by Gongwer News Service
November 24, 2008

From reading a blog about her travels, one could surmise that Governor Jennifer Granholm got some much needed spiritual renewal last week, being warmed by the Middle Eastern sun and jogging along the Mediterranean seaside. But while the governor’s seventh trade mission brought respite from a tumultuous economic and political climate and promises of future endeavors and partnerships, that break was short lived, interrupted by the pressing problems that could threaten any future progress the governor hopes to enjoy.

After taking in a welcoming dinner in Tel Aviv on her first day there and a relaxing run under the warm November sun over the weekend, Ms. Granholm quickly got down to the bottom line by speaking, along with Michigan Economic Development Corporation President Jim Epolito, at an automotive event with the Michigan Israel Business Bridge and the Israel Export Institute.

In her first and arguably only effort of the week with immediate tangible results, Ms. Granholm signed a declaration of cooperation with Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Eli Yshai on developing alternative energy and water technology companies.

But she said at a press event Friday that she expects to see fruit from her trip in the coming months in terms of business additions and expansions.

The Michigan-Israel agreement calls for the two governments to create working groups and focus on energy technology development, including energy efficiency and water conservation and water reuse technologies, Ms. Granholm said.

The governor, who said on her blog that she was encouraged at Israel’s ability to diversify its economy when dependency on agriculture became futile, added that the agreement will help to both encourage Michigan to use water more efficiently as well as develop new jobs.

Ms. Granholm also met with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who she said “was very interested in our economic plan and what the future holds for Michigan in the 21st century.”

The following day the governor met with several company executives, including the leaders of the top homeland security company in Israel, Elbit Israel.

While she wasn’t able to garner any official promises for expansion into Michigan from the $2.4 billion company, which, incidentally, has a native Michigander at the helm, Ms. Granholm said she continues to push strong auto industry ties as one of Michigan’s most competitive advantages.

On Wednesday in Jordan, Ms. Granholm met with more industry officials in the alternative energy field and sat down with a king.

The governor said she and Jordanian King Abdullah II discussed how his nation and Michigan could work together on alternative energy and water reuse.

Ms. Granholm also met with officials from Millenium Energy Industries, a solar energy company in Africa and the Middle East seeking a presence in North America. She said her mission was “all about attracting new business investment that will create jobs and grow Michigan’s economy, [by] meeting with cutting-edge companies doing exciting work in alternative energy, water reuse and homeland security.”

“We are working hard to sell Michigan as the best place in North America for international companies to invest and grow, and I came away from today’s meetings confident that our message is resonating with global CEOs and decision-makers,” Ms. Granholm said in a statement released that day.

“With all that is happening in the economy and as the debate over the future of the auto industry continues in Congress, our time in Israel has been a renewal of hope,” the governor said in a hopeful blog entry at the beginning of the week.

Ironically, by midweek Ms. Granholm was forced to leave the pleasant weather and promises of the Middle East in order to try to stop a potential economic hemorrhage at home. When the governor headed back toward familiar seas on Thursday, she likely found a reception that was chilly in more ways than one: from the nip in the November air and from the U.S. Senate as she tried to convince lawmakers to grant the auto industry billions in bailout loans.

But she said Friday that, despite setbacks, she expected a bailout for the auto industry by the end of the year.

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