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MPI announces expansion; 3,300 new jobs to area
KALAMAZOO, Mich. (AP) -- MPI Research Inc. plans a $330 million expansion in southwestern Michigan, a project expected to create 3,300 new jobs over the next five to seven years.
The privately held clinical research contractor chose to build close to its Mattawan headquarters and nearby Kalamazoo, choosing those locations over competing sites in Pennsylvania and China.
The plan, which was announced Tuesday afternoon at Kalamazoo Country Club by MPI officials and Gov. Jennifer Granholm, is expected to provide a badly needed boost to not only greater Kalamazoo, but also the financially struggling state as a whole.
About 400 of the new employees are to work out of two Kalamazoo buildings that formerly housed Pfizer Inc. employees. The drug giant is giving the buildings to the city, which will lease them to MPI.
The remaining 2,900 new jobs will be created by an expansion of MPI's campus in Mattawan, about 10 miles southwest of Kalamazoo.
MPI does contract research for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, animal health and chemical companies.
Earlier Tuesday, the Michigan Economic Growth Authority approved a state tax credit valued at $86 million over 15 years to secure the company's investment.
The expansion is contingent upon final agreements among MPI, Pfizer and the City of Kalamazoo.
"This is a great day. This is the best day of my life," said Bill Parfet, MPI's chairman and chief executive.
Parfet, whose great-grandfather was W.E. Upjohn, bought MPI in 1995 when the company had just fewer than 200 employees. It now has 1,608 workers with operations in Mattawan; State College, Pa.; and China.
Both sites outside Michigan seriously were considered for the expansion, Parfet said.
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At the news conference, Gov. Granholm said this is the largest life science job announcement in the state's history, and the largest jobs announcement of any kind while she's been in office.
The projections for the expansion include 7,600 residents, 1,800 new children in area schools and 600 new homes.
On the Net:
Michigan Economic Development Corporation
Copyright 2008, the Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
24 Hour News 8 contributed to this report.
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