17 Companies to Add Michigan Jobs

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm has announced that the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) is helping 17 companies grow in Michigan.

Combined, the projects are expected to create and retain over 21,000 Michigan jobs and generate over $1 billion in new investment in the state.

“Our aggressive economic strategy is attracting new job-creating investments from growing national and international companies,” Granholm said. “Our competitive business climate and outstanding workforce are attracting the kinds of companies that are helping to diversify our economy, and we will continue to go anywhere and do anything to bring new jobs like these to Michigan.”

A partial listing of the companies involved include the following:

• Ohio-based Consolidated Biscuit Company (CBC) will invest $12 million in a new manufacturing center in Tecumseh. The expansion is expected to create 1,058 new Michigan jobs, including 500 directly by the company.
• State incentives have been approved to encourage General Motors to develop and produce the new Chevrolet Volt in Michigan along with additional advanced energy and conventional fuel vehicles and components.
• Chicago-based Accretive Health LLC, a leading provider of revenue-cycle management services to hospitals, plans to expand operations in Detroit and Kalamazoo. The aggressive expansion is expected to create 650 jobs over the next five to seven years.
• Bissell, Inc. is one of the world’s largest and oldest suppliers and manufacturers of floor-care products, including sweepers, vacuums, deep-cleaning machines, and cleaning formulas. Bissell plans to invest approximately $9 million in an expansion and the opening of an innovation center at its facility in Walker. The innovation center would be a centralized location for research and development related to Bissell’s new and existing product lines.
• Genesis Seating will invest $3 million to relocate from Cascade Twp. and expand in Kentwood. The project is expected to create 131 new jobs.
• San Diego-based Sequenom, a genetics and molecular diagnostic company is creating a second research location by purchasing lab space in Grand Rapids. The project includes a capital investment of approximately $20.25 million over five years and the creation of up to 523 jobs by 2013.
• A2 Media Corporation, an interactive agency developing software that lets marketing and communications professionals in the auto, biotech and financial sector manage their digital activities, will invest approximately $2.7 million in relocation and expansion of its current Ann Arbor site to a larger facility in the city. The project is expected to create 128 new jobs, including 63 directly by the company.
• Barracuda Networks, a leader in e-mail and Web security applications, plans to expand its research and development center in Ann Arbor. The project is expected to create 351 new jobs, including 185 directly by the company.
• AT&T Internet Services plans to build a high-tech call center that will take in-bound calls for high speed internet (DSL) customers in need of assistance with their internet service. The call center will be located in an existing facility in Detroit and is expected to create 300 jobs.

In her 2008 State of the State address, Granholm emphasized the importance of creating opportunity in the changing world of the 21st century.