The Gov Monitor

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced 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.

“For the second week in a row, our economic development efforts have been recognized by a global site selection publication,” Granholm said.  “We will continue going anywhere and doing anything to further diversify the state’s economy and create new jobs in Michigan.”

The CiCi Awards competition recognizes the top 30 projects in North America for 2009 in two categories: Corporate Investment and Community Impact, honoring the company investing in the community as well as the economic developers who played a role in securing those investments.

In the Corporate Investment category, Michigan led the field with six awards out of a possible 15, four of them in the clean energy sector.

The projects recognized were:

Xtreme Power and Clairvoyant Energy anchoring what will be the nation’s largest renewable energy center on the site of the former Ford Motor Wixom assembly plant.

Advanced-battery development and manufacturing firms A123 Systems (Livonia) and Johnson Controls-Saft Advanced Power Solutions (Holland), and solar manufacturer Suniva (Thomas Township, Saginaw).

Nexteer Automotive, the former steering division of Delphi Corporation, now focused on development of advanced steering and driveline systems technology.

Quicken Loans, the nation’s largest online lender, undertaking a $240 million expansion and headquarters relocation to Detroit.

The Community Impact award honored MEDC’s success in winning the new General Electric advanced technology and training center in Van Buren Township (western Wayne County) which will become GE’s largest single-site IT operation.  It is based in large part on Michigan’s roster of engineering and technology professionals.

“These awards pay tribute to the economic development talent and professionalism available in communities around the state,” MEDC President and CEO Greg Main said.  “Perfecting these deals requires the highest degree of collaboration and cooperation in generating new investment from inside and outside of the state.  Our local partners are a major reason Michigan is a leader in attracting and nurturing growing companies, based on our aggressive initiatives, strong business climate and hard-working and talented workforce.”

Describing itself as the only vertical market publication dedicated to site selection, Trade & Industry Development has a circulation of 25,000.

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