Michigan

Lawmaker Instrumental in Securing Funds to Increase Job Security for Michigan Workers and Troops’ Safety

October 5, 2009 -- Detroit, MI — Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (MI-13) today announced that General Dynamics Land Systems of Sterling Heights has been awarded a $430 million contract from the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development, and Engineering Center (TARDEC).

Under the five-year contract, General Dynamics Land Systems will provide manufacturing and engineering services to assist TARDEC with its core focus areas, including system engineering, intelligent ground systems, vehicle electronics and architecture, and software.    » read more »

October 7, 2009 -- WASHINGTON D.C. – On September 30th the U.S. Department of Labor announced three National Emergency Grants totaling $38,033,600 to assist workers affected by documented layoffs from multiple companies in Michigan; $19,016,800 will be released initially. These funds will provide much needed assistance to workers who are currently displaced and those affected by future layoffs occurring within these southeastern Michigan during the grants’ 12-month period of performance. Congressman John Conyers, Jr. made the following statement regarding the grants:    » read more »

Unveils MGA Jobs Platform and Energy Infrastructure Accord

October 7, 2009 -- LANSING - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today said that Michigan will continue to collaborate with other Midwest partners to make the region the clean energy center of the United States. Granholm made her comments during the closing session of the Midwestern Governors Association (MGA) Jobs and Energy Forum, where she joined with Governor Jim Doyle of Wisconsin to unveil MGA's Jobs Platform and Energy Infrastructure Accord.    » read more »

October 6, 2009 -- LANSING - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced approval of key state incentives to help move forward the transformation of the idled Wixom Assembly plant into a renewable energy production center. The project, announced last month and subject to approval of Department of Energy loan guarantees that the companies recently applied for, is expected to directly employ an estimated 4,000 workers.

"Michigan is aggressively targeting clean-energy companies, because we are determined to continue diversifying our economy and creating thousands of new green jobs," Granholm said. "Our innovative economic development incentives are helping bring projects like this one to Michigan."    » read more »

First-in-the-nation photovoltaic credits help land Suniva Inc.; 500 new jobs in Saginaw County

October 6, 2009 -- LANSING - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced a significant addition to Michigan's burgeoning clean-energy industrial base as Georgia-based Suniva Inc. (www.suniva.com) will invest $250 million in a new solar manufacturing facility in Saginaw County's Thomas Township.

Suniva will create 500 new jobs over the next five years subject to receiving a Department of Energy loan guarantee, which the company recently applied for.    » read more »

America’s Healthy Future Act Helps Families, Small Businesses, Seniors

October 2, 2009 -- WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, announced her support of the health care legislation that will be agreed to by the committee next week. America’s Healthy Future Act makes it easier for families and small businesses without insurance to purchase health insurance while at the same time increasing their choices. People who currently have insurance will benefit from better coverage and new rules that make insurance companies treat them fairly.    » read more »

October 2, 2009 -- LANSING - In this week's radio address, Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today said while a government shutdown on Thursday was averted, much work remains to be done on the state budget.

"The constitutional deadline for having a budget at the start of the new fiscal year was met, but the work on this budget is far from over," Granholm said. "For while Michigan's constitution simply demands a balanced budget, Michigan's future demands more."    » read more »

More Than 13,000 Workers in 27 Counties Will Benefit

September 29, 2009 -- WASHINGTON — More than 13,000 laid-off workers across Michigan will be assisted by three grants totaling $38,033,600, U.S. Senators Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow, both D-Mich., announced today. The National Emergency Grants from the U.S. Department of Labor will go to the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth for use in 27 counties.

“These grants will play a critical role in assisting the thousands of laid-off workers in Michigan, and I will continue to fight for more funding to support our workforce,” Levin said. “The retraining services these grants will provide will help lead to a diversified work force which can better adapt to new industries.”    » read more »

8,600 workers in 24 counties will receive job retraining and career support services

September 29, 2009 -- LANSING - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced that Michigan has been awarded $38 million by the United States Department of Labor (USDOL) to provide job retraining and career support services for 8,600 dislocated workers in 24 counties. The National Emergency Grants (NEGs) are funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act).    » read more »

DOE and Industry Plot Course for Major Efficiency Improvements

September 10, 2009 -- DETROIT, MI – The U.S. Department of Energy and Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm joined with over 300 industry, state, and federal leaders to recognize industrial efficiency leaders and plot a course to accelerate industrial energy efficiency in the Midwest.    » read more »

September 15, 2009 -- LANSING - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today along with 21 other governors sent a letter to congressional leadership asking Congress to extend unemployment benefits. The letter calls on Congress to authorize another extension of benefits and a continuation of extensions already in place through 2010. Some 100,000 unemployed workers in Michigan and 1.4 million nationally are expected to lose their unemployment benefits by the end of this year.

"Unemployment benefits help protect the unemployed during these difficult economic times while injecting money directly into the Michigan economy," Granholm said. "Employment lags behind economic recovery, and we cannot forget that help for unemployed workers and their families remains a critical need."    » read more »

New agreement stabilizes revenue stream to state, local governments

September 14, 2009 --
LANSING - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi (NHBP) today announced the signing of an amended gaming compact. The amendment officially takes effect when published in the Federal Register.

The amended compact stabilizes the revenue sharing agreement between the state of Michigan and the tribe and its FireKeepers Casino in Emmett Township near Battle Creek. It also restructures the Local Revenue Sharing Board to include more communities near FireKeepers Casino and clarifies the funding formula for local revenue sharing funds.    » read more »

DOE grants to Michigan companies could help create up to 40,000 new jobs by 2020

August 27, 2009 -- LANSING - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today visited Eaton Corporation in Galesburg to highlight the company's key role in a $45.4 million advanced-battery award by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to the South Coast Air Quality Management District. Michigan led the nation earlier this month with the announcement of 12 awards totaling more than $1.35 billion in federal grants for advanced-battery and electric-vehicle manufacturing and development.

Funding for the competitive grants comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The projects are estimated to create 6,800 jobs in the next 18 months and up to 40,000 jobs by 2020.    » read more »

UAW, state & local government support, and GM’s efficient, flexible manufacturing operations make competitive, profitable small car in U.S. possible

2009-06-26 -- DETROIT -- General Motors selected its assembly plant in Orion Township, Mich. and stamping facility in Pontiac, Mich., to build its future small car, which will add to the automaker’s growing portfolio of U.S.-built, highly fuel-efficient cars, including the Chevrolet Cruze and Volt. Today’s announcement will restore approximately 1,400 jobs in total -- 1,200 at Orion Assembly and 200 at Pontiac Metal Center, Building # 14.

This decision is dependent on the successful outcome of ongoing economic incentive negotiations between GM and state and local government officials.    » read more »

Stabenow statement on President Obama’s Executive Order to create White House Council on Automotive Communities and Workers

June 23, 2009 -- WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today made the following statement regarding President Obama’s executive order to create a White House Council on Automotive Communities and Workers.

“Today’s announcement further demonstrates the Obama Administration’s commitment to helping communities that are most affected by restructuring in our automotive industry. With a new White House Council on Automotive Communities and Workers in place, Dr. Montgomery and his team will have the resources they need to provide additional federal support to workers and families who need it most.    » read more »