LANSING – A new round of tax-incentive-driven business expansions announced on Tuesday includes a more than $838 million investment by General Motors for production of its Volt electric vehicle, but the auto giant has not yet made its decision on where it will locate the facilities.

Governor Jennifer Granholm said the $132.5 million in state tax breaks, combined with potential federal assistance in a proposed $25 billion loan program, are “significant” incentives that she hopes will land the production in Michigan. She said she expects a decision very soon, adding, “I hope this will push them over the line.”

The project would mean Michigan would retain 3,723 jobs, with new investments in GM plants in Hamtramck, Pontiac, Bay City and Warren and a new plant proposed for a brownfield site in Flint.

The MEDC incentives include $122.5 million in a 15-year state tax credit and $10 million in a brownfield tax credit. Flint, Pontiac and Bay City have approved local property tax abatements.

The company is considering sites in other states, but it did issue a promising statement saying it was pleased with the MEDC action. “”This approval sends a positive message to us and strengthens the business case for possible investments at the proposed sites,” GM Group Vice President Gary Gowger said. “This proposed project embodies GM’s goal to lead in new advances in automotive development and would bring state of the art advanced vehicle technology to Michigan.”

It was one of 18 planned or potential projects which were awarded credits by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation on Tuesday to help spur over $1 billion in investments and creation of 3,578 jobs directly by the companies separate from the potential GM jobs.

One of the potential projects is a $3 million investment by Japan-based Hino Motors Manufacturing, which the governor said is a payoff of her trade trip to Japan last week. The company, which was given a $503,000 seven-year tax credit, is considering an expansion of its facilities in Farmington Hills.

The governor said her administration is “battling every day” in a tough national and global economy to counter expectations of economists that Michigan will not see a net gain in jobs until 2010. She said she is hoping to not only see such a gain before then, but that many jobs will be in new sectors that will not be outsourced.

The governor said it is exciting to see the growth in West Michigan in the medical/pharmaceutical areas.

MEDC President James Epolito said the agency has adopted a “can-do attitude and we’ve adopted a can-do attitude in a time that is very difficult to operate in.”

Eying the $700 billion Wall Street rescue plan that federal officials are crafting, Granholm called for a second economic stimulus package as one way to also help “people on the ground” who are facing foreclosures and as well as extended benefits as many areas deal with high unemployment rates.

Other projects MEDC gave assistance to for companies already deciding their plans were:

Ohio-based Consolidated Biscuit for a $12 million manufacturing center in Tecumseh where it will employ 500 persons. It was provided a $5.4 million 10-year tax credit.

Chicago-based Accretive Health for expansions of Detroit and Kalamazoo facilities where it will add 650 jobs. It was provided a $5.4 million seven-year tax credit.

Bissell for a $9 million expansion and opening of an innovation center in Walker where it will add 106 jobs. It was provided a $2.4 million tax credit.

Genesis Seating for a $9.1 million expansion in Kentwood, Cascade Township and Spring Lake Township for furniture operations that will add 233 jobs. It was provided a $2 million 10-year tax credit.

San Diego-based Sequenom for a $20.3 million project creating 523 jobs at a research facility in Grand Rapids. It was provided a $10 million 12-year tax credit.

Premier Tool & Die Cast for a new $4.2 million facility in Dowagiac where it will create 62 jobs. It was provided a $553,000 seven-year tax credit.

A2 Media for a $2.7 million expansion of marketing/communications facilities in Ann Arbor where it will create 63 jobs. It was provided a $1.3 million 10-year tax credit.

Barracuda Networks for an expansion of research/development center in Ann Arbor. It was provided a $1.4 million eight-year tax credit.

Faurecia USA Holdings for a $23.3 million expansion of facilities in Auburn Hills where it will add 219 engineering, technical, professional, managerial and clerical jobs. It was provided a $2.7 million seven-year tax credit.

Plexus Systems for a $3.9 million expansion at two Auburn Hills locations where it will create 298 jobs. It was provided a $7.98 million 10-year tax credit.

AT&T Internet Services for a call center in Detroit where it will add 300 jobs. It was provided a $1 million five-year tax credit.

NYX for a corporate and manufacturing operation in Livonia where it will add 168 jobs. It was provided a $1.67 million six-year tax credit.

Post It Stables for a $72 million Pinnacle Race Course in Huron Township where it will create 71 jobs. It was provided a $982,000 10-year tax credit – the first under changes in state law making tourist and lodging facilities eligible for credits – and a $5.3 million brownfield credit.

Carbone of America for an $11.5 million expansion of its facilities in Bay City where it will add 65 jobs. It was provided a $1.3 million brownfield tax credit and $3 million in state and local tax capture.

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