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Granholm Announces 9,000+ New Jobs Save Email Print
Posted: 10:12 PM Aug 19, 2008
Last Updated: 4:17 PM Aug 20, 2008
Reporter: Jason Colthorp
Email Address: jason.colthorp@wilx.com

A | A | A

"An incredibly great day for the state of Michigan."

That from Governor Jennifer Granholm trotted out a host of CEO's to highlight her announcement of the largest job creation in the history of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

Fifteen companies will help generate over half a billion dollars in new investments around the state according to the Governor.
It's something she believes will enhance her plan to transform Michigan's economy and help keep college graduates in the state.

"We have these 15 universities producing these wonderful graduates and we now have places for them to land with jobs," said Granholm as she motioned to the business leaders behind her. "(Yes, we're) creating a knowledged economy, but creating all kinds of jobs for all kinds of people is part of the strategy for diversifying Michigan's economic portfolio."

HOW MANY JOBS?

9,081 new jobs will be created, not including about 400 more that will be retained. 2,642 of those are indirect, spin-off jobs, meaning they are just an estimation.

HOW MUCH MONEY?

It's 20 projects in all, including the building of a new "Cabela's" in Wyoming which includes apartments and town homes and an estimated 3,668 new jobs for that project alone.
All told, it's $658 million dollars of investment in Michigan.

WHO LOST?

Michigan beat out 15 other states and two countries for these new projects.
The majority are in West and Southeast Michigan, but the lone local project included is the the Nu Union Credit Union branch going in at the soon-to-be demolished Regent Inn in Lansing.

WHY MICHIGAN?

Brian Schrader founder and CEO of Business Intelligence Associates Inc. of New York was looking at a very large expansion possibly off-shore. His company has facilities in San Francisco, Seattle and New York. He was lured to Michigan by none other than the star of "Dumb and Dumber."

"Honestly, one day I was watching Bloomberg Television and a Jeff Daniels commercial came on about the incentives that were here," said Schrader. "I told my business partner we have to look at Michigan before we decide to take these jobs out of the country."

He met with people from the MEDC and in the end is opening his largest facility in Kalamazoo and should create up to 600 new jobs.

Tuesday's announcement marks the most jobs created in one month by the MEDC in its 13-year history.

Tax abatements, services and recruitment of workers are just some of the incentives awaiting the 15 companies from the supporting communities.

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Posted by: linda Location: howell on Aug 21, 2008 at 05:11 PM
15 companies---what companies are they? If this is anything like the handling of the mayor of Detroit, we're in trouble. Why aren't the issues addressed before the money is wasted!

Posted by: Kristy Location: MI on Aug 20, 2008 at 11:37 PM
Who's gonna get these jobs? Illegals with false soc.sec #'s?? Kinda late now, after the MILLIONS of foreclosures. Or do ya think the folks that moved outta MI, will return for one of these jobs??? My opinion is, IT"S A BIT LATE FOR THIS! Wheres Granholm been all these years??? Let's see if she takes care of the Kwame mess first, and how long he will remain employeed! Why not give his job to someone who is at least TRUSTWORTHY and has the people of DETROITS best interests at hand!

Posted by: Pam Location: Jackson on Aug 20, 2008 at 04:20 PM
With less qualified workers staying around, will these jobs be filled.

Posted by: terry Location: mich on Aug 20, 2008 at 09:21 AM
We will see how this works out and how many really get jobs.If all this is what is comming about,we know it should of happened how many yrs ago?Now jenn needs to get 9,000 more ect.All over mich including hillsdale county that is with many empty facotories and lack of growing and so many empty houses.Rents so high and cheaper government houseing filled and impossible to get into.Send jobs our way.Let our area get back on it's feet and the people in it.Our unemployment is so high.

Posted by: Jimmy Location: Jackson on Aug 20, 2008 at 05:53 AM
Will believe it when we see it happen, you know Jen 'TALK IS CHEAP!',

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