Dingell Calls Award for Monroe’s Ventower a “Watershed Moment”
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Washington, DC - Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) made the following remarks after Ventower Industries in Monroe, MI, received a $2,553,300 award as part of an announcement by President Obama of $2.3 billion in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Advanced Energy Manufacturing Tax Credits for clean energy manufacturing projects across the United States.
“This is exactly what Congress intended when we authorized the Recovery Act. We are putting Americans back to work in industries of the future,” said Dingell. “This investment signals a watershed moment for Monroe and the region. It is not only creating jobs, it is also creating a new and diversified economy. By attracting these green industries to Southeast Michigan, we are adapting to meet the economic needs of the future. The unparalleled workforce and exceptional quality of life offered in Michigan is second to none, and I expect much more investment to come from this burgeoning sector.”
As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, these tax credits are focused on putting Americans back to work by building a robust domestic manufacturing capacity to supply clean and renewable energy projects with American made parts and equipment. These credits are also an important step towards meeting the President’s goal of doubling the amount of renewable energy the country uses in the next three years with wind turbines and solar panels built right here in the United States.
“Building a robust clean energy sector is how we will create the jobs of the future,” said President Obama. “The Recovery Act awards I am announcing today will help close the clean energy gap that has grown between America and other nations while creating good jobs, reducing our carbon emissions and increasing our energy security.”
On November 20, 2009, Congressman Dingell and the Michigan Delegation sent a letter to Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Internal Revenue Service Commissioner Douglas Schulman in support of nine Michigan based applications for the Recovery Act Advanced Energy Manufacturing Tax Credits, including Ventower. “I want to thank our delegation for their support, and in particular, our two wonderful Senators, Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow,” said Dingell. “I also commend the State of Michigan, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and the City and Port of Monroe for their intensive efforts to lure Ventower to Monroe. This is yet another prime example of government coming together at all levels to create jobs.”
Tom Krzyston, Chairman, Monroe Port Commission, commented “the Port of Monroe and the City of Monroe’s Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, greatly appreciate the efforts by our Senators Levin and Stabenow and Congressman Dingell in helping move this very important project forward after several years of work by the City and the Port.”
“This is excellent news for Ventower, the City of Monroe and job growth,” said City of Monroe Mayor Robert E. Clark. “Economic Development and attracting green-type industries of the future is a priority of the City Council. We are very appreciative of the federal Recovery Act monies being directed to Monroe through the leadership of Congressman John D. Dingell.”
Ventower Industries intends to become a full service manufacturer and supplier of wind turbine towers used to support industrial-scale wind turbines. At full production, Ventower plans to build up to 300 wind turbine towers per year, employing around 176 full time personnel.
www.house.gov/dingell
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