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State Representative Kenneth B. Horn

Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation (HSC) is located in the 94th House District, which I happen to represent. For those of you not familiar with the corporation, they are the world's leading producer of computer and solar grade silicon. They are looking to expand - again. Michigan is competing with other states to land the next billion dollar expansion.

The importance of keeping this expansion in Michigan is no secret. Along with the 1,300 hundred potential jobs and one billion dollar boost to Michigan's economy, it also sends a strong message to businesses around the country that Michigan is serious about the diversification of its economy and we will bend over backward to provide jobs to our citizens. In essence, the eyes of the world are on us.

In the midst of complex new business taxes and uncompetitive energy prices, we need to ask the growing industries what they need to flourish in our great state. These are the businesses that are going to provide billions of dollars to stimulate our economy as well as put Michigan at the forefront of today's technological marketplace.

That is exactly the reason why we introduced legislation to provide a tax incentive to HSC that will offset Michigan's higher energy costs. If we’re serious about economic recovery, we can’t keep losing business to other states.

It's time for Michigan to get serious about providing high quality jobs that will lead to other spin-off jobs and businesses. I've been saying for two and a half years that if we answer the Hemlock Semiconductor question, we've taken great steps toward solving Michigan's economic problems. While HSC is my backyard, the work we do today to create great jobs will bring other job providers and employees to grow and live in Michigan.