VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP, MI - GE announced that it has expanded its previous commitment of 1,100 new jobs in the state of Michigan by 220 people – bringing the company’s future total of new high-value jobs created to more than 1,300 over the next five years.

“While we are in the early days of our partnership with Michigan, we love what we’ve seen and want to accelerate our growth,” says GE Vice Chairman John Rice. “The exceptional number of talented, experienced professionals – coupled with the state’s strong advanced technology manufacturing capabilities – makes putting additional jobs here an easy decision. Growing jobs in Michigan means growth for GE.” Rice was joined at a ribbon cutting for the new facility by Governor Jennifer Granholm, Senator Carl Levin, Senator Debbie Stabenow and Congressman Sandy Levin.

“GE’s growing presence in Michigan and its plans for future expansion demonstrate we have the workforce and competitive business climate that companies need to compete in the 21st century,” Governor Jennifer M. Granholm says. “We appreciate GE’s commitment to Michigan and are delighted to be in the running for additional investment and high-tech jobs.”

“This is a significant event not just for GE and for Wayne County, but for Michigan and the nation,” Senator Carl Levin says. “The workers at this facility will help bring innovation from the research lab to the manufacturing floor, and that helps keep manufacturing competitive. And it’s no surprise that GE has come to the place with the best manufacturing and engineering workforce on earth: Michigan.”

GE Aviation is making a significant investment in aerospace technology infrastructure in Michigan, supporting the development and manufacturing of advanced jet engines and avionics systems. “We are creating 220 additional high-tech manufacturing jobs to support growth in next generation technologies that improve the fuel efficiency of current and future jet engines that will power commercial and military aircraft. Of the 220 new jobs, 90 will be added to our Johnson Technology facility in Muskegon and 130 will be added to a facility near Van Buren Township,” says Rice. “The company is also investing in its Engineering Center of Excellence in Grand Rapids to develop integrated avionics systems for commercial aircraft customers around the globe.”

GE currently employs approximately 2,400 people in Michigan. With the expanded jobs commitment, GE will bring its total Michigan employment to 3,500 across several facilities including those in Van Buren Township, Muskegon and Grand Rapids with incremental investments based upon state and local incentives. The Advanced Manufacturing and Software Technology Center in Van Buren Township is the focal point for GE’s efforts and currently employs more than 200 experienced information technology professionals. Hiring at this site is ahead of schedule and progressing at a rate of two people per day.

“The information technologists and engineers that will work at this center will help GE develop innovative new software, processes and technologies to drive excellence in manufacturing for GE and its customers,” says Charlene Begley, president and chief executive officer of GE Home & Business Solutions and senior vice president and chief information officer for GE. “The center will be GE’s single largest global population of IT talent.”

The center will also include a research facility where GE will develop future manufacturing technologies focusing on components for next generation aircraft engines. It will also bring together experts in software development, data architecture, networking, business intelligence, and program management to further the development of advanced solutions.