By Sen. John Proos, R-St. Joseph

During the past two years, we have made bold reforms to turn around our economy and attract job providers to the state by declaring to the world that Michigan is open for business.
We have already seen positive results in reduced unemployment and increased net job creation for the first time in a decade.
Another illustration that our efforts to put our state on the right track are working is that a business magazine recently named Michigan as the No. 4 state for major new corporate facilities and expansions in 2012.
Site Selection, a global business publication, verified 337 projects in Michigan that met capital investment, job-creation or size standards as part of its annual Governor’s Cup ranking, putting the state behind only Texas, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
This latest ranking for business growth is outstanding news for jobs, both in Southwest Michigan and statewide.
We have added jobs for two consecutive years in Michigan and more companies are choosing to locate and create jobs right here in our great state.
An example of a new corporate project located in Southwest Michigan is Hark Orchids’ new propagation facility in Kalamazoo. This is the company’s first global expansion outside of Germany. The facility is currently under construction and the company plans to hire about 30 area residents this summer.
In just a short period of time, we have made great strides toward restoring and re-energizing our economy.
The tough and important steps we have taken to transform Michigan into a state that encourages job growth and investment are being noticed and rewarded by entrepreneurs from across the globe and from across the street.
I am proud to call Southwest Michigan home and am excited to see more job creators are deciding to do the same.
Most importantly, I am committed to building upon our accomplishments to help create the good, long-term jobs that will allow our children and grandchildren to choose to call Michigan home as well.
Sen. John Proos, R-St. Joseph, represents the 21st District, which includes Berrien and Cass counties and most of Van Buren County.