A new report indicates Nestle Waters North America employs roughly 280 Michiganders and spends 51 million dollars annually on Michigan goods and services.
The report, which was paid for by Nestle, indicates that the company’s presence helps to support a total of 765 jobs in the state, through what researchers are calling a ‘waterfall effect.’
David Holtz is with the Michigan Sierra Club, an environmental group. He said it’s no accident that the report comes as the state considers Nestle’s request for a permit to increase water pumping in Osceola County.
“This is another marketing exercise by Nestle. I don’t there is any question they are trying to use a political argument to persuade the state to give them the permit that so far even their neighbors in Osceola Township don’t want.”
Nestle Waters announced earlier this month that it will take Osceola Township to court over the township's ban on Nestles request to build a new pumping station.
Arlene Anderson-Vincent is with Nestle Waters North America. She said the report isn’t related to the permit.
“Getting the word out and letting people know us. We always try to operate in a transparent matter and there has been a lot of discussion about us. This is not related to the permit.”
But Holtz said Michigan has allowed Nestle to withdraw water at a very low cost for a long time.
“There’s no question the demand for freshwater is increasing worldwide and for Michigan do we still want to give away our groundwater to Nestle at increasing levels even if it results in lower groundwater levels and potentially impacting our streams and rivers.”
Anderson-Vincent said the report, ultimately, is to help Michiganders get to know the company better.
“You know there has been a lot of discussion about us lately so this is a good opportunity for people to get to know us a little bit better.”
Anderson-Vincent said the report's release is also part of Nestle Waters 15th anniversary in Michigan.