[magellan]

Google exec sees 'tremendous growth' in state
Saturday, February 03, 2007
By Chris Knape
The Grand Rapids Press

GRAND RAPIDS -- It's not the stacks of resumes, or his company's status as a hope for diversifying Michigan's sputtering economy that have Grady Burnett happy to be back in Michigan.

It's certainly not the weather.

At least not Friday's frigid weather when Burnett, who heads Google's online sales and operations at its 4-month-old Ann Arbor office, was in Grand Rapids to speak to the Michigan Press Association.

For him, it's the 50-some people occupying his increasingly crowded office.

They have helped validate Google Inc.'s decision last year to open what is expected to be a 1,000-person outpost in Michigan.

"A lot of what we expected in terms of our decision to come here are really bearing out," Burnett said. "We're seeing tremendous growth. We're seeing a lot of great, talented people and we've received an amazingly warm reception, just coming to this state."

mlive.com/business/grpress/index.ssf?/base/business-4/1170488102266860.xml&coll=6

Businesses expand where they feel they have the greatest chance for success. Google didn't make $1 Billion in profits on $3 Billion in revenue last quarter because they don't know what they're doing, or make rash decisions.

In the Grand Rapids area, tech workers are highly sought after because of the relatively small tech program at GVSU.

[M TYPE X]

It would be so nice to hear of more things like this. However, most of these kinds of press releases are pie-in-the-sky.

[Siberia]

With the new 2% service business tax, I'm sure more out of state companies will be tripping over each other to start a venture in Michigan. Wow, what a way to lure new companies and spur small business in Michigan...nothing like dumping a $1.5 BILLION dollar new tax on them each and every year.

[magellan]

It would be so nice to hear of more things like this. However, most of these kinds of press releases are pie-in-the-sky.

That wasn't a press release. That was an interview with the Google Exec running Ann Arbor's new office, just after a Press club meeting. I don't know why it's "pie-in-the-sky", those are his direct quotes and Google's basis for expanding their Adwords division to Ann Arbor (and Michigan).