I just finished my trip to the Middle East, where I visited Israel and Dubai. You may have read my blog post about touting Michigan's Green Jobs for Blue Waters initiative in Israel, where I was able to secure commitments from two Israeli water technologycompanies to locate in Michigan. To be clear: we will never sell our water abroad; but rather will position Michigan as a center of excellence for global water technologies. As the world's thirst for increasingly scarce fresh water grows, we want Michigan to reap enormous economic benefits by becoming the home of businesses who sell technologies that assist other states in solving their water scarcity problems.
We set our sights high when it came to advanced battery technology in Michigan. We began by positioning Michigan to lead in advanced batteries just a few years ago, and the payoff was enormous. Michigan received $1.2 billion of the $2 billion that the Federal Government allocated for advanced battery research and development. This has resulted in a number of companies who will be manufacturing advanced batteries for the new generation electrical automotive engine making Michigan their home-- securing jobs for our future. I believe we can do the same with water technologies bringing even greater benefits to our state.
Following my stops in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, I travelled to Dubai, one of the largest and fastest growing cities in the Middle East. There, even this Wolverine was proud to be the first state official to visit MSU's Dubai campus (and yes, I heard the U-M/OSU score already!). I also visited the American University-Dubai where I addressed the class of Professor Youssef Beydoun. One of Professor Beydoun's students is from Saginaw Valley State University where she is studying for a degree in Political Science, specializing in International Relations. She expressed to me her concern for the future of the Michigan Promise which is assisting her in paying for her education.
Both schools are emerging as great educational institutions in Dubai. Students at MSU's Dubai campus frequently travel back to East Lansing for at least a semester of classes, and receive the same degrees as students here in Michigan - and also pay tuition back to MSU as well. MSU-Dubai is helping all MSU degrees obtain more international exposure and marketability, and I was pleased to be able to visit its campus.
After a long week on the road, I'm thankful to be back home in Clio for Thanksgiving, where I'll enjoy the company of good friends and family. I wish your family a safe and happy Thanksgiving!
This week I've been in Israel, on a trade mission to cultivate water technology economic development in Michigan. As co-chair of the joint Michigan-Israeli working group on water technology, I know there's great opportunity to diversify our economy and create jobs -- while leveraging our most precious natural resource, the Great Lakes.
I want to be clear: I am not proposing to sell Michigan's water. Companies seeking to use our water should locate here in Michigan -- where they can have all the water they need. Instead, through our Green Jobs for Blue Waters initiative, I want to position Michigan as North America's center of excellence for water technology. Right now, water technologies are a $500 billion global market -- but by 2020, that market is expected to grow to nearly $1 trillion. That means great opportunity for Michigan's economy -- and that is why we intend on seizing the opportunity, much as we did to become the Nation's leader in advanced battery technology.
Michigan's unique position in the water technology field proves we are at the forefront of this technology. Michigan's location in the middle of the Great Lakes, which contain about 20 percent of the world's supply of fresh water, has primed the state's successes in agriculture, tourism and the auto industry. We need to continue to protect water resources and use it wisely for economic development purposes that include retention of current businesses and the attraction of new ones.
We were the first state to sign an official agreement with Israel to develop water technologies for export in the United States. Due to its arid location, firms in Israel have a strong need to effectively and efficiently use their scarce water resources. Michigan is poised to help them do just that. With the Green Jobs for Blue Waters initiative, we can provide Israeli companies with the assistance they'll need to be successful in the U.S.. With our water resources and top-notch higher education system, we can provide the perfect environment for water technology research and development. And, with our hard-working advanced manufacturing base, we can improve products and bring them to market faster than ever.
I've had an opportunity to meet with a number of CEOs from water technology firms while in Israel, and spoke at the 5th Annual International Water Technologies & Environmental Control Exhibition in Tel Aviv yesterday. The meetings went well, and I'm excited for the work we will do in months to come to build Michigan's Blue Water Economy.
Together with Israel, I believe we can seize what is undoubtedly a historic moment. We can prove that protecting natural resources, promoting economic growth, and creating jobs of the future all go hand in hand -- and there's no better place to prove it than in Michigan.
WOOD TV (thus far) is only covering the pro-Israel rally that is taking place today in Grand Rapids, with zero mention of the pro-Palestinian rally also taking place today:
Tuesday brought more beautiful weather and a full schedule of company meetings in Israel.
We were up early and at it again pitching Michigan during a breakfast meeting in Jerusalem with technology company Powermat. Imagine being able to lay your cell phone on your desk or put your Ipod on the counter at home to charge them. This cutting-edge company has created an electric mat that will do just that - on your desk, nightstand, conference room table, or even your wall. The company's goal is to manage energy and eliminate waste, which matches Michigan's energy goals perfectly. Powermat is collaborating with a hi-tech Michigan-based company and is scheduled for a January announcement in Michigan with the potential to create several hundred new jobs.
From there, we left Jerusalem for an afternoon of meetings in Haifa -- a city north of Tel Aviv on the Mediterranean. On our journey, we passed through the Carmel Mountains -- a wine-growing region also known for its many artist colonies. Haifa was breathtaking -- situated high above the sea. Anyone who loves wine country in California would feel right at home here.
Our meetings in Haifa were with companies in our targeted sectors to diversify our economy. They included Senso Optics, a homeland security and defense company that creates technology like lenses used for airport security, border control, and sensors for day and night vision. And Multi Gene Vascular Systems -- a life sciences company that is doing work with gene therapy to remove blockage and open up arteries in the legs and heart. They are looking at having a presence in Michigan in the next 6-12 months. And we met with HBR Labs, a web-based software company that has committed to opening their Michigan operation by the end of this year. These companies and their interest in investment in Michigan means jobs and growth at home.
Our last meeting of the day was with the #1 homeland security and defense company in Israel, Elbit Israel. It's a $2.4 billion dollar company that makes up 40 percent of all the homeland security and defense-based sales in the country. The company already has a U.S. presence - Elbit North America - and their chairman, Joe Parini who is from Grand Rapids, helped to coordinat this meeting for us. It was a productive meeting, and we had the chance to talk about all of Michigan's advantages, including TACOM and our auto industry. As Elbit North America considers its next expansion, we'll continue to make the case for why Michigan is the perfect place for it to be.
Now, it's off to our final business event in Israel at the home of U.S. Ambassador to Israel James Cunningham. Ambassador Cunningham has graciously offered to host a reception for business and industry leaders as well as a number of Michiganians who are in the country.
Tomorrow, we head to Jordan where we'll continue to talk about all that Michigan has to offer companies looking to invest and grow internationally.
It was another full day of meetings on my second day in Israel! This morning we made the 70 kilometer trek from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. There were many morning commuters on the road as we made our way through the rolling Judeau hills. As a person of faith, arriving in Jerusalem is a truly incredible experience. The history, beautiful architecture and the olive trees reminds you of the unique history of this place.
Our first meeting was with the Prime Minister of Israel, Ehud Olmert. He was very interested in our economic plan and what the future holds for Michigan in the 21st century. He was so pleased to hear that we would be signing a joint declaration of strategic cooperation on water technologies, with Israel later in the morning. Like me, the Prime Minister believes that Michigan has the resources and Israel has the technology to create great synergy on this important issue. The Prime Minister is no stranger to Michigan, having visited friends in the Detroit area many times. He's even had the chance to take in a Pistons game!
Later in the morning, we joined with Israel's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry, Trade and Labor to sign a Joint Declaration of Strategic Cooperation, a partnership between Israel and Michigan. This new partnership will include a working group that will focus on innovative technology to increase energy efficiency, improve water quality, and increase water reuse. Like the joint agreement we signed with Sweden to work on biofuels, this holds great potential for new jobs in Michigan.
This afternoon we stopped in for a visit at the Frankel School in Jerusalem. Michigan native, Stanley Frankel operates the school. We were greeted warmly by the children who were waving Israel flags and American flags while singing traditional Jewish music. And I was honored to have a chance to tour Old Jerusalem and lay a wreath at Yad Vashem, the Jewish communities memorial to those victimized by the Holocaust. The ceremony touched us all and reminded us that we must never forget the horrifying experience of the Holocaust, lest it be repeated.
With all that is happening in the economy and as the debate over the future of the auto industry continues in Congress, our time in Israel has been a renewal of hope. Not that long ago, this country faced similar economic challenges to what Michigan is experiencing now. They were reliant on agriculture and needed to diversify their economy. In the last decade, they have honed in on homeland security and defense and water technologies and have strengthened their economy, created thousands of new jobs and lowering their unemployment rate. A reminder that we are on the right path in Michigan. We must continue to work our plan, fight for the future of our auto industry and manufacturing sector and create jobs in places where Michigan has a natural advantage like alternative energy and homeland security. And that's exactly what we're going to do ...
Stay tuned for more from the Middle East tomorrow...
ABOVE: Shai Agassi showing me the battery in the Better Place vehicle
Shalom from Israel! I write to you from the Middle East where I am on my seventh overseas jobs and investment mission - part of my strategy to go anywhere, do anything to diversify our economy and bring jobs home to Michigan.
After just barely catching our plane, we embarked on a 10-hour flight to Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv. We were greeted in Tel Aviv by many friendly faces and lots of sunshine! (Sorry for those of you who may be seeing the first snow of the season.) Once we settled into our hotel, I worked off my jet lag with a jog along the blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea - a beautiful day for a run. Saturdays are reserved for the Sabbath, which is the weekly day of rest and worship in the Jewish community, so many businesses were closed. There were families enjoying time together on the beach - children flying brightly colored kites, men playing paddleball in the sand, and boardwalk cafes filled with patrons taking in the sunny November afternoon. At the end of my jog, I stuck my feet in the water and really took it all in - the sights, the people, the skyline, and the sea. Last night, our team enjoyed a welcome dinner at Deca, a restaurant in Tel Aviv. The food was delicious: fish falafel, cucumber salad with yogurt dressing, grilled salmon; and the sweet melon crepes for dessert really hit the spot! With a long, tiring journey behind us, we were refreshed and ready to pitch our Michigan story.
ABOVE: Talking with Perrigo Executive VP and President of Perrigo Israel Rafi Lebel
This morning, we were up early for a business breakfast with the Deloitte partners of Israel. They provided a briefing on the possibilities of Israeli alternative energy and homeland security opportunities that Michigan may be able to hone in on. Then we were off to the headquarters of Perrigo Israel for a meeting with Rafi Lebel, Perrigo's executive vice-president who is also president of Perrigo Israel, and his team. Perrigo is a health sciences company that already has a strong presence in West Michigan. They announced a $25 million expansion last summer that was supported by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Rafi said they are at capacity in West Michigan and are looking to possibly expand again. We thanked the company for their continued commitment to Michigan and also encouraged their future growth in the Great Lakes State. We have the infrastructure and beautiful lab space already in place, and I let Rafi know that we are ready to help them grow their business and grow new jobs right now. Michigan and Perrigo already have a great working relationship, but this trip is all about continuing to build on our link with business in Israel and attracting new jobs and growth in the future.
ABOVE: Test driving the battery-electric Better Place vehicle
Our next meeting was with Shai Agassi, a brilliant entrepreneur and CEO of Better Place, a company that is working fervently to electrify the car. In January 2008, the Israeli government announced its support for a broad effort to promote the use of electric cars, embracing a joint venture with Better Place. Shai is also building the stations in Israel where batteries for cars can be recharged and is expanding this effort in countries around the world. We want to reduce our state's and our nation's dependence on foreign oil, and the advanced battery has the potential to do just that. We talked about future partnerships that might be viable for Michigan, and in Michigan, we know that new energy means new jobs. Later in the afternoon, we met with Inspire Invest, a venture capital firm in Tel Aviv, and this evening, I spoke at an automotive seminar and reception hosted by the Michigan Israel Business Bridge and the Israel Export Institute where I discussed business and research opportunities with CEOs of companies and suppliers that are looking to grow and expand.
Overall, it was a busy day full of promise and prospective jobs for Michigan. Stay tuned for more news on our meetings and travels tomorrow as we head to Jerusalem to continue telling Michigan's story.
Tuesday brought more beautiful weather and a full schedule of company meetings in Israel.
From there, we left Jerusalem for an afternoon of meetings in Haifa -- a city north of Tel Aviv on the Mediterranean. On our journey, we passed through the Carmel Mountains -- a wine-growing region also known for its many artist colonies. Haifa was breathtaking -- situated high above the sea. Anyone who loves wine country in California would feel right at home here.
Our first meeting was with the Prime Minister of Israel, Ehud Olmert. He was very interested in our economic plan and what the future holds for Michigan in the 21st century. He was so pleased to hear that we would be signing a joint declaration of strategic cooperation on water technologies, with Israel later in the morning. Like me, the Prime Minister believes that Michigan has the resources and Israel has the technology to create great synergy on this important issue. The Prime Minister is no stranger to Michigan, having visited friends in the Detroit area many times. He's even had the chance to take in a Pistons game!
Shalom from Israel! I write to you from the Middle East where I am on my seventh overseas jobs and investment mission - part of my strategy to go anywhere, do anything to diversify our economy and bring jobs home to Michigan.
