LANSING – Touting the largest non-automotive jobs project in her time in office, Governor Jennifer Granholm said the 3,300 promised jobs in Kalamazoo by MPI Research will more than offset the losses that region suffered when Pfizer scaled back its pharmaceutical operations.

The governor said the announcement by the bioscience company, as well as Monday’s groundbreaking in Grand Rapids for an expanded Michigan State University medical school, are examples of the southwest part of the state working collaboratively and with a focus on a niche.

Aiding the MPI’s decision were tax breaks and incentives approved by the Michigan Economic Growth Authority, which also approved incentive packages to four other businesses. In total, the projects will add 9,013 direct jobs with the companies investing $468.3 million.

MPI Research is the largest of those, and its $330 million project includes renovation of two former buildings in downtown Kalamazoo which Pfizer had donated. The bulk of the investment by the company, which also has facilities in Pennsylvania and China, will be for expansion of its facilities in Mattawan.

Granholm characterized it as “phenomenal news. These companies are growing jobs here because our state has an outstanding workforce, a competitive business climate, and a great place to do business.”

Jeff Mason, senior vice president of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, said Michigan’s advantages are its workforce and access to markets. He said the new Michigan Business Tax, and business climate in general, are not the primary factors that companies consider.

MPI CEO William Parfet, who once was president of Upjohn, said the company is “fortunate to be in a growing industry and to have employees who demonstrate integrity, trust, and teamwork. We are proud of our Michigan heritage and thankful for the support we are receiving from our community and from the state of Michigan as we all work together to increase jobs in the state.”

William D. Johnston, chairman of Southwest Michigan First, which played a key role in the 18-month quest to put the deal together, said at the announcement in Kalamazoo, “What differentiates us is our refusal to let our destiny be controlled by events” such as plant closings and corporate downsizings in past years.

Rep. Tonya Schuitmaker (R-Lawton) said the project is an example of the coupling of entrepreneurship with private economic development and cooperation by all levels of government, including at the state level an “innovative business tax” and highway improvements.

“The elimination of hundreds of life science jobs by Pfizer over the past few years has left a tremendous pool of talented and experienced workers in our community,” she said.

The incentive package for MPI includes a MEGA-approved $86 million, 15-year state tax credit, support by the MEDC of a renaissance zone designation, and a $2 million 21st Century Jobs Fund grant to Western Michigan University. Additionally, the Department of Transportation will improve roads at and near the I-94 interchange to handle increased traffic.

Other projects announced Tuesday include:

? A $58.4 million expansion project by defense/aerospace company BAE Systems, which is adding 460 engineering and high-tech jobs in Sterling Heights for a prototyping and test facility. The MEGA approved a $22.1 million, 14-year tax credit and the MEDC approved a $460,000 job training grant.

? An expansion by Von Weise, which manufactures gear motors, linear actuators, blowers, starters and other industrial applications, as it relocates Indiana and Missouri operations to Eaton Rapids. Its $3.3 million investment, and transfer of $4 million in equipment, will create 159 direct jobs. It received a MEGA credit of $1.1 million over seven years and the MEDC plans to approve an $800,000 grant for machinery and equipment purchases.

? A $72 million thoroughbred race course in Huron Township, using state and local tax capture by the Wayne County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority. The Pinnacle is expected to create over 1,000 jobs.

? A $4.6 million development in Grand Rapids for construction of a building to be leased to Spectrum Health for a childcare and development center.

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