Governors Press Congress to Focus on Job Creation
Frustrated with the pace of job-creation in Washington, the nation's governors are putting homegrown employment programs into place, and calling on Congress to refocus on the issue.
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- July 13, 2010 • State of Iowa Gov. Culver Announces Nearly $10 million in ARRA Investments for Rural Iowa Governor Chet Culver today announced American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) investments in two Iowa communities totaling $9,890,000. The grants, part of the USDA's "Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food" initiative, seek to create new economic opportunities, to promote local and regional food systems that benefit rural communities, and to encourage a national conversation about what we eat and where it comes from. This announcement comes on the heels of a National Governors Association meeting vice-chaired by Culver in which U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack spoke about USDA efforts to combat childhood obesity. "The Recovery Act investments help create jobs to revitalize these communities," Culver said. "Agriculture is a critical part of Iowa's economy, and I would like to thank President Obama's administration and the members of Iowa's congressional delegation who supported the ARRA bill for making it a priority as we work to recover from this national recession."
- July 08, 2010 • Boston Globe Another Drug Giant Bringing Jobs to Massachusetts One of the world's largest drug makers, Sanofi-Aventis SA, is planning a $65 million expansion in Cambridge that will create about 300 jobs, making it the latest foreign pharmaceutical giant to invest in Massachusetts. The Paris-based drug maker is in the process of leasing space in Cambridgeport, where it will establish a joint headquarters for a new cancer division... Governor Deval Patrick has also been counting on growth in the industry to help lift the state's economy. Two years ago, Patrick launched a $1 billion, 10-year initiative that includes tax incentives for life sciences companies to expand, research grants for scientists, and money to build university labs and other public infrastructure to support the industry.
- July 08, 2010 • The Suburbanite More Jobs for Akron with AT&T Announcement Ohio Governor Ted Strickland and AT&T today announced a new mobility data center in Akron, which will provide core mobility network services. The planned $120 million initial investment in this innovative center is driven by growth in mobile data. Strickland and the company made the announcement at an event at the Akron data center. "Ohio's strong business climate and tax structure makes it easier for companies like AT&T to grow its business here today, and our regulatory reform through Ohio's telecom bill will help us attract investments of the future," Strickland said. "I want to thank AT&T for its partnership and commitment to laying a solid foundation for prosperity in Akron." The center is an integral part of AT&T's plans to expand 3G service and begin the launch of 4G/LTE services, which is important to providing consumers with the highest quality and most reliable wireless network.
- July 07, 2010 • Morgan County Herald Miba Expansion to Create 80 New Jobs Ohio Governor Ted Strickland joined CEO of the Miba Group, Peter Mitterbauer, and other leaders on Tuesday to open a new production site for sintered components and a new production line for high-performance engine bearings in McConnelsville. Bernie Anderson, site manager for Miba Bearings US, told the Herald the additions will create more than 80 new jobs - 60 on the Sinter side and 20 for the new bearing line.
- June 29, 2010 • WHIZ News Miba Sinter Ribbon Cutting In Morgan County Governor Ted Strickland is taking part in a ribbon cutting ceremony at Miba Sinter in McConnelsville. It is a 26.1 million dollar expansion project that will create 60 jobs in Morgan County. Ohio provided more than 3.8 million dollars in state incentives to assist with Miba Sinter's expansion projection. Miba was founded in 1927 as a repair and production shop for engine components.
- June 24, 2010 • State of Iowa Gov. Culver Announces Microsoft datacenter in Iowa Governor Chet Culver today announced Microsoft Corporation will move forward with the construction of a modular datacenter in West Des Moines with the planned construction of a $100 million facility. The datacenter is expected to be up and running by spring of 2011. The technologically advanced facility will significantly reduce water, power and carbon wastes associated with traditional datacenter facilities, while enabling a more efficient and higher utilization of computing capacity and productivity...The Iowa Economic Development Board approved an award to Microsoft that will prove tax benefits from the High Quality Jobs program for the creation of 25 jobs.
- June 24, 2010 • State of Iowa Gov. Culver Urges EPA to Support Bio-fuels to Create Green-collar Jobs Speaking to the National Biodiesel Board in Washington, D.C. today, Governor Chet Culver called on the Environmental Protection Agency to enforce the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2). The RFS2 calls for 36 billion gallons of renewable biofuels by 2022. Governor Culver, who chairs the Governors Biofuels Coalition, also urged Congress to reinstate the biodiesel tax credit, which expired in 2009. Governor Culver said, "This is all about creating jobs."
- June 24, 2010 • KFVS Governor Quinn Signs Star Bonds Bill Many are calling it a win for not only Marion but for all of southern Illinois. On Thursday Governor Pat Quinn stopped at a local union hall in Marion to sign legislation expected to give an economic boost to the region. Quinn says his number one priority is to get people back to work across the state and in southern Illinois. The STAR Bonds Bill is a pilot program. It allows a portion of the sales tax revenues generated by a major retail and entertainment complex near Marion, to repay development and construction costs. The project is expected to employ hundreds and bring millions of sales tax dollars to the region. The destination development is expected to bring more students to southern Illinois as their parents fill job openings.
- June 21, 2010 • State of Illinois Illinois Improves Access To Free Health Care Governor Pat Quinn today signed a bill into law to allow health care workers authorized to practice in other states to work at free medical clinics in Illinois. The new law will improve access to health care for low-income families by increasing the number of licensed workers allowed to work at Illinois' free medical clinics. "I am happy to sign this new law that will make it easier for Illinois families to receive much-needed medical care," said Governor Quinn. "As long as the health care worker is licensed and in good standing in another state, we welcome them to Illinois to help working families in need of health care." House Bill 5744 ensures that health care professionals who work at free medical clinics in Illinois will be allowed to practice as long as they are licensed and in good standing elsewhere in the United States.
- June 16, 2010 • State of Illinois Governor Quinn Signs Law to Aid Illinois Workers Governor Pat Quinn today signed a bill into law that will give Illinois workers a boost during times of high unemployment in the state. House Bill 6349 requires entities receiving state funds or funds administered by the state for public works projects to hire at least 90 percent of their workers from Illinois. "Illinois workers are some of the best in the nation, and we are doing everything we can to put them to work," said Governor Quinn. "If you are receiving money from the state of Illinois for a public works project, we want to make sure you hire the hardworking men and women of Illinois." The law is aimed at boosting employment in Illinois during periods of economic recession and high unemployment.
- June 13, 2010 • US Chronicle Wisconsin’s Unemployment Woes Are Improving According to data published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, unemployment rate in Wisconsin was 9.8% in March. State labor officials also noted that in the month of April, over 16,000 jobs were added. This was the largest one-month gain in over a decade. The state has added over 32,000 jobs in the first four months of 2010... Department of Workforce Development Secretary Roberta Gassman, "With the support from our federal partners and the leadership of Governor Jim Doyle, Wisconsin is focused on helping businesses create jobs and providing workers across the state with opportunities to get those jobs."
- June 10, 2010 • State of Illinois Governor Quinn Opens Rosa Parks Apartments Affordable Housing in Chicago Governor Pat Quinn today opened the Rosa Parks Apartments, newly-built rental property that will provide affordable homes for 94 families. The multi-million dollar project was funded in part by $9.8 million from the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and $2.2 million in state funds from the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). More than 60 jobs were created with the development of the eight new buildings on scattered sites in the Humboldt Park neighborhood. "This project is a perfect example of how federal stimulus dollars are putting people to work in goodpaying jobs while also getting families into homes they can afford," said Governor Quinn. IHDA also invested a $1 million zero-interest loan from the Illinois Affordable Housing Trust Fund, and $856,000 in Illinois Affordable Housing Tax Credits to build the homes. Rosa Parks received an additional $285,000 in energy efficient grants from DCEO to incorporate green energy technology, including geothermal heating.
- June 10, 2010 • State of Iowa Iowa’s Small Businesses Announce New Growth, Innovations The Iowa Department of Economic Development Board announced actions to support Iowa's innovative companies by improving their competitiveness with support for commercialization, marketing and job growth. The Iowa Demonstration Fund awards were made to eight Iowa businesses at the May and June board meetings. Three additional business expansions were also approved at today's meeting. "Small businesses are the foundation of real job growth in our state, and I continue to be impressed by the innovative products developed right here in Iowa," said Governor Chet Culver. "It is vital for the state to support these growing industries, and the Iowa Demonstration Fund awards will help these businesses continue to expand and create good-paying jobs."
- June 10, 2010 • Area Development Seven Kentucky Manufacturers Create More Than 400 Jobs Seven Kentucky manufacturing companies will add a total of 404 new jobs in the state, investing more than $28.4 million. Five companies are already located in Northern Kentucky, while two manufacturers, Coating Excellence and Jacobs Automation, have recently announced their relocation to the area. "These seven new and expanding manufacturers will also benefit from their proximity to the new Center for Advanced Manufacturing, which is expected to train as many as 10,000 workers and 400 companies annually by 2015," said Governor Steve Beshear. "The center is yet another example of the importance the Commonwealth places on advanced manufacturing and related fields."
- June 06, 2010 • KXLH Weatherization Program to Target Mobile Homes In Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer announced the state of Montana is getting $971,000 in federal stimulus dollars to enhance training for weatherization experts in the state. Schweitzer said that the money is to create the capacity to expand the training network that's already put almost a thousand people on the job. The program is based at the MSU Extension Office in Bozeman. Schweitzer says by making homes more energy-efficient, especially older mobile homes in Montana, the state could save up to 40% of its current energy usage. The jobs run the gamut of expertise from field workers with a caulk gun to those who are able to revamp entire heating systems in homes.
