It certainly will not end the statewide debate over Michigan’s right-to-work law or the massive business tax cuts awarded by Gov. Snyder nearly five years ago, but the latest update on business attraction to the Great Lakes State is big news.
Michigan has been named the No. 6 state in the nation for major new corporate facilities and expansions in 2015 by Site Selection magazine, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced today.
“Once again, the nation is taking notice of the bold reforms now driving Michigan forward. More companies are choosing to grow their futures in Michigan, creating more and better jobs here,” the MEDC’s CEO, Steve Arwood, said in a news release.
“The best way to boost our state’s economy and improve the quality of life for all is to create an environment that encourages business investment and innovation.”
Site Selection verified 217 projects in Michigan that met capital investment, job-creation or size standards as part of its annual “Governor’s Cup” ranking. This year, Michigan finished behind Texas, Ohio, Illinois, North Carolina, and Kentucky. Rounding out the Top 10 were Georgia, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Indiana.
With swarms of national media in Michigan this week leading up to Tuesday’s presidential primary, the timing couldn’t be better for Snyder as he commissions outside PR firms and law firms to fend off sticky criticisms of his handling of the Flint water crisis.
Major new corporate projects for Michigan in 2015 included expansions by leading automotive suppliers ZF (Northville Township), Detroit Diesel Corporation (Redford Township), and Sakthi Automotive Group USA (Detroit); Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America’s expansion of its Ann Arbor Township facility; as well as new investments by Notions Marketing Corporation (Grand Rapids) and Carhartt Inc. (Dearborn).
This is the upbeat message the beleaguered governor hoped to deliver during primary election week in Michigan.
The state has enjoyed top rankings for new and expanded facilities for four consecutive years, plus a Top 10 ranking for automotive employment, new manufacturing jobs, and education tech skills.
Site Selection’s database focuses on new corporate projects with significant impact, including headquarters, manufacturing plants, R&D operations and logistics sites. It does not track retail and government projects, or schools and hospitals. New facilities and expansions included in the analyses must meet at least one of three criteria: a capital investment of at least $1 million; a project that creates at least 20 new jobs; or an investment that adds at least 20,000 sq. ft. of new space.

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