LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- Gov. Jennifer Granholm says Michigan's advanced battery credit legislation is bringing new jobs to the state.
Granholm joined A123 Systems Inc. workers Thursday to celebrate the company's expansion in Livonia and Romulus. A123 says it will start hiring more than 500 skilled workers beginning this year.
The Watertown, Mass.-based company develops and manufactures advanced lithium-ion batteries and battery systems. It has reached a new supply agreement with Fisker Automotive for the Karma plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.
A123 plans to make the Karma battery systems at its Livonia plant. It also has leased a plant in Romulus.
Granholm says in a release that the jobs announcement is evidence the strategy developed in 2006 "to make Michigan the advanced battery capital of the world is working."
