Granholm presents $10 million check for biosciences centerAug. 5, 2003 KALAMAZOO -- As part of her continuing efforts to help keep Pfizer workers in Michigan, Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm joined legislative leaders today in presenting Western Michigan University with a ceremonial $10 million check for the new Biosciences Research and Commercialization Center. "Today is a tremendous step forward in our efforts to
ensure Michigan's pharmaceutical heritage is preserved,"
Granholm said. "This new center will help our state build
upon the great pharmaceutical discoveries of the past and continue
as a leader in innovation and as a magnet for economic growth.
And it will keep talented, highly-skilled workers in Michigan
to make us a magnet state for life sciences and biotech job growth
and expansion." "We are absolutely delighted at the support and vote of confidence from the governor and the legislature that this funding represents," said Dr. Judith I. Bailey, president of WMU. "This center will have an enormous impact on Michigan's future and its ability to move life science discoveries from the laboratory into the market place. While this center may well make Michigan the model for other states to emulate, very few will be able to replicate the unique qualities we offer here--a long heritage of life sciences research, a pool of tremendously talented scientists and professionals with extraordinary commercialization skills." The center will be funded through an appropriation to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The MEDC and the Life Sciences Steering Committee will be charged with reviewing and approving the center's detailed business plan and regularly monitoring its progress. Once that business plan is approved, university officials
say they will move within a matter of days to extend their first
offers of employment to scientists who will work in the center. Funding for the new center is another element in Gov. Granholm's efforts to help keep former Pfizer employees at work and at home in Michigan following the company's recent acquisition of Pharmacia. The governor has announced several other key efforts directed at helping former Pfizer employees. Those efforts include:
Media contact: Cheryl Roland, 269 387-8400, cheryl.roland@wmich.edu |
WMU News http://www.wmich.edu/wmu/news |