Great news for Michigan! Recently, Ford Motor Company has announced that they are investing $135 million to design, engineer and produce key components for its next-generation hybrid-electric vehicles in Michigan. These vehicles will go into production in 2012. Ford states that Michigan will become its “center of excellence for vehicle electrification” and will add 170 combined green technology jobs at the Rawsonville and Van Dyke Transmission plants, as well as 50 electric vehicle engineer jobs. In an article posted on the Ford website, Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm stated, “Today’s announcement by Ford represents another step forward in moving Michigan from the Rust Belt to the Green Belt by investing in green technology and creating green jobs.”
Ford’s Van Dyke Transmission plant will produce a new electric-drive trans-axle for the new hybrids; this will move work to Michigan that is currently performed by a supplier in Japan. Ford’s Rawsonville Plant in Ypsilanti, Michigan will begin to assemble the battery packs in 2012—moving work to Michigan that is currently performed in Mexico.
The new hybrids are part of Ford’s plan to launch five electric vehicle models in the United States by 2012 and in Europe by 2013. I will be looking forward to the impact on our environment as well as our economy in the coming years.
Read the full article here.
Showing posts with label michigan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label michigan. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
2 Years After Tax Law, Michigan's Making Movies
In the two years since the State of Michigan offered the movie industry some of the largest tax incentives in history, over 80 film and television productions have taken place. The Associated Press examined how the state is adjusting to this new popular industry and its economic benefits.
Since the measure became law on April 7, 2008, 89 movie or TV productions have been completed. Hotels, caterers and others getting some spin-off business can't wait for the industry to expand.
But some lawmakers are questioning whether Michigan is getting its money's worth.
The tax credit program is projected to cost the state nearly $69 million for projects completed in 2009, not counting incentives given for permanent infrastructure projects, according to the Michigan Film Office. The potential annual bill is higher — more than $100 million — but some projects weren't finished and won't get the tax credits.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Michigan May Owe GM $116M In Tax Refunds
From the Associated Press:
General Motors Corp. may get tax refunds totaling $116 million after a judge ruled for the automaker in its dispute with the state.
Ingham County Circuit Judge Rosemarie Aquilina on Friday declared unconstitutional a 2007 Michigan law that retroactively made GM pay use taxes on vehicles driven by employees for testing and marketing.
The automaker claimed it unnecessarily paid taxes on demonstration vehicles for more than a decade.
The Department of Treasury denied GM's request for refunds, pointing to the 2007 law.
The judge ruled GM is exempt from paying use taxes on vehicles used for demonstration purposes. She next will determine what GM is owed.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
4,000 Protest Taxes & Spending at Michigan Capitol
From The Associated Press:
About 4,000 people protested government bailouts and tax increases outside the Michigan Capitol.
The featured speaker at Wednesday afternoon's protest was Samuel "Joe the Plumber" Wurzelbacher, who made news during the presidential campaign when he asked Barack Obama about taxes.
Wurzelbacher urged activists to push for "commonsense" tax and spending policies.
The "tea party" was one of many being held around the country on the last day to file federal income tax returns.
Activists say government is borrowing too much money to bail out corporations. More people showed up than expected by anti-tax groups organizing the event.
The Capitol's director of facility operations made his crowd estimate by measuring how far the crowd extended out from the Capitol steps.
About 4,000 people protested government bailouts and tax increases outside the Michigan Capitol.
The featured speaker at Wednesday afternoon's protest was Samuel "Joe the Plumber" Wurzelbacher, who made news during the presidential campaign when he asked Barack Obama about taxes.
Wurzelbacher urged activists to push for "commonsense" tax and spending policies.
The "tea party" was one of many being held around the country on the last day to file federal income tax returns.
Activists say government is borrowing too much money to bail out corporations. More people showed up than expected by anti-tax groups organizing the event.
The Capitol's director of facility operations made his crowd estimate by measuring how far the crowd extended out from the Capitol steps.
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