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Businesses are choosing Michigan for their diverse and abundant workforce, business-friendly environment, low cost of living, and global supply chain assets. Add that to the state’s available business resources and their eagerness to get to work, and you have a recipe for success..

Michigan is home to a wealth of highly skilled talent. From having the highest concentration of engineers in the nation to a skilled trades workforce that ranks in the top ten nationally, Michigan is preparing the talent needed for the jobs of the future.

Businesses thrive in the state’s globally connected location. In fact, Michigan is a top 3 state for foreign direct investment and Detroit is the number 1 metropolitan area for FDI projects, according to Site Selection magazine.

At about 10% below the national average, Michigan’s cost of living ranks as the fourth most affordable state in the country. Michigan realizes that need for speed to market when it comes to reshoring, targeting industry supply chains, and investing in infrastructure improvements. For that reason, Michigan is ensuring a competitive cost environment for businesses moving goods in and out of the state by strengthening global ties and creating businesses opportunities that are critical for the economic opportunity for future generations of Michiganders.

Michigan is where America’s most innovative companies are shaping the future. Discover the power of Pure Opportunity and seize your success in its most concentrated form. For more information, please contact the Michigan Economic Development Corporation at 888-522-0103 or visit their website at www.michiganbusiness.org

MICHIGAN: Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that European engineering services provider Expleo USA Inc. is establishing its first North American research and development facility in Michigan

Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that European engineering services provider Expleo USA Inc. is establishing its first North American research and development facility in Michigan. The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of more than $2 million and create 196 high-wage jobs, and will further build on Michigan’s global leadership in future mobility in vehicle electrification.

“We’re thrilled to bring home nearly 200 good-paying jobs from Expleo, building on our leadership in advanced automotive manufacturing and strengthening our position as the global leader of mobility and electrification,” said Governor Whitmer. “Expleo chose to invest in Michigan because of our strong mobility business environment, inclusive laws, skilled workforce, and ongoing economic momentum to ensure anyone can ‘make it in Michigan.’ Together, we have created powerful economic development tools to bring supply chains of cars, chips, and batteries home, and secured 35,000 auto jobs since I took office. Our unemployment rate is below 4% for only the third period since the 1970s and we have added 82,000 jobs year over year. We will keep our foot on the accelerator to keep winning projects, investing in people, and revitalizing places so we can build a brighter future for Michigan. Let’s get it done.”

The governor was joined for the announcement at the company’s headquarters in Paris as part of her European investment mission to Paris and Germany. She was joined by leaders from Expleo and members of Team Michigan including Quentin L. Messer, Jr., CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).

Expleo has a long history in vehicle engineering development and testing and is experiencing increased demand for its electronic, mechanical and digital engineering services. Expleo in North America offers a range of services, including engineering, quality assurance, digital transformation, and consulting to clients in the aerospace, automotive, financial services, and healthcare industries.

Expleo is still evaluating locations in Oakland County for its new operations, which will represent the company’s first R&D facility in North America. Michigan was chosen over competing sites in Canada, the Midwest and locations in the southern U.S. The company cited Michigan’s significant automotive presence, the state’s engineering talent, proximity to established relationships with its current suppliers and customers, and Michigan as a welcoming state for its employees to live, work, and play as deciding factors in it choosing to build its future in Michigan.

“We are thrilled to be welcoming these high-wage jobs by Expleo as we continue to position Michigan as the undisputed leader in future mobility and vehicle electrification,” said MEDC’s Messer. “This announcement demonstrates Michigan’s culture of innovation, the attractiveness of our business climate and the strength of our talented workforce. We look forward to partnering with Expleo as it grows and adds jobs for Michigan residents.”

In May, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that Norwegian hydrogen company Nel Hydrogen is establishing an automated gigawatt electrolyzer manufacturing facility in Michigan. The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of up to $400 million and create more than 500 good-paying clean energy manufacturing jobs that build on Michigan’s leadership in the hydrogen space.

“We’re thrilled to bring home an up to $400 million investment from Nel Hydrogen creating more than 500 good-paying, clean energy jobs right here in Michigan,” said Governor Whitmer. “Earlier this year, I went on an economic mission to Europe to show the world what Michigan has to offer, and as a result of our efforts on the trip, we secured an investment from Nel to continue building on our leadership in cars, chips, and clean energy. As a major player in all three of these sectors, Michigan is serious about leading hydrogen development and winning today’s investment proves that the best manufacturing in the world happens right here in Michigan. Let’s keep competing with anyone and working with everyone to bring home transformational investments in manufacturing so we can spur economic growth and create good-paying jobs right here in Michigan.”

“The choice of Michigan is based on an overall assessment of what the state can offer in terms of financial incentives, access to a highly skilled workforce, and cooperation with universities, research institutions, and strategic partners,” said Nel CEO Håkon Volldal. “I will also highlight the personal engagement from Governor Whitmer and her competent and service-minded team.”

The company cited the short distance to collaboration partner General Motors, headquartered in Detroit, as an additional deciding factor in the choice of Michigan. The two companies collaborated to develop further and improve Nel’s PEM electrolyzer technology. X