote: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/gov/Gov275Quote_338321_7.mp3
Hello, this is Governor Jennifer Granholm.
As governor, I have vowed to go anywhere and do anything to bring new investment and jobs to Michigan. And that's been the impetus behind the 12 overseas investment missions that I've taken since 2004.
My first investment mission was to Germany in November of 2004. And there I met with officials from a half dozen companies like Behr Industries, Robert Bosch and the Eberspacher Group. As a result of that first overseas mission, German companies invested $483 million in Michigan, and almost 4,900 jobs were created or retained in our state.
Trips to Japan in 2005 and 2006 helped to increase Japanese automotive investments in Michigan. Those two trips resulted in $348 million invested in Michigan and more than 2,500 Michigan jobs created or retained.
Investment missions to Sweden in 2007 and again in October have helped to grow Michigan's clean energy sector. After my 2007 trip, Swedish Biogas International became one of Michigan's first Centers of Energy Excellence, converting waste from Flint's wastewater treatment plant into bio-based energy.
And during last month's trip to Sweden, we announced that URV USA, a manufacturer of wind turbine castings, will expand the capacity of its proposed foundry in Eaton Rapids and double its workforce there.
Just last week, I was in South Korea to meet with LG Chem. The company is currently building a battery cell plant in West Michigan in Holland and now plans to build a new electrolyte production plant nearby.
Along with LG Chem's plans to further invest in Michigan, there was even more good news last week. Marinette Marine-Fincantieri, partnering with Lockheed Martin, was selected to build 10 of the U.S. Navy's Littoral Combat Ships, a high-speed, shallow-draft, reconfigurable warship.
I had met with CEO Giuseppe Bono and other senior leadership of the Fincantieri Marine Group in Rome this past April to offer the state's full support for the company's bid. Building the ships means more than 3,000 Michigan jobs statewide.
In addition to investment missions to Germany, Japan, Sweden, South Korea and Italy, I've also traveled to Austria, Belgium, France, Israel and Jordan - all to seek and bring back to Michigan new jobs and investment.
So in total, my 12 overseas missions have resulted in 50 companies announcing nearly $2 billion in new investment in Michigan and more than 20,000 new or retained jobs. Job creation remains our top priority, and from now until the end of the year, every day, I'll continue going anywhere and doing anything to bring new investment and jobs to Michigan.
Thank you for listening.
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