Tag: Reinventing Climate Change (page 2)

Fort Wayne, Ind. - Android Industries, a specialty equipment manufacturer and complex assembler, announced plans today to locate a new operation here, creating up to 66 new jobs by 2013.

The Michigan-based automotive company, which specializes in sub-assembly, sequencing and logistics, will invest $8.97 million to lease and equip a 55,000 square-foot space at 13008 Fogwell Parkway Rd. Android, which plans to begin facility renovations this spring, will also add 4,000 square feet to the office area and additional shipping bays.

"We have worked hard to create one of the best business climates in the country," said Governor Mitch Daniels. "I am happy that Android chose Indiana to open this new operation. Their new home will give them every opportunity for success due to our pro-growth environment and the unrivaled work ethic of Hoosiers."

Android, which has more than 2,000 employees globally, will begin hiring manufacturing and robotic programming associates in Allen County this summer.

"Android chose Indiana and specifically Fort Wayne because it's both an employee- and employer-friendly environment," said David Donnay, vice president of human resources at Android. "Recently, Indiana became a right-to-work state and offers us a competitive location and a skilled work force to complement our state of the art technology. All of these factors went into choosing Indiana as an optimal location."

Founded in 1988, Android today serves automotive clients at its 17 plants worldwide, including locations in Mexico, Spain and Brazil. Android's team also manages more than $8 billion of material each year in its supply chain management division.

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Caterpillar has caused an uproar in Canada with a controversial plant closing. But the company attracted so many people to an Indiana jobs fair that the event had to be shut down earlier than planned.

On Friday, Caterpillar's Progress Rail Services said it was closing the 62-year-old Electro-Motive Canada plant in London, Ontario, about two hours west of Toronto.
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In explaining the shutdown, Billy Ainsworth, the CEO of Progress Rail, said in a letter to employees that all the company's facilities "must achieve competitive costs, quality and operating flexibility to compete and win in the global marketplace, and expectations at the London plant were no different."

It's the second big closing in that part of Canada in a year's time. Navistar shut its truck plant in nearby Chatham, Ontario in 2010, eliminating 1,100 jobs.

But at the moment, Caterpillar is the toast of Muncie, in east central Indiana.

Over the weekend, Caterpillar held a jobs fair that attracted about 3,000 applicants for jobs paying between $12.50 and $18 an hour, according to the Muncie Free Press.

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With the clock ticking to Michigan's Feb. 28 primary, Gov. Rick Snyder hasn't decided whom to endorse as the Republican presidential nominee.

The governor, who has said many times he wouldn't announce his endorsement until 30 days before the primary, has 20 days left to figure out his choice.

"He's still deciding," spokeswoman Sara Wurfel said Wednesday. "He's evaluating things in terms of candidates and jobs."

Bill Ballenger, editor of the Inside Michigan Politics newsletter, said there might be more to Snyder's reticence.

"Maybe Mitt Romney's asked him not to -- I'm not sure how much help that would be at this point," Ballenger said.

Washington-- Gov. Rick Snyder says he expects to make an endorsement in the GOP presidential race "as early as this week."

"I'm really close," Snyder told reporters ahead of a Wednesday appearance before the House Education and Workforce Committee, where he discussed jobs issues.

Most likely also in DC consulting with Barry Oweblamebush about what to do with the snag with his boondoggle gummint bridge too.  Nerdholm's just got to have them Federal tax 'debt dollars' to redistribute to his goonion labor base in Detoilet don'tchya know.

Snyder said he is focused on which candidate will be best for Michigan.

The state has its presidential primary Feb. 28. "I've been reviewing the candidates and coming up with who will be best suited for Michigan from the perspective of jobs and our long-term future."

Snyder says he has a good relationship with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, a Michigan native whose father served three terms as Michigan's governor. Romney, a Republican, campaigned on Snyder's behalf, but Snyder declined to say if he would endorse the front-runner.

Once Gov. Mitch Daniels signs the right-to-work bill into law - and that's likely to happen Wednesday, his spokeswoman said - Indiana will become the 23rd state with such a law on its books.

The state Senate approved House Bill 1001 on Wednesday on a 28-22 vote. It was the last legislative step necessary on a measure that bars businesses and unions from negotiating contracts that require non-members to pay dues as a condition of employment.

For Michigan business leaders choosing freedom, your point of contact begins here.

A poll says a majority of Michigan voters oppose the idea of raising gas taxes and vehicle registration fees to fund road and bridge improvements

The poll results released Monday show 58 percent opposed, 36 percent in favor and 6 percent undecided.

Michigan motorists would be asked to pay higher fuel-related taxes and vehicle registration fees under proposals introduced in the state Legislature. The package would raise an estimated $1 billion more each year for the state's roads and bridges.

The Indiana Senate has set the stage for a final legislative vote on the contentious right-to-work bill.

The Republican-dominated Senate on Tuesday rejected all amendments offered by Democratic senators to the bill. That action keeps the bill identical to what the House approved last week and clears the way for a final Senate vote Wednesday that would send the bill to the governor.

The Senate approved an identical version of the bill last week 28-22 and Long says he anticipates enough Republican senators will support the proposal for it to pass despite opposition from all Senate Democrats.

Union protesters outside the Senate chamber chanted "Let the people vote!" as senators voted down a proposal for a statewide referendum on the issue.

The Senate approved an identical version of the bill last week 28-22 and the Republican Senate leader says he expects a similar vote Wednesday.

Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels says he will sign the bill into law.