Global Business Magazine Awards Michigan a ‘Silver Shovel' for High-Tech Projects in Alternative Energy, Manufacturing

Silver Shovel awarded

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced thatArea Development magazine has awarded the State of Michigan and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) a Silver Shovel in the magazine’s annualGold & Silver Shovel awards competition recognizing state economic development agencies that drive significant job creation through innovative incentives, infrastructure improvements and programs to attract new employers and investments in expanded facilities. 

“We have identified key high-growth sectors and we are aggressively targeting those projects that will result increation of thousands of high-paying jobs and a diversified economy," Granholm said. “This award is proof that our strategy is working and we are attracting new investment and jobs from companies across a wide spectrum of industries, including alternative energy, defense, life sciences and business services,” Granholm said. 

States were compared only to other states in their population category. Each was rated on five weighted jobs and investment factors and ranked in three population groups. Michigan was among the top states with population over 10 million, and one of only 10 states to receive a Silver Shovel. Only those projects that began to materialize in 2008 were considered. 

“Strong cooperation at the state and local level was instrumental in winning these projects for Michigan against very strong national and international competition,” MEDC President and CEO Greg Main said. “Our local partners all across the state continue to be crucial to our success.” 

Major alternative energy-related corporate locations and expansions in Michigan in 2008 include: Hemlock Semiconductor, Saginaw County; United Solar Ovonic, Battle Creek; Dow Chemical and Evergreen Solar, Midland; and Global Wind Systems, Novi. Among the year’s top defense and manufacturing projects are: Kaiser Aluminum and Graphic Packaging, Kalamazoo; General Dynamics and BAE Systems, Macomb County. Others are North American Bancard, Troy; and Sequenom, a San Diego-based life-science company with facilities in Grand Rapids. 

Area Developmentis a leading trade publication covering corporate site selection and location. The bi-monthly magazine, founded in 1965, has more than 45,000 executive subscribers. The silver shovel article can be found at www.areadevelopment.com/awards. 

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.