What the Governor’s Talking about
Today
Tuesday, October 19,
2010
King Carl XVI Gustaf
to Recognize Governor for Fostering Relations between Michigan, Sweden
The governor on Thursday will be recognized by His
Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf with Sweden’s Insignia of First Commander, Order of
the Polar Star for her work in fostering relations between Michigan and Sweden to promote a clean energy
economy. The Order of the Polar Star was created in 1798 and is now
awarded to foreigners and members of the Swedish royal family for services to
Sweden.
“In our pursuit to diversify Michigan’s economy and create jobs we have forged a strong
and fruitful relationship with Sweden, a country known for its
leadership in clean energy,” the governor said. “Our mutual work to use
clean energy technologies to create jobs is having a dramatic effect and so this
award recognizes not just me, but everyone who is committed to making Michigan a leader in the
clean energy economy.”
His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf will present the
governor with the honor at the Royal
Palace in Stockholm, the king’s
official residence. Among those scheduled to witness the ceremony will be
U.S. Ambassador to Sweden Matthew Barzun, the governor’s parents Victor and
Shirley Granholm, Swedish Consul General for Michigan Lennart Johansson, and
Greg Main, president and CEO of the Michigan Economic Development
Corporation.
In September 2008, Granholm hosted His Majesty for an
official visit to Michigan. During the visit they
co-hosted a conference on climate change in Dearborn and presided at the groundbreaking for the state’s
first Center of Energy Excellence, a clean energy collaboration
between Swedish Biogas International, Kettering University and the city of Flint.
Key
messages:
- The governor will
participate in a panel discussion about sustainable cities at the annual
VINNOVA conference in Stockholm. VINNOVA, the Swedish
governmental agency for innovation systems, is the state department that aims
to promote growth and prosperity throughout the country. The governor
will also deliver a speech at the conference about Michigan’s strategy for
developing the clean energy sector.
- The governor’s
investment mission to France and Sweden is her 11th overseas
investment mission since 2004. 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 and retained.
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