MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon and U.S. Sen. Carl Levin discuss the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams during a July 1, 2008 event. Photo by G. L. Kohuth.

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EAST LANSING, Mich. — U.S. Sen. Carl Levin and Michigan State University President Lou Anna K. Simon joined today with business, labor and economic development leaders to announce a united Michigan campaign to help MSU win a national competition for the $550 million Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB), funded by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Levin has pledged his support for the massive project along with Gov. Jennifer Granholm, U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow and U.S. Reps. John Dingell and Mike Rogers.

The facility would bring in $1 billion in economic activity and 400 new jobs to Michigan, generating $187 million in new tax revenues over the next 20 years if it is located at MSU, according to an economic and fiscal impact analysis by Anderson Economic Group. More than 30 officials, including Michigan Chamber of Commerce President Elect Richard K. Studley and Michigan AFL-CIO President Mark Gaffney, have agreed to join the committee to make the strongest case possible with federal officials.

“We are preparing a tremendous proposal that shows Michigan can provide the scientific, educational and management edge for this major research facility,” Simon said. “Our Leadership Advisory Committee will assist Michigan’s congressional delegation as they help us make the case for Michigan and work with DOE to secure the needed funding.” 

Levin said, “The benefits of FRIB would stretch across the state of Michigan, creating jobs and new educational opportunities, not to mention the potential for scientific breakthroughs with applications in medical technology and other critical areas. We are working in Congress to make sure that this great plan MSU has put together receives full and fair consideration.”

Granholm noted that winning this project would help Michigan regain some of the tax dollars it sends to the federal government. “The National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory has long been an important asset to our state, attracting scientists from around the world and federal research funds. We are still a donor state to Washington, and having this facility is essential to maintain and build MSU’s science research capabilities and bring in important federal dollars.”

The NSCL staff is preparing an application in response to the DOE’s Funding Opportunity Announcement to locate this world-class facility at MSU. DOE is expected to decide by November.

According to Simon, placing this facility in a university setting is in the nation’s best interest. “We have the whole package at NSCL — the history of excellent management, the leading scientists and the unique ability to engage and spark young science minds and educate the work force of tomorrow,” she said.

MSU ranks No. 2 in the nation in its nuclear physics graduate degree program, according to U.S. News & World Report, and awards 10 percent of the nation’s nuclear physics doctoral degrees.

“The best way to ensure future success is to build on past success,” Simon said.

Stabenow said the Leadership Advisory Committee will play an important role in helping Michigan win the facility.

“The leadership committee being announced today is recognition of MSU’s world class leadership as well as the vital importance of this project to Michigan,” she said. “This team of state leaders will be of critical help to me and members of our delegation in our efforts to make this project a reality.”

Rogers said, “This project will put Michigan at the forefront of cutting edge nuclear science. It will be great for our economy and will attract scientists, employers and jobs. If America acts now, Michigan can lead.”

“The National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory is not only an important asset to MSU, but it is also a critical piece of the University Research Corridor,” Dingell said. He added that Michigan’s lawmakers and the Leadership Advisory Committee “are very much aware of the economic and academic benefit of having such a first-class facility located in our state and together we will work together to outline why MSU should be selected.”

Patrick Anderson, CEO of Anderson Economic Group, said the FRIB project, once operational, would result in more than 400 new jobs in Michigan and $62 million in new earnings annually, along with new construction jobs.

“Investing in the FRIB would be a home run for Michigan,” Anderson said. “It is clear that the FRIB is worth a full-scale effort by the state to bring it here.”

Nuclear science research, such as that conducted at MSU’s cyclotron, is published and used around the world in practical applications, ranging from life-saving medical diagnostic equipment to cancer treatments. The FRIB project would also produce major spin-off applications in medical sciences, national security, materials sciences and other businesses.

FRIB Leadership Advisory Committee members:

• Thomas Anderson, Director, Automation Alley Technology Center
• Bruce Andrews, Vice President, Government Relations, Ford Motor Co.
• Dennis Archer, Chairman, Dickinson Wright PLLC
• John C. Austin, Executive Director, New Economy Initiative for Southeast Michigan
• Donna Banks, Senior Vice President, Kellogg Institute for Food and Nutrition Research
• James J. Blanchard, Partner, DLA Piper
• John D. Cherry, Lieutenant Governor, State of Michigan
• Mary Sue Coleman, President, University of Michigan
• Doug DeVos, President, Alticor Inc.
• Richard DeVos, Co-founder, Amway Corp.
• Debbie Dingell, President, General Motors Corp. Foundation
• Matt Dugener, President and CEO, Lansing Economic Area Partnership
• Michael Duggan, President and CEO, Detroit Medical Center
• Robert Ficano, County Executive, Wayne County
• Mark Gaffney, President, Michigan State AFL-CIO
• Elizabeth R. Haar, President and CEO, Accident Fund Insurance Co. of America
• James P. Hackett, President and CEO, Steelcase Inc.
• Steven Hamp, Chair, New Economy Initiative for Southeast Michigan
• Damian Handzy, Chairman and CEO, Investor Analytics
• David C. Hollister, President and CEO, Prima Civitas Foundation
• Chris Holman, Publisher, Greater Lansing Business Monthly
• Sarah Hubbard, Vice President, Government Relations, Detroit Regional Chamber
• Michael J. Jandernoa, Executive Committee Member, Bridge Street Capital Partners
• Rick Jones, Representative, Michigan House of Representatives
• David W. Joos, President and CEO, CMS Energy
• Frank J. Kelley, Partner, Kelley Cawthorne
• Mary Kramer, Publisher, Crain’s Detroit Business
• Larry Kull
• Daniel J. Loepp, President and CEO, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
• Peggy McLellan, Secretary-Treasurer, Michigan Education Association
• Jay Noren, President Designate, Wayne State University
• Joseph C. Papa, Chairman and CEO, Perrigo Co.
• L. Brooks Patterson, County Executive, Oakland County
• Randall L. Pittman, Chairman and CEO, Forest Health Services
• Dick Posthumus, CEO, Compatico
• Hilary Ratner, Vice President for Research, Wayne State University
• Doug Rothwell, President, Detroit Renaissance
• John J. H. Schwarz, Former Member of Congress
• Peter Secchia, Chairman and Managing Partner, SIBSCO
• Richard K. Studley, President Elect, Michigan Chamber of Commerce
• Steven Van Andel, Chairman, Alticor Inc.
• Mark Verbrugge, Materials and Processes Lab Director, General Motors Corp.
• Kenneth L. Way, Retired Chairman and CEO, Lear Corp.
• Philip Zecher, Partner and Chief Risk Officer, EQA Partners LP

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Michigan State University has been advancing knowledge and transforming lives through innovative teaching, research and outreach for more than 150 years. MSU is known internationally as a major public university with global reach and extraordinary impact. Its 17 degree-granting colleges attract scholars worldwide who are interested in combining education with practical problem solving.

You can learn more about the Michigan’s efforts to win the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams at http://scienceandjobsformichigan.com.