Immediately after returning from California and her meetings with some major investors in the alternative energy field, Governor Granholm toured Dowding Industries in Eaton Rapids on Wednesday. Dowding is machining and fabricating company that makes the pieces for wind turbines, and just recently they were awarded a $9 million dollar bond from the MEDC for expansion.

The plant, to be known as Dowding Machining, LLC, is currently under construction. As the recipient of a $9 million Michigan Economic Development financing package, company President Chris Dowding said the new facility is expected to create approximately 200 jobs over the next five years.

Destined to be one of the largest machining centers in the nation, she said Dowding Machining will make bases and hubs for the windmill energy market. It is this “green” connection that led Dowding to be invited to join with approximately 10 other Michigan companies to help showcase the state’s alternative energy initiatives.

Dowding is investing $7.1 million on this expansion, and the offer from the state and Rep. Mike Simpson’s work on bringing that about convinced the company to choose Michigan over Iowa.

“With our manufacturers being hit hard by the forces of globalization, we need to focus on industries with growing demand, like alternative energy,” Granholm said. “Companies like Dowding Industries that are committed to sustainability and creating jobs are proof that investment in alternative energy has unmatched potential. We are going make sure that Michigan is the hub for that future growth and job creation.”

Dowding Machining company president Jeff Metts praised Simpson’s work, and pointed to the need for a RPS to help bring more companies and jobs to Michigan.

“Michigan is walking by a huge opportunity,” Metts said. “Michigan is number three in the country in potential to produce wind energy.”

He explained Michigan is rated 14th in the country for wind itself, but when one adds the state’s ability to make and distribute parts, its machining capabilities and it’s skilled labor force, it brings the state to number three in wind energy potential. Unfortunately, Metts said, the legislature can’t agree on the RPS issue.

Governor Granholm is urging the legislature to pass a renewable portfolio standard by the end of the year; perhaps they will see this incredible potential and get that done for us!

Eaton Rapids couldn’t be happier with this expansion, and hopes that this will attract more alternative energy companies to the area. Mayor Jamie Davidson-

The recognition of Dowding’s involvement in Governor Granholm’s Alternative Energy Meetings could be a good thing for the overall industrial picture here in Eaton Rapids. Mayor Davidson said he thinks alternative energy could become a key element in bringing even more companies to town.

“Now that we’ve expanded our southern industrial park, we’d like to find other small industries that are part of the alternative energy movement and see if we can encourage them to locate here,” Davidson said.

With one in four jobs expected to be in the alternative energy field by 2030, and Governor Granholm actively recruiting investment and alternative energy companies, that certainly is a possibility!

This series of meetings will continue into December, so stay tuned…

This entry was posted on Thursday, November 29th, 2007 at 11:25 am and is filed under Alternative Energy. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.