Lookee here. More jobs. Wonder how many jobs the "jobs maker" made today.
KENTWOOD -- In just seven months, Japanese-based Konica Minolta Graphic Imaging USA is growing like wildfire at its new American Litho subsidiary.
Earlier today, Gov. Jennifer Granholm was in Japan signing a deal for Konica Minolta's second expansion at its Kentwood plant, a $13.3 million investment creating 81 jobs.
That's on top of the $8.7 million and 30 jobs the company added after acquiring American Litho in October, when the company employed 45.
Granholm said today she and her delegation expect to meet with 70 Asian companies on this trip.
"Today we met with nine companies," Granholm said. Four of them are expected to open shop in Michigan, with an estimated investment of $30 million and 150 jobs. Konica Minolta is the largest of those.
"Many of them are very eager to develop a presence in the U.S.," Granholm said. "We're just helping them."
She meets Wednesday with Toyota Motor Corp., to renew her pitch for an engine or assembly plant here. Early today, Honda Motor Co. announced a new hunt for another U.S. assembly plant site.
"We didn't have them on our list for this visit," Granholm said. "But we're making a note of that."
And in my mailbox, coming soon to a news outlet near you, are the names of the rest of the companies planning to expand in Michigan.
• Heavy electrical equipment manufacturer Meiden America that plans to expand its Michigan presence. The company will open a new facility which is expected to create 50 new jobs and $10 million in private investment. The company currently employs seven people at their Novi office.
• Shikoku Cable Company that plans to expand its sales operations in Novi. The company manufactures coaxial cable for the satellite and cable television industry. The project is expected to invest $250,000 and create two new jobs.
• Automotive seating manufacturer Taichi-S that is planning to expand its existing engineering facility in Farmington Hills. The project is expected to create $700,000 in private investment and 20 new jobs. The company also operates a subsidiary know as Technotrim in Livonia that makes automotive seat covers.
Granholm also met with officials of Hitachi Automotive Products and Nippon Piston Ring. Both companies are currently expanding in Farmington Hills and Grand Haven, respectively. She announced the projects during her investment mission to Japan last July. Hitachi officials indicated they are looking to partner with Michigan businesses on upcoming projects and will be holding a seminar in Michigan this July to advance that goal.
You go girl.
Let's see, for May 16th, the total of jobs announced are:
Granholm 553
DeVos 0