I’m back…with more great news about the future of our state.  I have been traveling around the state each and every day to tell Michigan residents about my plan – the most detailed and aggressive plan in the nation to create jobs today and jobs tomorrow – and today brought another example that shows the plan is beginning to work.
 
I am so excited to announce that ePrize, an interactive promotion agency, has chosen to grow in Michigan.  They are expanding their operations with the help of the Charter One Job Creation Loan Program, an initiative that is just one part of my comprehensive economic plan.  The state of Michigan has teamed up with Charter One to offer below-market rate loans to companies that commit to creating jobs or expanding in Michigan.
 
ePrize, the world’s largest international, interactive promotion agency, has managed more than 2,200 advertising campaigns in 36 countries for some of the world’s most recognized brands, including Coca-Cola, P&G, DaimlerChrysler, and Dell.  They will borrow $10 million to expand the company’s workforce to accommodate growing demands for the company’s services.  They will receive a low 4.99 percent loan and through their own efforts, ePrize will create 450 new, full-time jobs over the next three years; great news for our eager Michigan workers!
 
As we continue on this journey filled with economic challenges, we must begin to take the road less traveled; a road where ethanol and battery operated cars are running; a road called Diverse Way, where careers in alternative energy, life sciences, homeland security and advanced manufacturing are plentiful.  Skeptics may call this road a dream, but in Michigan, this dream is becoming a reality, with innovative companies like Google and ePrize landing right here on our turf.  The critical need to diversify Michigan’s economy has been recognized for decades.  Now is the time to forge ahead…