LG Chem announced this week that it will build its first North American lithium ion battery plant in Holland. The $303 million facility will generate hundreds of jobs and, along with Johnson Controls’ Holland-area battery plant, make northwest Michigan the epicenter of the Western Hemisphere’s lithium ion battery production, an emerging market that is expected to spark up to $3.2 billion in sales within two years.
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm also announced this week that seven projects supported by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) have been recognized in the fifth annual Trade & Industry Development magazine economic development awards competition. These are seven of the key projects that propelled Michigan to third place in Site Selection magazine’s annual Governor’s Cup competition for major new corporate investments in 2009 announced last week.
These announcements pay tribute to the economic development talent and professionalism available in communities around the state. Perfecting these deals requires the highest degree of collaboration and cooperation in generating new investment from inside and outside of the state. Michigan continues to demonstrate its leadership in attracting and nurturing growing companies, based on our aggressive initiatives, strong business climate, and a hard-working and talented workforce.
Tagged as:
advanced battery,
Alternative Energy,
economic development attraction/retention programs,
economic development partnerships,
Economic Growth,
green manufacturing
Yesterday, Gov. Granholm announced that Site Selection magazine has named Michigan the No. 3 state in the nation for major new corporate facilities and expansions in 2009. This is the second year in a row that Michigan has finished in the top three.
Major new corporate projects for Michigan in 2009 included: advanced energy storage and solar firms like the Wixom Renewable Energy Center (Xtreme Power and Clairvoyant Energy) on the site of the former Ford Wixom assembly plant; advanced battery development and manufacturing firms A123 Systems (Ann Arbor), Johnson Controls-Saft Advanced Power Solutions (Holland), Dow Kokam (Midland), Suniva (Saginaw) and major expansions by GM and Ford for electric and hybrid vehicle production here.
As Gov. Granholm said, in the Olympics, the difference between winning a gold or bronze medal can be a mere fraction of a second. The same holds true for Michigan in this important 50-state contest. We take pride in winning the bronze, but won’t rest until we win the gold. We will continue to push our aggressive economic development and diversification strategy to accomplish that goal.
Tagged as:
economic development attraction/retention programs,
Economic Growth
Wednesday, the New York Times highlighted the Small Business and Technology Development Center’s (SBTDC) efforts at re-training laid-off workers to qualify for jobs in emerging sectors. The SBTDC is a strategic service provider for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
So far, 527 people have taken the course, which the center offers in partnership with the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. To date, 160 people in the Michigan program have introduced new business ventures, and more than 125 owners of existing businesses have enrolled in separate courses to bolster their chances of surviving. Another 1,000 would-be entrepreneurs are expected to complete the program this year.
Many of the workers being re-trained come from the auto industry, and the SBTDC’s efforts represent just one aspect of our strategy to diversify Michigan’s economy and create jobs for Michigan workers. Judging by the accolades we’ve been getting from the national media regarding our innovative economic-development toolbox, our efforts are paying off.
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economic diversification,
Entrepreneurship,
Resources
From solar shingles and advanced batteries to boats and scrap-tire recycling, Michigan is putting in place a diversified economy where firms across a wide spectrum of industries find success and grow new jobs. With assistance from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, 10 companies announced yesterday that they are choosing to grow in Michigan and another business is expanding thanks to the state’s brownfield program. Combined, the 11 projects are expected to create 17,321 new jobs and generate over $804 million in new investment in the state.
Michigan won these projects over intense competition from other states and other countries thanks to the Michigan Advantage: powerful economic development tools, a competitive business climate and an outstanding workforce.
Tagged as:
advanced battery,
Alternative Energy,
economic development partnerships,
economic diversification,
Economic Growth,
electric vehicle manufacturing,
Green Technology
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