Michigan Targets German Investment

Mcihigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm and executives from western and southeastern Michigan plan to head to Germany next week to try and get more high-end auto and health-related jobs for Michigan.

Michigan already has 610 German companies doing business in the state, the most of any foreign country, the governor said.

German-owned companies employ 172,000 workers in Michigan, Granholm spokeswoman Liz Boyd said. The state estimates German investment in Michigan is worth $31 billion.

Granholm hopes to make a trade trip to Asia at some point, a strategy followed by her predecessor, Republican Gov. John Engler.

Engler visited Japan and China during economic development trips, along with Europe, Canada and Mexico.

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