Chris Holman talks with Tony Vernaci, Vice President
of Global Business Development, MEDC about our strong Japanese business community and how Japan is a leading foreign investor in the State of Michigan.
Michigan has nearly 500 Japanese companies in the state with over 38,000 employees and the majority of these companies are located in southeast Michigan. These are not low skilled jobs either. Approximately 80% are R&D and engineering representing over 21,000 jobs. This speaks volumes to the rich pool of talent in the state. The balance in the rest of the state are manufacturing jobs. As you would imagine, over 60% of these manufacturing jobs are in automotive.
One of the important factors to attracting international investment is
having a welcoming community. Japanese companies typically have
company representatives stationed in their operations. Those executives
are often accompanies with families that need a place to feel like home. Cities like Novi, Ann Arbor, West Bloomfield, Farmington Hills and Battle Creek have very significant Japanese communities. This is extremely significant because in order for the Japanese expat to be successful his/her family must also be successful.
For more knowledge, news, and insights visit:
www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com