Lansing, Michigan – Governor Gretchen Whitmer has finished a trip to several countries to get investments that would help Michigan’s economy. These investments will create hundreds of new jobs and bring in millions of dollars from other countries. The tour, which included stops in Singapore, Japan, and Germany, was mostly about making Michigan a center for sophisticated industries and forging deeper connections with other countries.
The governor said that the mission brought in 800 new employment, kept 175 current jobs, and brought in about $200 million in new investments. Whitmer stated that these results show that Michigan is still a good place for businesses to expand, even though trade problems and changing tariffs are still affecting worldwide markets.
The tour started in Singapore, which was the first time a Michigan governor had ever officially visited the country. While they were there, Whitmer and the Michigan team visited with the Economic Development Board of Singapore and talked to Enterprise Singapore. The crew also visited with University of Michigan graduates who live in the area and the country’s prime minister, who has ties to the university.
In Japan, the delegation deepened long-standing relationships by signing a Memorandum of Cooperation with Hitachi. The deal says that the two sides will work together in the fields of advanced manufacturing, energy infrastructure, data centers, and life sciences. There were also meetings with big Japanese companies that already have investments in Michigan, like DENSO, Subaru, Nissan, and Toyota. These businesses are important to the state’s efforts to build a skilled workforce and support the automotive supply chain. Whitmer also said that Astemo will open a new regional headquarters in Wixom and JR Automation will open its regional base in Zeeland.
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The tour ended in Germany, where Whitmer’s team met with industry experts at the IAA Mobility Conference in Munich. Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, and other big car companies, as well as certain suppliers that already do business in Michigan, were all part of the talks. One important result was American Rheinmetall’s decision to grow in the state, which is expected to create 450 new employment.
Quentin L. Messer, Jr., the head of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, said that reaching out to other countries is very important for keeping Michigan competitive. He said the trip showed how the state can bring in money while making sure that communities benefit from new chances.
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Whitmer said that direct contact with global partners would continue to be a top goal and that Michigan must keep fighting hard for investment. She noted that Michigan’s concentration on renewable energy, transportation, technology, and defense industries will keep the state’s economy growing and make sure that workers and families have a bright future.