LANSING – The latest round of economic development announcements shows Michigan is gaining momentum in terms of building jobs, Gov. Jennifer Granholm and Michigan Economic Development Corporation President Greg Main said Tuesday, but Granholm also worried that concerns about a double-dip recession could actually trigger a second round of the national recession.

Speaking to reporters as the Michigan Economic Growth Authority issued its latest round of awards that officials said should result in as many as 2,900 new and retained jobs, Granholm said she understood the need for candor on the economy, especially as the latest statistics on economic activity indicated weakness.

But at the same time, such comments could actually frighten people into not engaging in economic activities to help bolster both the national and state economies, Granholm said.

“We have started to emerge from this (recession) in a robust way and if there is a double-dip recession, that will impact Michigan as it impacts every other state,” she said, though it will not deter the state from continuing its strategy of trying to diversify the economy.

And despite years of being the nation’s economic foundling, Michigan is now showing strength, both she and Main said. A recent study by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia showed that Michigan was in the top five of states in recent job growth, Granholm said.

This year should also be the first since 2000 when the state will see a net increase in automotive hiring, she said.

And Main said that through June the state had some 86,000 more people working than it did the year before.

Among the corporate announcements on Tuesday, KOASTAL Kontakt Systeme Incorporated said, with a $3.9 million state tax credit, the German-based firm could hire more than 240 workers for its electric components plant in Rochester Hills. Also, General Electric, helped by a $2.3 million credit, announced another new project in Van Buren Township to employ 130 people for a proprietary manufacturing center.

There were a total of 11 projects announced on Tuesday.

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