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Parting Shots
By Wm. R. Lowry
Editor & Publisher, MiBiz
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“What made this (Johnson Controls-Saft advanced battery plant in Holland) possible were the actions we took as a nation … through the government … to invest in technology that holds promise for jobs and growth... You cannot bet against the American worker. You do not bet against American ingenuity.”
— President Barack Obama
“When we make things and grow things here, we create jobs here. That is exactly what is happening in Holland with companies like Johnson Controls-Saft expanding Michigan’s advanced battery industry and creating new clean energy jobs. Thanks to these efforts, Michigan is leading the nation in advanced battery production. President Obama is right to shine a spotlight on how Michigan is becoming the global leader in advanced energy manufacturing.”
— Sen. Debbie Stabenow, (D-MI)
“We’re extremely pleased that Gentex chose to expand its Michigan facilities and bring additional jobs to more than 1,000 qualified Michigan workers. This investment underscores Michigan’s tremendous talent and the continued growth of core sectors.”
— Michael A. Finney,
MEDC President and CEO
The traditional Dog Days of Summer in West Michigan have been nothing of the sort this year as manufacturer after manufacturer has announced expansion projects and job creation — both of which stand in stark contrast to the malaise haunting the national economic picture.
Expected to take center stage was the celebrated visit to Holland earlier this month by the President of the United States to mark the opening of the new Johnson Controls-Saft advanced battery plant — the first of three area plants that hold much promise for West Michigan. (see story on page 9)
When viewed alongside the new plants under development in the Saginaw and Detroit/Ann Arbor areas, Michigan’s advanced battery plant cluster will easily rival that of any state and make Michigan a serious player on the global stage.
Quietly mirroring the Johnson Controls-Saft celebration of accomplishment, a short stone’s throw from the President’s stage in Holland Township, has been another pioneering West Michigan-born company — Zeeland-based Gentex Corp.
Regular MiBiz readers know well of the rise of Gentex over the years, but its latest growth spurt just announced last week — $160 million investment and up to 1,100 new jobs — qualifies the company as a genuine party crasher. The popular Gentex automotive mirrors may automatically dim, but the company’s prospects are glaringly bright given its astounding record of 19 percent annual growth over the past 19 years.
If the advanced battery market can achieve a Gentex-like level of sustained growth, Michigan and West Michigan in particular may be in for the largest, most unexpected revival of manufacturing ever witnessed. Now that would surely call for a party!
“Wall Street is recognizing Michigan’s hard work and commitment to returning our state’s fiscal integrity and fixing our structural deficit once and for all while starting to pay down our long-term debt and save for the future. Working together with lawmakers, we demonstrated in just over six months that we can avoid gridlock, move Michigan forward and lay a strong foundation for the future. We’ve got AAA in our sights and will work relentlessly to get there.”
— Rick Snyder, Governor of Michigan
This item should come as a morsel of solace to those lamenting the embarrassing downgrade of the debt of what some politicians among us continue to mis-characterize as the most wealthy nation in the history of mankind — us. And to think that the professional number-crunching raters at Standard & Poors rendered their judgement based solely on Uncle Sam’s legislated debt while giving trillions of dollars of unfunded, off-balance sheet liabilities the usual wink and nod.
It is from this sobering context that we should stand together and applaud our governor, state treasurer, budget director and legislators for their good stewardship and hard work in returning Michigan’s financial house to good order and earning an upgrade to “Positive” from Fitch Ratings. Repeat that with me ...“Positive. Michigan is once again ‘Positive.’” Feels good to say, doesn’t it?
Fitch says continued structural (budget) balance, continued rebuilding reserve funds, and continued employment recovery could trigger a future rating action for Michigan. And that would do more than just feel good — it would lower interest rates on all public debt. Party Time again!
By William Lowry
Former Editor & Publisher, MiBiz
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MiBiz was founded in 1988 by its Editor & Publisher, William R. Lowry.
MiBiz (formerly The Shoreline Business Monthly) today presents readers with an in-depth snapshot of the business scene throughout West Michigan 26 times a year.
Professional Honors:
- In 2010, Lowry was named “Entre-Promoter” by the Muskegon Area Chamber of Commerce, one of the inaugural class of two.
- In 2007, Lowry was named “Entrepreneur of the Year” by the Muskegon Area Chamber of Commerce.
- In 2005 Lowry was awarded "Communicator of the Year" by the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM).
- In June 2002, Lowry was awarded two honors by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA): Michigan Small Business Journalist of the Year, and Midwest Regional Small Business Journalist of the Year.
- In 1999, Lowry was awarded the Small Business Advocate Award by the Michigan Small Business Development Center (MI-SBDC).
- In 1993, Lowry was named "Michigan Small Business Media Advocate of the Year" by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
- In 1991, Lowry was awarded the “Muskegon 2000 Award for Business.”
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