Global Wind Systems is getting a $32.3 million start in Michigan, a five-year investment that positions the wind turbine system manufacturer to be one of the state’s leading alternative energy manufacturers.
"Michigan has the best manufacturing base in North America," says Global Wind Systems President and CEO Chris Long. “No one on this side of the arena can do what we want to do here in Michigan.”
Long and his team were courted by at least 12 other states, but stayed in the region, hoping to capitalize on the region’s abundance of trained auto manufacturing and aerospace talent.
"We’ll create about 350 assembly jobs initially, but thousands of manufacturing-based jobs will be created as a result of this investment," Long says.
A $7.3 million tax credit over nine years handed down by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s (MEDC) MEGA board reinforced Long’s commitment to stay in Michigan.
Global Wind Systems will need more than 2 million square feet of space over the next five years to accommodate parts production. Global Wind Systems will be headquartered in Novi.
The company is expected to sell 39 units a year at a cost of $2.2 million to $2.4 million a year. Production will start in 2009.
"That will open up Michigan to the wind market," Long says.
Source: Chris Long, Global Wind Systems
Writer: Ivy Hughes is the managing editor of Lansing's Capital Gains and can be reached here.
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