LANSING – State Representative Lisa Brown (D-West Bloomfield) hailed today's announcement that state tax credits will protect 72 engineering jobs by ensuring Williams International Co. of Commerce Township renovates and upgrades its facility in Commerce rather than moving the jobs to its Utah location.
"This is great news for Commerce Township and Michigan as a whole," Brown said. "In these tough economic times, we cannot afford to lose a single job to other states and countries. In order to jumpstart our economy we have to do all we can to retain and create good-paying jobs and move Michigan forward."
The Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) Board approved nearly $1.5 million in tax credits over five years for the company, which manufactures small gas turbine engines used in military, industrial and commercial aircraft applications. Williams International Co. plans to invest $12 million to renovate and upgrade its facility in Commerce Township. These renovations will allow the company to keep the jobs in Michigan rather than relocating them to Utah. According to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), the average weekly wage of the retained jobs is $1,709 or nearly $90,000 per year.
Today, the MEDC also announced that it is issuing tax credits to Xtreme Power and Clairvoyant Energy, which are expected to anchor a cutting-edge energy park at the Wixom Ford Plant. Legislation championed by Brown that granted Xtreme Power the tax credits was signed into law earlier this month. Texas-based Xtreme Power is a manufacturer of large-scale commercial batteries and California-based Clairvoyant Energy manufactures solar panels. The two companies will create at least 3,250 jobs directly as well as attract spin-off jobs and investment.
"I'm thrilled the MEGA credits were approved and the project is moving forward," Brown said. "Reopening the doors of the Wixom plant is an important step to turning around Michigan's economy. By looking to industries like alternative energy, we can create good-paying jobs in high-tech industries and get people back to work."