Michigan

Funding Will Speed Adoption of Efficiency and Renewable Energy Technologies

June 22, 2009 -- Battle Creek, MI – U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced more than $32 million in Recovery Act funding to support energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in Michigan. Under DOE’s State Energy Program, states have proposed statewide plans that prioritize energy savings, create or retain jobs, increase the use of renewable energy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

This initiative is part of the Obama Administration’s national strategy to support job growth, while making a historic down payment on clean energy.    » read more »

June 19, 2009 -- Washington, DC – All 17 Members of the Michigan Congressional Delegation – 15 Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and two United States Senators – sent the following letter to Ron Bloom and Steven Rattner, members of President Obama’s Auto Task Force, asking them to consider a modification to the existing Auto Supplier Support Program for some short-term relief to their cash crunch. Below is the letter from the members:

June 18, 2009

Mr. Ron Bloom
Counselor to the Secretary
Department of the Treasury
1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20220

Mr. Steven Rattner
Counselor to the Secretary
Department of the Treasury
1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20220

Dear Mr. Bloom and Mr. Rattner,    » read more »

Funds made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act which passed earlier this year

June 17, 2009 -- WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Carl Levin (D-MI) announced today that Michigan has been awarded $69,427,524 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding through the Department of Labor (DOL) to provide unemployment benefits and administer unemployment assistance programs. The funding provides for an increase in benefits to reflect the recent earnings of workers, as well as an expansion of unemployment eligibility to individuals working part-time in the absence of full-time employment opportunities.    » read more »

Creating More Than 11,000 New Jobs in Michigan

June 16, 2009 -- LANSING - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced that Michigan's aggressive strategy to diversify the economy and attract investment to Michigan has resulted in 15 job-creating projects, which will generate more than 11,125 new jobs, retain another 846 and bring more than $247 million in new investment to communities across the state.

The projects span the upper and lower peninsulas and include aerospace, automotive and wind-turbine manufacturers; one of the nation's largest insurance management service companies; and brownfield redevelopments that will transform abandoned and contaminated sites into new centers of economic growth and activity.    » read more »

June 11, 2009 -- LANSING - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and leaders of the 12 federally recognized Indian tribes in Michigan today signed an intergovernmental accord stating their commitment to combat global warming through the reduction of greenhouse gases.

"Native Americans in Michigan are the state's original environmentalists and understand that climate change is not confined to geographic boundaries," Granholm said. "I am pleased that the 12 tribes are working with us to reduce the threat that greenhouse emissions pose to our environment, economy and quality of life."    » read more »

In radio address, governor says Michigan ready to lead national transformation to green economy

June 5, 2009 -- LANSING - In her weekly radio address, Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today said it's been a tough week for Michigan with General Motors filing for bankruptcy and seven GM plants to be closed or idled in the state.

"An era is ending," Granholm said. "While many people will continue working in GM plants building the next generation of vehicles, others will be leaving. And for them, we will help however we can, from extended unemployment benefits to job retraining."

Granholm emphasized that in bankruptcy, both General Motors and Chrysler are being restructured - not liquidated.    » read more »

June 4, 2009 -- LANSING - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and State Transportation Director Kirk T. Steudle today announced that the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has obligated $296.5 million of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) projects three weeks ahead of the June 29, 2009, deadline imposed by federal legislation. By meeting the federal deadline, Michigan is now eligible to receive any Recovery Act funding redistributed from other states.

"This is great news for Michigan workers and Michigan taxpayers," said Granholm. "We are rebuilding Michigan infrastructure while putting Michigan men and women back to work."    » read more »

Application for Part 1 of Michigan's State Stabilization Funds Approved Today

June 3, 2009 -- U. S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced more than $1 billion is now available for Michigan under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. This funding will lay the foundation for a generation of education reform and help save hundreds of thousands of teaching jobs at risk of state and local budget cuts. Michigan will be eligible to apply for another $525 million this fall.

Today's funding is being made available per Michigan's successful completion of Part 1 of the State Stabilization Application, which was made available on April 1st.    » read more »

Funds made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act which passed earlier this year

June 3, 2009 -- WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Carl Levin (D-MI) announced today that Michigan has received $1 billion in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding through the U.S. Department of Education’s State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (SFSF).

This funding will help reform our schools and keep teachers in the classroom. The funding was made available following Michigan’s successful completion of the first round of the SFSF application, which was made available on April 1.    » read more »

06/02/2009 -- ROMULUS, Mich. — While in Romulus today touring the General Motors Romulus Engine Plant, Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis announced that the U.S. Department of Labor is releasing an additional $49.9 million to the state of Michigan to provide career training and employment and case management services to workers whose jobs are impacted for trade-related reasons, as well as for associated administrative costs. Combined with the original fiscal year 2009 allocations, Michigan now has nearly $60 million available to assist trade-affected workers.    » read more »

June 2, 2009 -- WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Carl Levin (D-MI) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) announced today that Michigan has been awarded more than $7,386,000 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding through the U.S. Forest Service. The funding will be used to improve water quality and fish habitats, maintain Forest Service roads and for other enhancements.

“This Forest Service funding will help numerous communities in Michigan make necessary improvements during a tough economic stretch,” said Levin. “I am hopeful that these projects will create much-needed jobs in Michigan and help protect Michigan’s natural resources at the same time.”    » read more »

June 2, 2009 -- WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Carl Levin (D-MI) today applauded the announcement that Michigan will receive a total of $49.9 million in additional Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) from the Department of Labor (DOL) to provide career training for workers who have lost their jobs due to unfair trade. The additional funding brings the total amount of TAA funding allocated to Michigan in Fiscal Year 2009 to over $59.5 million.    » read more »

June 1, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – Senator Carl Levin, D-Mich., said the following today regarding General Motors’ announcement of its bankruptcy filing:

“There is a huge amount of pain associated with today’s announcements by General Motors. There will be plant closings that will cause great hardship to the hard-working Americans who will lose their jobs and to communities in Michigan and across this country.

“Just as we have all done everything we possibly could to help GM survive, we now need to put our shoulders to the wheel for two goals: supporting in every way we can the people whose jobs are lost, in part with a greater emphasis on new energy technologies that can be developed in Michigan, and doing our utmost to help the new GM become a strong and vibrant company.    » read more »

June 1, 2009 -- LANSING - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today issued the following statement on General Motors:

"This is undoubtedly a painful day for General Motors, for Michigan and for the families who depend on GM for their livelihood. Although we knew this day was coming, it doesn't make it any easier. GM and Michigan will emerge from this challenge and help to lead the new green economy.

"At the state level, we will do all we can to protect the people affected - from helping those who lose their jobs with unemployment insurance and job training, to assisting those communities that need investments to find new uses for closed facilities.    » read more »

Stemming Foreclosures and Keeping Families in Their Homes

May 29, 2009 -- Foreclosures continue to drag down our economy, and Michigan has one of the worst foreclosure situations in the nation. To address this issue, Congress passed and President Obama recently signed into law the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009.

The act expands and improves the Help for Homeowners program, the Federal Housing Administration’s tools to protect homeowners, and various counseling and foreclosure prevention programs to provide access and assistance to more people. It will bring much-needed help to many homeowners who are trying desperately to save their homes.    » read more »