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Press Release

For Immediate Release
April 22, 2008
Contact: Sean C. Bonyun
(202) 225-3761

Upton Hails MPI Expansion to Create 3,300 New Jobs in SW Michigan

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) released the following statement in response to MPI Research’s announcement that they will move forward with a $330-million expansion in Mattawan and Kalamazoo that will directly create 3,300 new jobs:

“Today’s jobs announcement is tremendous news that will transform our economic landscape, creating thousands of quality jobs right here in our own backyard.  MPI is an invaluable member of our community, and I applaud their commitment to expanding operations here in southwest Michigan, further anchoring their standing as a cornerstone of our life sciences corridor.

“MPI’s landmark expansion will serve notice to the world business community that our region is the destination for life science research.  From our first-rate academic institutions, to our world-class research laboratories, southwest Michigan is at the forefront of research that will transform global health.”

Headquartered in Mattawan, MPI Research focuses on the safety evaluation and toxicology needs of the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, chemical, agricultural and related industries.  MPI Research will invest approximately $300 million to expand its operations, including $30 million to launch new operations in Kalamazoo.

Upton is a strong supporter of southwest Michigan’s life sciences community.  Last Friday, Upton visited Kalamazoo Valley Community College to announce $331,000 that he secured in Congress to boost the institution’s life sciences initiatives.  KVCC is at the cutting edge of health research, and the funding will greatly enhance the institution’s drug discovery efforts on behalf of the pharmaceutical industry. 

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