Michigan

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

May 18, 2009 -- WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Carl Levin (D-MI) announced today that Michigan will receive $4,795,000 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The funding will help finance public safety services in rural communities protect.

“This investment will help ensure that families living in rural communities have access to law enforcement, health care, and other essential services,” said Stabenow. “I am pleased that this recovery funding will help keep our rural communities safe, and will help create good-paying jobs at the same time.”    » read more »

May 18, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – Senator Carl Levin, D-Mich., said the following today:

“The Administration’s anticipated announcement for joint EPA-DOT regulation of greenhouse gas emissions and fuel economy contains two important elements that I have been fighting for over many years. First, it will establish a single national standard that will provide predictability and certainty for the auto companies in meeting regulations, which the industry apparently believes it can achieve over a realistic timeframe.    » read more »

Governor in her radio address says legislation will offer extra time, resources to help Michigan families avoid foreclosure

May 16, 2009 -- LANSING - In her weekly radio address, Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today hailed a conference committee agreement between the Michigan Senate and House of Representatives on legislation that will freeze foreclosure proceedings for 90 days for homeowners who commit to work with their lender on modifying their mortgage loan.    » read more »

Governors receive advisory group recommendations

May 14, 2009 -- A 42 person advisory group representing utilities, power generators, oil companies, manufacturers, labor, and environmental groups agreed yesterday to a set of Final Draft Recommendations that governors from six Midwestern states and the premier of Manitoba will use to develop a regional plan to cap and reduce global warming emissions.

The group advising the Midwestern Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord (MGGRA) members—Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin and Manitoba—indicated a strong preference for Congress to enact a federal level program to address climate change.    » read more »

May 12, 2009 -- LANSING - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today signed a bill into law that authorizes a tax credit to support LG Chem-Compact Power Inc's $200 million lithium-ion battery manufacturing operation in Troy, a partnership with General Motors, which was approved last month by the Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) board. The project is expected to create more than 300 new jobs in Michigan.

Legislation that established tax credits for three other advanced battery projects - Johnson Controls-Saft Advanced Power Solutions LLC, KD Advanced Battery Group LLC, and A123Systems Inc. - was signed into law by the governor in January and April.    » read more »

National Emergency Grant provided during 1st Michigan trip for Secretary Solis

05/11/2009 -- TROY, Mich. — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the release of $4,125,000 in National Emergency Grant funds to continue helping approximately 1,500 workers affected by permanent closures and mass layoffs in Michigan's automotive industry.

Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis announced the funding increment during a visit to Compact Power Inc., a Troy company that is bringing the power of lithium-ion poly battery technology to North America for hybrid electric and plug-in electric vehicles in the automotive, commercial and military markets.    » read more »

May 11, 2009 -- LANSING - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today said that Michigan's plan to diversify the state's economy by growing the renewable energy sector to create jobs is the right plan for Michigan. This afternoon, the governor is scheduled to address 1,400 attendees at the Green Today, Jobs Tomorrow conference in Lansing that is bringing together a variety of stakeholders, including business, education and training, labor, environmental, community and faith-based partners who are currently working on various facets of creating a green economy.    » read more »

Radio address highlights upcoming green jobs summit

May 8, 2009 -- LANSING - In her weekly radio address, Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today said that President Obama's plan to build a renewable energy economy presents enormous opportunity for job creation in Michigan and is consistent with our plan to grow the renewable energy sector to create jobs.    » read more »

Michigan will receive the largest amount of new grant money which will create jobs, revitalize communities

Lansing, MI – May 7, 2009 -- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson announced today the availability of an estimated $10.3 million in grants bolstered by funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to help communities in Michigan clean up sites known as "brownfields" which may be contaminated by hazardous chemicals or pollutants.    » read more »

Ford invests $550 million to transform Michigan Assembly Plant (formerly Michigan Truck Plant) from a large SUV factory into a modern, flexible small car plant

WAYNE, Mich., May 6, 2009 – Ford Motor Company said today it is investing $550 million to transform its Michigan Assembly Plant into a lean, green and flexible manufacturing complex that will build Ford’s next-generation Focus global small car along with a new battery-electric version of the Focus for the North American market.    » read more »

Investment to retain thousands of jobs, make state a leader in new generation of vehicles

May 6, 2009 --
LANSING - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced that Ford Motor Company plans to invest up to $550 million to convert the Michigan assembly plant in Wayne, which previously manufactured large-body vehicles such as the Expedition and Navigator, into a flexible facility that will manufacture smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles and Ford's first battery electric vehicle.    » read more »

Granholm's trip elevates state's profile with world leaders in growing industry

May 5, 2009 -- LANSING - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today addressed the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) conference in Chicago, the world's largest annual wind-energy industry event, touting Michigan's successes and potential in the fast-growing industry to thousands of wind-energy leaders, turbine and supply manufacturers, and service providers.    » read more »

May 1, 2009 -- LANSING - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced that Michigan school districts will receive $369 million in Title I funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment and Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). Recovery Act funding for Title 1 Part A will allow Michigan school districts with a high percentage of children from low-income families to provide additional academic support for at-risk children. Title 1 Part D funds will provide educational support to students in state agencies and local institutions for neglected or delinquent children.    » read more »

Coordinating communities' efforts will increase number of college graduates

April 28, 2009 -- LANSING - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced the launch of the Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) to accelerate the state's efforts to diversify the economy by doubling the number of Michigan's college graduates.

The initiative will promote postsecondary education by supporting local college access programs, which help citizens learn about higher education options, get into college, and earn their degrees. The network is expected to be up and running in the fall of 2010.    » read more »

More than $2.4 million for conservation, rehabilitation projects

April 24, 2009 -- LANSING - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced that the U.S. Department of Interior and the National Park Service (NPS) will invest more than $2.4 million in Recovery Act funds in two of Michigan's national parks: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and Isle Royale National Park.

"Sleeping Bear Dunes and Isle Royale are absolute gems, containing some of the rarest species and landscapes in the country," said Granholm. "Recovery Act dollars will help protect and maintain these unique places for the world to enjoy today and tomorrow."

Almost $2.25 million of the $2.4 million total will fund efforts at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore to:    » read more »