Michigan was one of three states to receive the top award from a national economic development organization that tracks innovation by state agencies in attracting business, and part of the credit goes to Northville-based TSC Michigan for being a major investor and job creator.
The Gold Shovel Award was given to the state of Michigan by Area Development, which ranked TSC, maker of lithium-ion battery electrolytes, as one of the state's top 10 investors. The company invested $31.1 million in 2101 and created 279 jobs.
Two other Gold Shovels went to Indiana and South Carolina while states such as Texas, North Carolina, and Georgia (like Michigan, home to more than nine million residents), won Silver Shovels.
Michael Shore, spokesman for the Michigan Economic Development Corp. calls the Gold Shovel Award "a significant achievement. We beat ten Sunbelt states to win this award."
He says there is "great value" in the award considering that Michigan competes daily against other states, provinces and even nations.
According to Area Development, the award recognizes state economic development agencies "that drive significant job creation through innovative policies, infrastructure improvements, processes and promotions that attract new employers as well as investments in expanded facilities. The Gold Shovels are presented annually to the states that have achieved the most success in terms of new job creation and economic impact."
Shore says the award shows Michigan is writing a new economic story.
"Michigan, despite more than a decade of severe economic stresses, remains one of our nation's real centers of manufacturing, engineering, and R&D excellence. We've won significant new investments in recent years, good enough to earn Silver Shovels four times since 2006, a recognition that we are a serious competitor on the national scene despite our difficulties," he says.
"This helps to change the narrative about Michigan. Whether we're talking with in-state, out-of-state or overseas-based businesses, the Gold Shovel award presents a truer picture of all that Michigan can offer: a competitive business climate, a talented workforce, a strong work ethic, world-class educational institutions, and a quality of life that very few can even dream of matching."
Source: Michael Shore, spokesman Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and Area Development
Writer: Kim North Shine
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