The Detroit HOUP will create approximately 135 new jobs (60 new full-time refinery jobs and 75 additional full-time contractor positions) when the project is completed, in addition to the 375 people and 160 contractors already employed at the Detroit refinery. The additional workforce will add an additional $16.5 million to the refinery's annual payroll of $74 million. Modifications at the refinery will provide construction employment for an average of 600 workers per day, peaking at 900 workers per day. In addition, the pipeline construction will create hundreds of jobs for the four to six month construction period.
How will Marathon address training to assist Detroit residents in obtaining the jobs created by this Project?
Marathon, working with Detroit Workforce Development Department, has created a workshop that will offer assistance to Detroit residents in taking pre-employment tests. This will better prepare interested residents who have applied for employment at the refinery. In addition, Marathon is working with representatives of Wayne County Community College District and Henry Ford Community College to develop curriculum that would prepare Detroit residents for refinery operator positions that will be needed with the completion of the expanded refinery. The company is committed to offering 10 scholarships a year for at least 10 years to Detroit residents interested in pursuing a career in process technology.
How will Marathon ensure that most jobs will stay within Michigan and not go to outside states/communities?
For the 75 full-time contract employee positions, we will continue to use local contractors to supplement the Marathon workforce. We have discussed our intention to hire as many Detroit residents for these jobs as possible and expect our contractors to hire local residents to the extent possible. We are relying on the expertise at the Detroit Workforce Development Department to assist in recruiting for these positions.
What is Marathon doing to ensure that the economic benefit of this project goes to the immediate community?
In addition to the responses above, Marathon, in conjunction with Detroit Workforce Development Department and the Michigan Building & Construction Trades Council, hosted a construction jobs opportunity event in May 2008 for Detroit residents interested in working on the construction project or at new jobs at the refinery that will be created by the project. We are collaborating with these organizations so that as many Detroit residents are hired for the construction jobs as possible.
The project will generate additional tax revenue for the City of Detroit. We also expect there will be millions of dollars in spin-off spending associated with this $2.2 billion project.
Marathon is also working with the Detroit City Planning Department and a group of community representatives to develop a community benefit project. At this time it is our understanding that the community representatives are working on a list of potential projects for consideration.