This week’s radio address reminds us that, even in these tough economic times, it’s important to remember and share your blessings with others.

This is Governor Jennifer Granholm.

It’s been a rough couple of weeks for us here in Michigan as we continue to feel the effects of our challenged economy.

For families worried about layoffs or foreclosure or wondering how to pay heating bills this winter or how to help their kids go to college, it can feel overwhelming. But even in this time of tremendous uncertainty, we certainly share many blessings. This holiday season is a time for us to remember those blessings and to share them with others.

Thanksgiving Day in Michigan means different things to different people. For some, it is a day to gather with family or loved ones around the dinner table for a magnificent feast of mouth-watering Thanksgiving foods. To others, it is a day to bundle up and watch the magical Detroit Thanksgiving Day parade from a spot along Woodward Avenue or on television from the comfort of a warm living room in towns and communities around the state. For others, it’s a day to volunteer serving meals at the local soup kitchen or homeless shelter – a gesture of thanks by giving back to their community.

For some, it’s just another work day – for the first responders protecting our streets and our borders, for the firefighters who will eat their turkey and trimmings at the station house, not at their own house, and for the doctors and nurses who care for the sick and elderly.

And for some, it’s another day to pray for the safe return of a loved one and an end to a war halfway around the world.

No matter how you celebrate this Thanksgiving, I hope you’ll give thanks for our service men and women here and overseas, for our first responders here at home protecting us around the clock, and the more than 100 families in Michigan who’ve lost a son or daughter in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

And I hope you’ll take the opportunity this holiday season to share your blessings with those in need. Whether it’s supporting your local food bank or donating to the Salvation Army or Toys for Tots or one of the myriad of other wonderful community programs at work across our state, a small gift can go a long way to supporting those in need.

Ray Stannard Baker, a journalist and writer at the turn of the century who was born in Lansing, once said about this time of year:

“Thanksgiving is the holiday of peace, the celebration of work and the simple life… a true folk-festival that speaks the poetry of the turn of the seasons, the beauty of seedtime and harvest, the ripe product of the year – and the deep, deep connection of all these things with God.”

From my family to yours, we wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Thank you for listening.

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us here at JenniferGranholm.com!

Governor Granholm and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation have announced approval of three alternative energy partnerships in Ann Arbor, East Lansing/Webberville, and Alpena to be designated the state’s newest Centers of Energy Excellence. The program, proposed by the governor in her State of the State address in January and signed into law this summer, is designed to bring companies, academic institutions and the state together to support cutting-edge research and development and pioneer new alternative-energy technology.

- A123Systems, Inc. – This Boston-based company with an office in Ann Arbor will receive $10 million from the COEE program to establish a center focused on the manufacture of rechargeable lithium batteries for the transportation and alternative energy sectors. The project leverages the state’s automotive assets. The University of Michigan will contribute research on manufacturing system design, performance and processes; and Michigan State University will contribute research on battery materials and electrode designs.

- Working Bugs LLC – This company with operations in East Lansing, Webberville and Sweden will receive $2 million from the COEE program to establish a biorefinery that will produce high-value specialty and fine biochemicals and biofuels from natural feedstocks. Technology developed at this center can be applied to existing biomaterial processing facilities across the state such as corn ethanol plants, beet sugar refineries, and pulp mills to produce new, higher margin products. Michigan Technological University will contribute research toward the supply chain for biomass feedstock that will be delivered to the biorefinery.

- American Process Inc. – The Atlanta-based company, in partnership with San Antonio’s Valero Energy Corporation, will receive $4 million from the COEE program to establish a pilot scale biorefinery at the Decorative Panels International hardwood plant in Alpena. The biorefinery will convert the process waste effluent from the plant into cellulosic ethanol, sodium acetate and clean, warm water. The project has potential for replication across the state in other biorefineries, pulp and paper mills, and food and agricultural processing plants. Michigan Technological University will contribute research to improve fermentation processes and also on the use of sodium acetate for novel anti-icing applications.

These three new centers join the three that were previously announced in September.

Today’s actions follow designations of the first three Centers of Energy Excellence on September 24, when the MSF authorized alternative energy partnerships in Ann Arbor, Flint and Kinross in the eastern Upper Peninsula. Mascoma, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, received $20 million to support its Kinross cellulosic ethanol production facility in collaboration with Michigan State and Michigan Tech universities. Sakti3 was awarded $3 million to develop its proprietary next-generation lithium battery technologies and processes in collaboration with the University of Michigan. Swedish Biogas International will utilize $4 million to create a waste-to-energy/biomethane center at the city of Flint waste water treatment facility with research assistance from Kettering University.

For more information on the Centers Of Energy Excellence application process, visit www.michiganadvantage.org/21CJF.

Yesterday, Governor Granholm and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced 11 new projects that are expected to create over 4000 jobs for Michigan. This list comes to us from WXYZ in Detroit-

CareTech Solutions, Inc. – The provider of information technology services to the health care industry plans to invest approximately $28 million to expand its headquarters and build a new data center in Troy. The expansion is expected to create 838 new Michigan jobs, including 440 directly by the company. Based on the MEDC’s recommendation, the Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) board today approved a state tax credit valued at $7.8 million over 10 years to help convince the company to expand in Michigan over a competing site in Ohio. Oakland County is considering job training funding to support the project.

CAU Acquisition Company, LLC d/b/a ZCartridges Are Us – The Illinois-based remanufacturing company specializing in the production, sale and distribution of inkjet cartridges plans to expand its operations in Ithaca to accommodate additional work and machinery from a plant in Mexicali, Mexico. The company will invest approximately $1.6 million in the project, which is expected to create 557 new Michigan jobs, including 186 directly by the company. Based on the MEDC’s recommendation, the MEGA board today approved a state tax credit valued at $1.1 million over seven years. The City of Ithaca is planning to support the project with an Industrial Rehabilitation Credit for modifications to an existing building, and a 12-year tax abatement on new machinery and equipment.

EPC – Columbia, Inc. – The thermal plastic injection molding company plans to invest more than $8 million to launch its Michigan operations in St. Clair. The project is expected to create 822 new Michigan jobs, including 250 directly by the company over a 5 year period. Based on the MEDC’s recommendation, the MEGA board today approved a state tax credit valued at $1.3 million over seven years to help convince the company to expand in Michigan over competing sites in Illinois, Missouri and Iowa. The Macomb/St. Clair County Michigan Works office plans to provide employee training assistance valued at $49,995 and the City of St. Clair is transferring existing property tax abatements to EPC to support the project.

Pulte Homes, Inc. – The Michigan-based company, one of the nation’s largest homebuilding companies with operations in 50 markets and 27 states, plans to invest approximately $10 million to expand operations in Oakland County. The project, which involves creating a national financial services center to consolidate much of the company’s accounting back office functions into one location, is expected to create up to 682 new Michigan jobs, including as many as 350 directly by the company over the next several years. Based on the MEDC’s recommendation, the MEGA board today approved a state tax credit valued at approximately $10.1 million over 12 years to help convince the company to bring the project to Michigan over competing sites in other states. Oakland County Michigan Works has proposed providing employee training to support the project. In addition, the MEDC is considering up to $100,000 through the Economic Development Job Training program.

ESI North America, Inc. – The leading engineering software and services provider for the simulation of prototype and manufacturing processes plans to invest approximately $4.4 million to expand operations at their site in Bloomfield Hills and eventually relocate to a larger facility within Oakland County. The company, ESI North America, uses realistic material physics to provide “as good as real” virtual solutions, in order to replace the lengthy trial and error processes on real prototypes. The company’s growth plan is targeted on expanding outside of the automotive industry, and into the aerospace, solar energy, fuel cell and nuclear markets. The proposed expansion is expected to create 226 new Michigan jobs, including 110 directly associated with the company. Based on the MEDC’s recommendation, the MEGA board approved a state tax credit valued at $2.8 million on Monday, November 24th. The tax credit was a major factor in convincing the company to expand in Michigan, rather than a competing site in Alabama. In addition, Oakland County is considering providing job training funding to support the project. The MEDC is also offering additional job training funds of up to $50,000 through the Economic Development Job Training program.

Carlton Creek Ironworks, LLC – The leading North American provider of gray and ductile iron commercial castings for construction, marine and machine tool industries plans to expand capacity at its operations in Rothbury to support the production of high-grade ductile windmill iron required by windmill castings. The company will invest approximately $10.3 million in the project, which is expected to create 187 new Michigan jobs, including 70 directly by the company. Based on the MEDC’s recommendation, the MEGA board today approved a state tax credit valued at $1.6 million over 10 years. The village of Rothbury has approved a 12-year tax credit valued at $180,159 to support the project.

Howa USA Holdings, Inc. – The Japan-based company specializing in the development, production and sales of automotive interior products plans to invest approximately $712,000 in a new R&D center in Novi. The R&D center will be the Howa Group’s first engineering facility in the U.S. and will also serve as Howa USA’s headquarters. Granholm met with company executives in Japan during her investment mission to the country in September to encourage them to expand in Michigan. The project is expected to create 52 new Michigan jobs, including 25 directly by the company. Based on the MEDC’s recommendation, the MEGA board today approved a state tax credit valued at $457,000 over seven years. Oakland County has proposed job training assistance to support the project.

Conner Creek Village Development Corporation – A $5.5 million brownfield state tax credit will assist developer Connor Creek Village Development Corporation continue the transformation of the former St. Johns Community Hospital campus into the Conner Creek Village Campus, a walkable community center focused on primary and urgent health care, free office space for social programs and community groups, job training and affordable housing. The two-phase portion of the project eligible for the brownfield tax credit includes reducing the commercial footprint of the existing building from 370,000 square feet to 180,000 square feet (phase 1) and the construction of 90 townhomes (phase 2). The project is expected to generate $33 million in new capital investment and create 25 new jobs.

City of Sturgis/Kirsch Industrial Park LLC – State and local tax capture valued at $15.8 million and a brownfield state tax credit worth $2 million will support the redevelopment of the former Kirsch Manufacturing Plant in the city of Sturgis. The vacant and functionally obsolete one million-square-foot facility will be rehabilitated and renovated for light industrial, manufacturing, warehousing and commercial use. The first phase of the four-phase project, will enable Iceberg Enterprises to expand its operations by utilizing approximately one-quarter of the renovated building. Additional phases will be completed as additional tenants are identified. The project is expected to create 600 new jobs and generate $16 million in new capital investment.

City of Saginaw/Rifkin Scrap Iron and Metal Company – State and local tax capture valued at $282,800 will support the relocation and expansion of Rifkin Scrap Iron and Metal Company in Saginaw. The company plans to invest over $18 million in the project, which will include relocating from its current site on Niagara Street to North Washington Avenue and construct a new headquarters, warehouse, maintenance facility, scales, parking lots, new equipment and landscaping. Rifkin will demolish and remove all structures, equipment and personal property from its current site and make way for new mixed-use development along the riverfront. The project is expected to retain 61 jobs and create 15.

City of Wyoming/Morrison Investment Group – State and local tax capture will support the redevelopment of a blighted building located at 4599 Herman SW in Wyoming to be used as a work area for Control Tech Manufacturing (CTM), a division of Cisco Inc. Morrison Investment Group will own the property and lease it to CTM. A new roof, office area, work area and clean room will be constructed as part of the redevelopment. The project is expected to create 20 new jobs and generate up to $250,000 in new capital investment.

Check out our front-page for more news on this and other breaking announcements!

This week’s radio address wraps up the Mid-East jobs mission, and also talks about the on-going debate in Congress concerning help for the automakers.

This is Governor Jennifer Granholm.

A week ago, I departed on my seventh overseas mission, to bring investment and new jobs to Michigan – this time to the Middle East.

It was a great trip.

My team and I met with companies that specialize in the same kinds of industries that we are working to create here in Michigan – alternative energy, homeland security, medical technology and more.

These companies, like Better Place in Israel which is working on the electric car and Millennium Solar in Jordan which can power entire factories using solar power, are already successful in the Middle East. Now, they want access to the North American market and thanks to our visit, they now know Michigan is the perfect place to make that happen.

We have the workforce and manufacturing expertise that is a perfect fit for these types of companies. Our team made a strong case for Michigan and I believe that in the coming months, we will have a number of exciting jobs announcements.

We also signed an historic agreement with Israel – a joint declaration of strategic cooperation for creating jobs in water technology. Israel and Michigan share a commitment to protecting the world’s water and this first-of-its-kind agreement commits us to collaborating to find new methods for keeping our water clean, using it to create renewable energy, and allowing water re-use for generations to come. But as positive as this jobs mission was, this was a difficult week to be so far from Michigan.

The on-going debate in Congress about help for our automakers is not only critical to the economic health of Michigan and the entire country, but also to our ability to achieve energy independence and maintaining our national security.

That’s why, while our economic team continued its work in the Middle East, I returned earlier than planned to join our outstanding team at work in Washington. Senators Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow and our House delegation led by Congressmen Sandy Levin and John Dingell are fighting to protect our auto industry, our families, and our economy, and I am proud to lend my voice to their efforts.

Though it was disappointing to see Congressional leaders postpone action on a much-needed loan for auto companies, I was encouraged to hear their strong commitment to helping them avoid bankruptcy. They recognize, as I do, that far too many families and communities depend on this critical sector. We cannot simply walk away from it.

It’s been a tough week, but the people of Michigan are tougher. This nation is headed toward a new alternative energy economy and Michigan will be at the center of it. We are committed to fighting for a economic future that includes healthy auto companies producing the next generation of vehicles right here in the United States, whether those vehicles are fuel efficient, gas-powered, or battery-powered, or electric-powered, or hybrid.

Thank you for listening.

Wednesday began early for our team with a 7 a.m. flight to Amman, Jordan for the last leg of our 2008 Middle East jobs and investment mission. As we flew into Queen Alia Airport, the dramatic change in terrain became clear. Where Israel is lush and green sitting right on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea, Jordan is desert. Amman, the ancient capital of the Hashemite Kingdom, has sandstone architecture, olive and banana trees, but none of the trees and greenery that Americans are used to. It is a truly beautiful and historic place.

After a briefing at the U.S. Embassy on Jordan and U.S. relations, we were off for meetings with Catalyst Private Equity, a venture capital firm, and Millenium Energy Industries, an alternative energy company that is doing cutting edge work with solar energy. The projects they have underway include a local chocolate factory that is powered by solar energy, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and a Jordache Jeans factory — the Millenium executives even had some delicious “solar chocolates” for us to taste from the factory.

Millenium Energy is looking to approach the U.S. market by putting some pilot projects in the states and also possibly expanding with a manufacturing site back home too – we made the case for why Michigan is the perfect gateway to North America. We made sure they knew about our great workforce, our world-class universities and our new energy package which makes it easier for alternative energy companies to anchor and create jobs in our state. The meeting was very promising and I look forward to a future partnership with the company.

I was also honored to be welcomed by His Majesty King Abdullah II. The gracious Jordanian King invited us to the palace where we had the chance to discuss future partnerships between Michigan and Jordan in the areas of alternative energy and water-reuse technology. His Majesty is truly committed to education, focused on a well-educated work force and a knowledge-based economy – like we are in Michigan and we talked of a possible university collaboration.

This afternoon we enjoyed a wonderful traditional meal with Dr. Haifa Fakhouri, President and CEO of the Arab American and Chaldean Council, with her family. The courses never stopped coming — from the wonderful hummus, to falafel, lamb and fish, Spicy Red pepper dip and Garlic dip — it was an unforgettable meal.

This has been a wonderful, encouraging week. We have been welcomed by leaders and dignitaries, business leaders and entrepreneurs. And we have seen the tremendous potential for partnerships and investment that will bring jobs to Michigan. By the end of this week our team will have been in 3 countries, holding 48 meetings, talking with well over 130 companies.

While our team is continuing with their work here, I am ending my trip sooner than planned. I am leaving Jordan tonight to be in Washington, D.C. tomorrow as Congress continues its discussions about critical help for our automakers. The decisions they make will impact jobs and our economy, as well as our nation’s ability to achieve energy independence and to ensure our national security. I’m proud to be part of a great team, including Senators Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow and Congressmen John Dingell and Sandy Levin, to fight for Michigan’s families, Michigan’s economy and Michigan’s future.

Tuesday brought more beautiful weather and a full schedule of company meetings in Israel.

We were up early and at it again pitching Michigan during a breakfast meeting in Jerusalem with technology company Powermat.  Imagine being able to lay your cell phone on your desk or put your Ipod on the counter at home to charge them.  This cutting-edge company has created an electric mat that will do just that – on your desk, nightstand, conference room table, or even your wall.  The company’s goal is to manage energy and eliminate waste, which matches Michigan’s energy goals perfectly.  Powermat is collaborating with a hi-tech Michigan-based company and is scheduled for a January announcement in Michigan with the potential to create several hundred new jobs.
 

From there, we left Jerusalem for an afternoon of meetings in Haifa — a city north of Tel Aviv on the Mediterranean.  On our journey, we passed through the Carmel Mountains — a wine-growing region also known for its many artist colonies.  Haifa was breathtaking — situated high above the sea. Anyone who loves wine country in California would feel right at home here.
 
Our meetings in Haifa were with companies in our targeted sectors to diversify our economy.  They included Senso Optics, a homeland security and defense company that creates technology like lenses used for airport security, border control, and sensors for day and night vision.  And Multi Gene Vascular Systems — a life sciences company that is doing work with gene therapy to remove blockage and open up arteries in the legs and heart.  They are looking at having a presence in Michigan in the next 6-12 months.  And we met with HBR Labs, a web-based software company that has committed to opening their Michigan operation by the end of this year.  These companies and their interest in investment in Michigan means jobs and growth at home. 
 
Our last meeting of the day was with the #1 homeland security and defense company in Israel, Elbit Israel.  It’s a $2.4 billion dollar company that makes up 40 percent of all the homeland security and defense-based sales in the country.  The company already has a U.S. presence – Elbit North America – and their chairman, Joe Parini who is from Grand Rapids, helped to coordinat this meeting for us.  It was a productive meeting, and we had the chance to talk about all of Michigan’s advantages, including TACOM and our auto industry.  As Elbit North America considers its next expansion, we’ll continue to make the case for why Michigan is the perfect place for it to be.
 
Now, it’s off to our final business event in Israel at the home of U.S. Ambassador to Israel James Cunningham.  Ambassador Cunningham has graciously offered to host a reception for business and industry leaders as well as a number of Michiganians who are in the country.
 
Tomorrow, we head to Jordan where we’ll continue to talk about all that Michigan has to offer companies looking to invest and grow internationally.

It was another full day of meetings on my second day in Israel! This morning we made the 70 kilometer trek from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. There were many morning commuters on the road as we made our way through the rolling Judeau hills.  As a person of faith, arriving in Jerusalem is a truly incredible experience.  The history, beautiful architecture and the olive trees reminds you of the unique history of this place.
 


Our first meeting was with the Prime Minister of Israel, Ehud Olmert.  He was very interested in our economic plan and what the future holds for Michigan in the 21st century.  He was so pleased to hear that we would be signing a joint declaration of strategic cooperation on water technologies, with Israel later in the morning. Like me, the Prime Minister believes that Michigan has the resources and Israel has the technology to create great synergy on this important issue. The Prime Minister is no stranger to Michigan, having visited friends in the Detroit area many times.  He’s even had the chance to take in a Pistons game!
 
Later in the morning, we joined with Israel’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry, Trade and Labor to sign a Joint Declaration of Strategic Cooperation, a partnership between Israel and Michigan.  This new partnership will include a working group that will focus on innovative technology to increase energy efficiency, improve water quality, and increase water reuse.  Like the joint agreement we signed with Sweden to work on biofuels, this holds great potential for new jobs in Michigan. 
 
This afternoon we stopped in for a visit at the Frankel School in Jerusalem.  Michigan native, Stanley Frankel operates the school. We were greeted warmly by the children who were waving Israel flags and American flags while singing traditional Jewish music. And I was honored to have a chance to tour Old Jerusalem and lay a wreath at Yad Vashem, the Jewish communities memorial to those victimized by the Holocaust. The ceremony touched us all and reminded us that we must never forget the horrifying experience of the Holocaust, lest it be repeated.
 
With all that is happening in the economy and as the debate over the future of the auto industry continues in Congress, our time in Israel has been a renewal of hope.   Not that long ago, this country faced similar economic challenges to what Michigan is experiencing now. They were reliant on agriculture and needed to diversify their economy. In the last decade, they have honed in on homeland security and defense and water technologies and have strengthened their economy, created thousands of new jobs and lowering their unemployment rate.  A reminder that we are on the right path in Michigan.  We must continue to work our plan, fight for the future of our auto industry and manufacturing sector and create jobs in places where Michigan has a natural advantage like alternative energy and homeland security.  And that’s exactly what we’re going to do …
 
Stay tuned for more from the Middle East tomorrow…

ABOVE: Shai Agassi showing me the battery in the Better Place vehicle

Shalom from Israel! I write to you from the Middle East where I am on my seventh overseas jobs and investment mission – part of my strategy to go anywhere, do anything to diversify our economy and bring jobs home to Michigan.

After just barely catching our plane, we embarked on a 10-hour flight to Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv. We were greeted in Tel Aviv by many friendly faces and lots of sunshine! (Sorry for those of you who may be seeing the first snow of the season.) Once we settled into our hotel, I worked off my jet lag with a jog along the blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea – a beautiful day for a run. Saturdays are reserved for the Sabbath, which is the weekly day of rest and worship in the Jewish community, so many businesses were closed. There were families enjoying time together on the beach – children flying brightly colored kites, men playing paddleball in the sand, and boardwalk cafes filled with patrons taking in the sunny November afternoon. At the end of my jog, I stuck my feet in the water and really took it all in – the sights, the people, the skyline, and the sea. Last night, our team enjoyed a welcome dinner at Deca, a restaurant in Tel Aviv. The food was delicious: fish falafel, cucumber salad with yogurt dressing, grilled salmon; and the sweet melon crepes for dessert really hit the spot! With a long, tiring journey behind us, we were refreshed and ready to pitch our Michigan story.

ABOVE: Talking with Perrigo Executive VP and President of Perrigo Israel Rafi Lebel

This morning, we were up early for a business breakfast with the Deloitte partners of Israel. They provided a briefing on the possibilities of Israeli alternative energy and homeland security opportunities that Michigan may be able to hone in on. Then we were off to the headquarters of Perrigo Israel for a meeting with Rafi Lebel, Perrigo’s executive vice-president who is also president of Perrigo Israel, and his team. Perrigo is a health sciences company that already has a strong presence in West Michigan. They announced a $25 million expansion last summer that was supported by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Rafi said they are at capacity in West Michigan and are looking to possibly expand again. We thanked the company for their continued commitment to Michigan and also encouraged their future growth in the Great Lakes State. We have the infrastructure and beautiful lab space already in place, and I let Rafi know that we are ready to help them grow their business and grow new jobs right now. Michigan and Perrigo already have a great working relationship, but this trip is all about continuing to build on our link with business in Israel and attracting new jobs and growth in the future.

ABOVE: Test driving the battery-electric Better Place vehicle

Our next meeting was with Shai Agassi, a brilliant entrepreneur and CEO of Better Place, a company that is working fervently to electrify the car. In January 2008, the Israeli government announced its support for a broad effort to promote the use of electric cars, embracing a joint venture with Better Place. Shai is also building the stations in Israel where batteries for cars can be recharged and is expanding this effort in countries around the world. We want to reduce our state’s and our nation’s dependence on foreign oil, and the advanced battery has the potential to do just that. We talked about future partnerships that might be viable for Michigan, and in Michigan, we know that new energy means new jobs. Later in the afternoon, we met with Inspire Invest, a venture capital firm in Tel Aviv, and this evening, I spoke at an automotive seminar and reception hosted by the Michigan Israel Business Bridge and the Israel Export Institute where I discussed business and research opportunities with CEOs of companies and suppliers that are looking to grow and expand.

Overall, it was a busy day full of promise and prospective jobs for Michigan. Stay tuned for more news on our meetings and travels tomorrow as we head to Jerusalem to continue telling Michigan’s story.

This week’s radio address gives us a preview of the companies and industries the governor will visit on her seven-day jobs mission to the Middle East.

Hello. This is Governor Jennifer Granholm.

This week, I continue my commitment to go anywhere and do anything to create jobs for Michigan as I embark on my seventh international jobs and investment mission – this time to the Middle East.

With my economic team, I will be traveling to Israel and Jordan to meet with CEOs and leaders in alternative energy, homeland security, water preservation technology, and advanced automotive research – all industries that are primed to invest right here in Michigan. In total, our team will travel to three countries, where we’ll hold 48 meetings to meet with as many as 130 companies.

My pitch to these companies is simple: If you want a world-class workforce, if you want flexible and extensive economic development incentives, if you want a great business climate and outstanding quality of life, then Michigan is your place to invest.

My previous investment missions to Germany, Austria, Japan, and Sweden have resulted in 42 companies announcing over $944 million in new investment and the creation or retention of more than 10,600 jobs here in Michigan.

On this seven-day mission, we will lay the groundwork for new jobs and investment, and there is great opportunity for both in Israel and Jordan. Israel is a world-leader in homeland security and water preservation technology development and has a unique mix of industries that closely parallel the industries we want to grow in Michigan.

To maximize Michigan’s unique opportunity to lead the world in alternative energy development, we will meet with a number of companies who can help us meet that goal, including Project Better Place in Israel, a company building battery-powered vehicles. We’ll meet with Powermat, a high-tech Israeli company bringing efficient wireless electricity to surfaces, including walls, tables, floors and desktops; and we’ll meet with Millennium Solar- a Jordanian company that is using solar energy to power all kinds of devices. I will also meet with the U.S. Ambassador to Israel and several other government officials to promote all that Michigan has to offer to companies creating new energy jobs here.

While in Israel, we will also take a close look at that country’s water re-use technology. Water re-use is a major issue throughout the Middle East due to limited water resources, and Israel has developed innovative ways to make the best use of their short supply. So, Michigan’s location on the Great Lakes makes us the ideal partner to Israel on this issue to create technology jobs here as we protect our own water.

And as our automotive industry leaders continue to make tough decisions in the face of an evolving global economy and massive restructuring, it is critical that we diversify our industrial base. As I have said time and again, Michigan’s economic future depends on the jobs we create, retain, and attract, and that is why I will continue to go anywhere, and do anything to fight for every Michigan worker and every Michigan job.

Thank you for listening.

Here are a few of the other companies and officials the governor’s team will meet with while overseas:

They also will meet with senior representatives from companies such as Perrigo, the world’s largest manufacturer of over-the-counter pharmaceuticals and nutritional products; Inspire Invest, a venture capital company whose portfolio includes Michigan defense firm Burtek Inc.; Senso Optics, a high-tech, electro-optics company that develops and manufactures products for the homeland security, defense and medical device industries; and Multi Gene Vascular Systems, a clinical-stage biotech company.

Additionally, Granholm will meet with the U.S. Ambassador to Israel and other government officials in both Jordan and Israel. The governor is expected to sign a memorandum of understanding on water re-use technology with Israeli government officials on Monday. She will also deliver remarks at the second annual Michigan-Israel Business Bridge Automotive Partnership event, where Israeli automotive suppliers and technology companies, including those in the renewable energy sector, will come together to discuss possibilities for expansion in collaboration with Michigan.

Now more than ever, it is so important that we work to bring new energy and other high-growth industries into the state to help diversify Michigan’s economy. Stay tuned for updates from the Middle East mission!

November 11th is Veterans Day. The week’s radio address reminds us to take some time to remember and thank our brave men and women who have made the commitment and the sacrifice to serve our country.

This is Governor Jennifer Granholm.

This Veterans Day, I hope all Michigan citizens will take a moment to recognize and thank Michigan’s brave service men and women, past and present. Serving in the armed forces is a great calling on behalf of our nation. From the Civil War to the World Wars to more recent conflicts across the globe, countless Michigan citizens have answered that call to duty. Today, thousands of Michigan soldiers, sailors, Marines, and those serving in the Air Force and the Coast Guard have answered that call in service to all of us.

Once again this year, our Michigan National Guard has provided outstanding service to both our state and our nation. Nearly 2,000 soldiers and airmen have deployed overseas where they provided base and convoy security with the Iraqi military police, contributed medical support in Iraq and administrative support in Kuwait. They’ve trained the Afghani army in everything from military tactics to establishing a successful civilian government.

The Michigan National Guard also responded to Hurricane Ike by providing aircraft support to our neighbors to the south. Michigan Army National Guard helicopters worked around the clock delivering food, water and medical supplies to those in need, many who lost everything during the storms.

Members of the Michigan National Guard also participated in numerous state and federal emergency response exercises this year to prepare for emergencies ranging from snow storms and tornados to a chemical spill or a terrorist attack. These exercises, carried out in cities from Sault Ste. Marie to Detroit, included large and small local, state and federal agencies.

Also this year, the Michigan National Guard deployed the largest formation in Michigan’s history: 960 soldiers from infantry and cavalry units across the state deployed together, headed to Iraq for a security and training mission. Later in their deployment, the Michiganians handed off security responsibility for Anbar province to the Iraqi authorities – a huge accomplishment.

To date, 168 Michigan men and women in uniform have given their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan, and many, many more have been wounded in combat. These men and women, and those serving, and the families who sacrifice so much, will continue to be in our prayers.

I was honored to visit Michigan’s brave men and women in Iraq three years ago and have been proud to be a part of their deployment and homecoming ceremonies. Despite the danger they face, these soldiers always express more concern for the loved ones they leave behind than for themselves.

On this Veterans Day, let’s all say thank you to our brave members of the armed forces. Thank you for your sacrifices, thank you for your commitment to Michigan, thank you for your commitment to the United States of America.

God bless you and thank you for listening.

Consistent with Executive Order 2006-10 issued by the governor and the requirements of federal law, flags throughout Michigan should be displayed at half-staff on the morning of Veterans’ Day, November 11, 2008. Federal law provides that flags should be displayed at half-staff on Veterans’ Day until noon only, then raised to the top of the staff.