Washington, DC - Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) made the following comments on General Electric’s (GE) decision to locate a new research & development facility, working on renewable energy technologies, aircraft engines, software development and other high-tech jobs, in Van Buren Township, Michigan.

“I am pleased that General Electric will be making a major investment in our State, bringing more than a 1,100 high-quality jobs to Southeast Michigan.  Governor Granholm and the Michigan Congressional Delegation have made a major commitment to attracting these kinds of opportunities into Michigan and today’s announcement is just the beginning.  GE’s high-tech, advanced manufacturing jobs are the kind of opportunities we envisioned during the writing of the American Clean Energy and Security Act, which the House will take up today.  The burgeoning green economy holds incredible promise for both a better environment and a better economy and we in Michigan are poised to capitalize on this opportunity.  We have the skilled workforce.  We have wonderful institutes of higher education that produce quality people like those General Electric and other companies need.  We have the factories and complexes ready and built just waiting for companies to fill them.  We are ready to lead the transformation of what some people call the ‘rust belt’ into a ‘green zone.’  I applaud GE for this decision and look forward to many future ‘green job’ announcements in Michigan as we transition our economy to meet the demands of the 21st Century.”