What the Governor’s Talking about
Today
Friday, October 15,
2010
Governor Continues
Investment Mission in Europe
The governor continued her investment mission in Europe
today with a visit to the Paris Auto Show where she met with executives to tout
Michigan’s
place at the forefront of vehicle electrification and advanced battery
manufacturing. She also met with executives from Dassault Systemes which
has operations in Auburn Hills along with its Delmia
subsidiary.
The biannual Paris Auto Show, one of the oldest and
largest in the world, featured the new generation of electric, hybrid and
zero-emission vehicles along with the traditional lineup of exotic cars.
This year, Ford unveiled its new Ford Focus ST. Chevrolet has
introduced three models at the show: the Aveo hatchback, the Cruze hatchback and
the Orlando, a
compact minivan. Also on display were the Chevy Volt and its European
counterpart, the Opel Ampere. The governor spoke at the Forum in the New
Energies Pavilion.
The governor met with executives from Dassault to
discuss future Michigan business opportunities.
Dassault, one of the world’s largest IT systems companies, specializes in 3-D
applications to enhance real-life living spaces and everyday products. The
company also produces CATIA design software used by major original equipment
manufacturers and all major Tier One suppliers in Michigan, and a diverse
array of software products used in applications ranging from aerospace to
computer games.
Dow Kokam, the Midland-based advanced battery
manufacturer, recently acquired Societe de Vehicles Electriques, a wholly owned
subsidiary of Dassault that develops liquid-cooled, high-performance battery
packs and energy management systems. The partnership significantly
increases Dow Kokam’s supply capability of advanced, vehicle-ready battery
systems and provides an immediate footprint in Europe’s rapidly growing electric vehicle
market.
Also today, the governor spoke with Charles Churet, CEO
of the French-based BSR Group, whose subsidiary Revocoat is acquiring
Detroit-based Coat-It Inc. She encouraged local expansion of the sealants
firm and stressed the importance of adding to the 60 Michigan jobs which will
be part of the global organization.
Key
messages:
- As the global
center of automotive R&D and home to a flourishing advanced battery
industry, Michigan is an ideal match for
European firms looking to expand or establish their presence in North America. Michigan offers unparalleled advantages that
global companies need to become a part of the new clean and green auto
industry.
- This investment
mission to France and
Sweden is the governor’s 11th
overseas investment mission since 2004. Her previous missions to
Austria, Belgium, Germany, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Italy and Sweden have
resulted in 48 companies announcing more than $1.8 billion in new investment
in Michigan and 20,699 (9,244 direct) jobs created or
retained.
New Recreation
Passport a Bargain for Michigan Residents
For just $10, the new Recreation Passport allows state
residents entry to all 98 state parks and recreation areas in Michigan, said Rebecca
Humphries, director of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and
Environment. Humphries made her remarks in delivering this week’s radio
address on behalf of the governor.
“The Recreation Passport just became available October
1,” Humphries said. “It replaces the Motor Vehicle Permit, the window
sticker that previously allowed entrance to state parks. The Recreation
Passport is actually $14 less than the old Motor Vehicle Permit, and for a
motorcycle it costs only $5.”
Humphries said everyone who wants to enter a state park
or recreation area now needs a Recreation Passport, and obtaining one is
easy.
“When you renew your license plates, there’s a check-off
box on the renewal form for the Recreation Passport,” Humphries said.
“Just check ‘yes’ and you’ll receive a sticker to apply to your license plate
indicating that you have the passport. The Recreation Passport will be
valid for the duration of your license plate
registration.”
Key
messages:
- The Recreation
Passport does much more than give Michigan
residents entry to all 98 state parks and recreation areas in Michigan. It
helps preserve 133 state forest campgrounds; nearly 1,000 miles of hiking,
biking and skiing trails; more than 1,000 boat launches, and historic and
cultural sites in state parks.
- Many people are
surprised to learn that state parks and recreation areas have not received any
money from the state’s general fund since 2004. State parks and
recreation areas rely completely on entrance and camping fees, along with an
annual share of the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund. This funding
model for state parks was simply inadequate to meet current and future
operational and maintenance needs. The Recreation Passport will be a
more stable source of revenue and is intended to prevent drastic cuts to
Michigan’s
parks and forest programs.
- Campers still have
to pay camping fees at state forest campgrounds, and out-of-state visitors are
still required to purchase non-resident stickers at a cost of $29 annually or
$8 daily.
To listen to the radio address, click on the following
link:
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/gov/Gov271Full_335487_7.mp3
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