Sorry it has been so long since I have written… a busy, busy time it has been!  I was in beautiful northern Michigan Monday to visit another of our 21st Century Jobs Fund award recipients. Every time I am in Traverse City, I remember what “Pure Michigan” is all about.  Even as fall speeds toward us, the vibrant colors of the scenery up north are unmatchable, from the rolling hills to the beautiful blue Lake Michigan waters.
 
While in Traverse City, I stopped by to see our friends at Tellurex Corporation, a nano-technology thermoelectrics company that received a $1.26 million 21st Century Jobs Fund grant.  They will create at least 20 new jobs with their award.  I visited with Tellurex employees last December, and they have already doubled their workforce; it was exciting to see the progress they are making there.  The company has developed technologies for different industries including:  medical instruments, food service, and high-tech automotive applications.  The company is collaborating with other Michigan businesses like Chrysler to create and sell their innovative products.  One of their most interesting projects (and the one for which they received the award) is a beverage holder that will heat or cool whatever it holds, for installation in a couple of 2007 Chrysler models.  They are also exploring ways to power electronic devices with heat from light bulbs, or even human body heat to make our I-pods tick!
 
Despite some tough announcements from our Michigan automotive leaders recently, I continue to feel confident about the future of the Great Lakes State.  As the automotive industry restructures, so does Michigan.  It is companies like Tellurex who will help us diversify our economy.  They are not only discovering new ways to power the world, but they are doing great business too.
 
I feel excited about my economic plan that is already up and running.  The seeds have been planted; now we must watch them grow and flourish.  We are diversifying our economy to create jobs tomorrow, we are connecting workers to today’s jobs through the Michigan Opportunity Partnership, we are preparing our kids for success in the future with a top-notch education, and we are continuously improving our business climate.  We must keep on trekking as we face the hard times of this economic transformation.  And I can promise you this – I will continue to fight for every Michigan job, every Michigan worker, and most importantly, every Michigan family.