Dow Chief Talks To Local Business Leaders About Merger

MIDLAND, Mich. (AP) - Local business leaders say the chief executive of Dow Chemical assured them that the company's Michigan hometown won't be neglected after a merger with DuPont.

The Midland Daily News says Andrew Liveris and other Dow officials discussed the merger Tuesday over lunch with business leaders at Midland Country Club. The newspaper says it was barred from attending.

Jimmy Greene, president of Associated Builders and Contractors of Greater Michigan, says Liveris said the merger would "cement and solidify Dow's presence" in Midland "for years to come."

The chemical giants want to merge and then break into three separate companies.

Mike Hayes, president of the Midland Center for the Arts, attended the lunch and says he believes the merger will make Dow much stronger.