LANSING, Mich. –– State Senator Mark Schauer (D-Battle Creek) joined local and company officials in announcing that a key state agency gave the green light to several economic development opportunities at a meeting in Lansing this morning. Schauer has been working closely with both companies and state officials in an effort to secure incentives that will help them invest here and create jobs locally, instead of choosing sites in Mexico or Indiana.

“This effort demonstrates that Michigan can compete with anyone in the world in the race for jobs,” said Schauer. “By working together, providing incentives for job retention and creation, and offering a skilled workforce, we can turn this economy around.”

A critical change in Michigan’s economic development tool kit helped convince the companies to commit to Michigan. They are among the first to take advantage of a new law recently signed by Governor Granholm that allows Michigan to extend incentives to businesses considering locating or retaining jobs here, instead of forcing them to first consider options in other states. The new law also helps place a high value on efforts to keep current jobs in the state instead of only recognizing new development.

Brembo North America plans to locate its North American headquarters at a site in the Detroit Metro area and conduct manufacturing operations at a plant in Calhoun County. More than 100 jobs will be retained at the Homer Hayes-Lemmerz plant with the goal of adding another 176 jobs over the next several years. Michigan won out over options in the Carolinas and Mexico for the investment. The company is a world leader in the design, development and production of high-performance braking systems and components for cars, motorcycles and commercial vehicles.

“With the acquisition of Hayes-Lemmerz brake discs division, 2007 was a banner year for Brembo North America. The consolidation and expansion of our operations in Michigan, building on the skills of our workforce and competitiveness of our manufacturing facilities, create great opportunities for sustained growth in North America,” commented Adrian Smith, general manager of Brembo North America.

Production Engineering in Jackson County has already cleared several hurdles in its effort to remain in Michigan instead of moving to Indiana. They are a successful family-owned business that manufactures heavy truck axles and were strongly recruited by Indiana for their planned expansion. The current project, which would retain 112 jobs and adding an estimated 122 over the next few years, has been approved by several local governments and will next be considered by the Michigan Strategic Fund Board.

# # #