ANN ARBOR, Mich., Jan. 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- MichBio, Michigan’s trade association for the life sciences, announced that it will begin to serve as a clearinghouse for Pfizer employees seeking new opportunities, whether business venture or employment. Resumes will be accepted for those seeking job placements and MichBio will endeavor to match them to open positions available at life science or service provider companies. MichBio encourages all of the state’s life science companies to bring forward their specific employment needs. All communications should be directed to MichBio at biojobs@michbio.org or by calling (734) 615-9670.
With Pfizer’s announcement on Monday that it will close its facilities in both Ann Arbor and Kalamazoo, over 2,400 jobs will be eliminated. “It is MichBio’s mission to attract and grow biotech firms here in Michigan,” said Stephen T. Rapundalo, executive director of MichBio. “While we have begun to see positive results from our efforts, announcements like the one yesterday cause us all to re-evaluate how best to make Michigan successful.
“MichBio has made a commitment to work closely with the Governor and the Michigan legislature, the cities of Ann Arbor and Kalamazoo, Washtenaw and Kalamazoo counties, the University of Michigan, Eastern and Western Michigan Universities, economic development groups like Ann Arbor SPARK and Southwest Michigan First, as well as other key stakeholders, to develop a bold strategic action plan that will help address the potential economic impact of the Pfizer closures,” Rapundalo added. “The retention of a strong talent pool, creation of opportunities for new technology business ventures, and the provision of other resources to keep current Michigan life science workers and their families here, are paramount objectives. We must redouble our efforts in this sector of the economy and state policy is a very important component of what we do.”
Rapundalo noted that MichBio looks forward to working with the Michigan legislature and the business community to insure that legislative initiatives like the Michigan Business Tax are enacted and will visibly demonstrate a life sciences-friendly business environment. “Now is not the time to move forward on any legislative effort like tort reform repeal that could be considered counter productive. We need to set our state apart, preserve what we have and indeed, bring more biotech jobs into our economy. Michigan needs courageous leadership to solve this immediate crisis and MichBio stands ready to take an active role.”
MichBio is a statewide, non-profit organization dedicated to driving the growth of the life sciences industry in Michigan. The association serves a diverse membership, including new and established life sciences companies, academic and research institutions, as well as service providers and related organizations throughout the state. It provides networking and educational events, offers a web portal to industry-specific state and national information, addresses public policy, and is focusing on the human resource, funding and infrastructure issues affecting Michigan’s biosciences industry. For more information visit the MichBio website at www.michbio.org.
MichBio
CONTACT: Jayne Berkaw, Director, Marketing and Communications of MichBio,+1-734-615-9661, jayne@michbio.org
Web site: http://www.michbio.org//
