Rick Snyder, Scott Walker discuss job creation as result of U.S. Navy contract
MACKINAC ISLAND — Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder said today that he recently had discussions with Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker about workers from both states collaborating to build ships in a bid to boost the Midwestern economy.
Gov. Rick Snyder speaks at the Mackinac Policy Conference today at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island.
Nathan Bomey | AnnArbor.com
Their discussions came after a northeast Wisconsin firm called Marinette Marine Corporation, a division of Fincantieri-Cantieri Navali Italiani SpA, won a deal to construct ships on behalf of defense contractor Lockheed Martin. Lockheed is managing a $3.6 billion contract to deliver 10 Littoral Combat Ships to the U.S. Navy over the next five years.
Marinette reportedly plans to add up to 1,800 jobs on the border of Wisconsin and Michigan to build the ships.
Snyder said Wisconsin and Michigan can collaborate to leverage the deal to create more economic activity for both states.
"The question is, can we work together to find ways to get more activity where both states win?" he said.
The talks between the Great Lakes governors come after Snyder publicly tried to distance himself from Walker while the Wisconsin governor was fighting public sector unions in his state earlier this year.
In the spirit of bipartisanship, though, there might be an opportunity for collaboration with another governor — that is, former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, who joined Marinette's Board of Directors a few weeks ago.
Contact AnnArbor.com's Nathan Bomey at (734) 623-2587 or nathanbomey@annarbor.com. You can also follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's newsletters.
Comments
Michael Wade
Sat, Jun 4, 2011 : 6:34 a.m.
They state needs battle ships in the lake.
Dr. Rockso
Sat, Jun 4, 2011 : 3:36 a.m.
THE RICK should tax Scott and Wisconsin when they drive their boats through our lakes. THE RICK is kind of bummed out that he cant outsource the lake shipping traffic to china.
John Q
Sat, Jun 4, 2011 : 3:02 a.m.
Snyder shouldn't turn his back on Walker. Walker's made it clear that he'll do anything to steal jobs from neighboring states.
Rachel
Sat, Jun 4, 2011 : 2:32 a.m.
ew.
xmo
Fri, Jun 3, 2011 : 8:59 p.m.
Mr. Briegel: Thanking Jenny for destroying the state? Ignatz: Government jobs comes at the expense of the private sector jobs! How many jobs were lost because of higher taxes to pay for 1,800 jobs ($3.6 BILLION) That works out to $2million per job!
Michael Wade
Sat, Jun 4, 2011 : 6:40 a.m.
Yes. I work for the gov. I have 1.75 million saved up for when I retire.
David Briegel
Fri, Jun 3, 2011 : 6:38 p.m.
I'm shocked that the noble Scott Walker and our own Slickster would take any of that evil biig government money for something so frivolous as jobs! How could they? And thank you Jenny for continuing to work on behalf of the workers of our state!
Mike K
Sat, Jun 4, 2011 : 1:12 a.m.
No, there's no irony here David. First, governments are the biggest marks on Earth. Do you know what a "mark" is? They have few administrative controls. That's why there is so much waste and fraud. Secondly, where is anyone talking about lining up for money? It appears to me that there there was a conversation about increasing commerce in the states of MI and WI. It is judgemental to suggest that "haters" are first in line for government money when we all know the state of redistribution here in the US. BTW, Jenny is now working for a "corporation" that is out for profit and will abuse the working man for corporate profits. Do you still want to support a corporate schill?
David Briegel
Sat, Jun 4, 2011 : 12:16 a.m.
Mark, Irony? Ironic how the govt haters line up for the govt money. And, yes, Jenny always worked on behalf of the citizens of our state. All of them!
Mark Wilson
Fri, Jun 3, 2011 : 10:16 p.m.
Let's see if I have this right. You're criticizing Republican Governors Walker and Snyder, and applauding former Democratic Governor Granholm ... for supporting the same project? I think I detect a pattern here.
Ignatz
Fri, Jun 3, 2011 : 6:01 p.m.
I thought government didn't create jobs. Perhaps I was misinformed.
Michael Wade
Sat, Jun 4, 2011 : 6:41 a.m.
You were misinformed.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Sat, Jun 4, 2011 : 4:56 a.m.
@MW: The article's lead sentence: "Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder said today that he recently had discussions with Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker about workers from both states collaborating to build ships in a bid to boost the Midwestern economy.." Good Night and Good Luck
Mark Wilson
Fri, Jun 3, 2011 : 10:11 p.m.
I don't find a claim of creating jobs anywhere in this article. Did you read that in another source?
Charlie Brown's Ghost
Fri, Jun 3, 2011 : 6:10 p.m.
You're right. The ships will just magically build themselves. Good Night and Good Grief.