![]() More than 163,000 jobs were created or retained in 2009 through the work of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the Michigan Economic Growth Authority, representing an investment of more than $11 billion. Michigan is one of the fastest growing life-sciences states, ranking second in the nation for overall industrial research with more than 125 new companies and more than 540 life- sciences companies overall. Three new studio developments representing more than $300 million in investments are projected to create nearly 6,000 permanent full-time jobs. The second year of Michigan's expanded film production incentives brought 45 new film and video productions to the state, compared to three in 2007. In September, defense contractor BAE Systems announced it is building a new engineering and technology center in Sterling Heights. Employment in the defense sector, now at almost 13,000, also has doubled since 2007. Michigan's 2009 defense contracts totaling more than $645 million have more than doubled since 2007. In addition, General Electric has selected Michigan for its new advanced technology and training center in Wayne County's Van Buren Township. Michigan continued to make strides as a center for advanced manufacturing with the following investment announcements: $700 million by GM to build the Chevrolet Volt in Michigan, $550 million by Ford to build its new electric vehicle at its Wayne Assembly plant, and $179 million by Chrysler to build its new fully integrated robotized engine in Dundee. Another solar manufacturing company, Clairvoyant, also announced it is coming to Michigan this year and will help redevelop Ford's former Wixom Assembly plant into a renewable energy park. The Saginaw Valley area is rapidly becoming a hub for solar manufacturing, with Suniva and GlobalWatt announcing they'll be joining Hemlock Semiconductor in the area. Governor Granholm signed into law the state's first photovoltaic tax credit in October, raising total solar energy manufacturing investment over the last five years to more than $3.5 billion. Battery investments in Michigan total $3.4 billion and will create nearly 10,000 new direct jobs. Michigan is well on its way to becoming the advanced-battery capital of the world. Department of Energy grants than all other states combined. Governor Granholm signed legislation in January to create state advanced-battery tax credits that were awarded to four companies in the spring. ![]() Granholm highlighted key successes in 2009, including:ĭiversifying Michigan's economy and creating jobs The governor added that Recovery Act dollars have enabled Michigan to retain or create thousands of jobs and also have boosted education, job-training, health-care, public safety, road construction, and unemployment insurance. "From the GM and Chrysler rescue to the Recovery Act, the Obama administration has provided a lifeline for Michigan during these tough times." "We're grateful for a partner in the White House that has helped us weather this economic storm and move the state forward," Granholm said. Granholm emphasized the crucial assistance the Obama administration provided to Michigan in 2009. "An emerging advanced-battery industry in Michigan a growing solar-energy industry, particularly in the Saginaw Valley investments in electric vehicles by GM, Ford and Chrysler a burgeoning film industry and enrollment topping 105,000 in the state's No Worker Left Behind job-training program are all signs that we are building a new Michigan." Granholm pointed to a number of positive developments that validate the state's efforts to diversify Michigan's economy in the sectors of advanced manufacturing, clean energy, defense and homeland security, life sciences, film, and tourism. Those challenges were painful, but they underscored that we have the right plan to give citizens new opportunities for a secure way of life." "It was a year in which we had some of the toughest challenges we've faced, from the General Motors (GM) and Chrysler bankruptcies, to state revenues falling to a 45-year low when adjusted for inflation. "There's no question that 2009 was a critical year for our state," the governor said during her traditional year-end discussion with reporters. Granholm today said 2009 was a watershed year for the state of Michigan, saying that the "perfect storm" of the financial crisis and global recession left the state with no choice but to diversify its economy and increase educational attainment.
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