Michigan

Implores companies to think of thousands of families that will be affected

April 22, 2009 --
LANSING - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today called on banks and hedge funds that are secured lenders of Chrysler to return to the bargaining table with a new counter-offer that can help the company avoid bankruptcy. Granholm said for the lenders, who received billions of dollars in taxpayer funds to secure their own viability, to do otherwise is unacceptable.

"Who knew when we were bailing out the banks we were setting them up to kill the auto industry," Granholm said. "They need to think about the tens of thousands of workers whose lives hang in the balance because the banks want to get a better deal than what even the market will bear. It's totally unacceptable."    » read more »

Mariah Power, MasTech Manufacturing to make revolutionary turbine in Manistee

April 20, 2009 -- LANSING - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today said the $4 million Windspire manufacturing facility in Manistee that will create up to 140 jobs is in keeping with Michigan's plan to grow the renewable energy sector, create jobs and reduce the nation's dependence on foreign oil in the process. The partnership between Nevada-based Mariah Power and Michigan-based MasTech puts an underused auto plant to work as a factory for the Windspire, a wind-power system for homes and businesses.    » read more »

Radio address: diversity key to fighting unemployment and accelerating recovery

April 17, 2009 --
LANSING - In her weekly radio address, Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today said that creating all kinds of jobs for all kinds of people is key to fighting unemployment and accelerating Michigan's recovery. The governor signed legislation earlier in the week extending unemployment benefits for jobless citizens, enabling them to help support their families while seeking employment or training for new careers.

"By supporting our workers today and diversifying our economy for tomorrow, we are moving in a determined fashion day-to-day to shape the next Michigan," Granholm said.    » read more »

Phase I of proposed projects would link Chicago, St. Louis

April 14, 2009 -- JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri Governor Jay Nixon and the governors of seven other Midwestern states have joined in support of high-speed passenger rail projects to link cities in their region, with Chicago as the hub. The governors, along with Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, have sent a letter to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood asking him to support plans that have been in place for several years for key rail corridors between cities in their states, including St. Louis to Chicago.    » read more »

Companies investing $1.7 billion

April 14, 2009 -- LANSING - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced that Michigan's aggressive effort to grow the advanced-battery industry and the jobs it will create has resulted in four companies announcing plans to invest more than $1.7 billion to launch advanced-battery manufacturing facilities in Michigan. The projects that will create 6,683 new jobs in Michigan were awarded state refundable tax credits that will help the companies in their quest for some of the $2 billion in federal grants for advanced-battery research and development.

The four projects announced today are: Johnson Controls-Saft Advanced Power Solutions LLC, LG Chem-Compact Power Inc., KD Advanced Battery Group LLC, and A123Systems Inc.    » read more »

Projects include investments in advanced battery, film industry, IT software, auto R&D, agriculture

April 14, 2009 -- LANSING - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced that Michigan's aggressive strategy to diversify the economy and grow entire new industries has resulted in 14 job-creating projects, generating more than 7,700 new jobs and over $2 billion in new investment in communities across the state.

The projects include: four advanced-battery manufacturing projects; six company expansions in diverse industries like agriculture, automotive research and development and IT business software; a new film production studio; and three brownfield redevelopments that will transform blighted and abandoned sites into new centers of economic growth and activity.    » read more »

Legislation part of state's continued efforts to protect citizens

April 13, 2009 -- LANSING - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today signed legislation that provides jobless Michigan workers with up to seven additional weeks of unemployment benefits.

"In these extremely difficult times, I am pleased we can provide some additional financial help to unemployed workers in the state," Granholm said. "These additional unemployment benefits will not only help families in meeting their basic needs, but they also provide an economic boost to Michigan businesses - the service stations, grocery stores, and retailers - who sell the goods and services families need."    » read more »

I-94 reconstruction in Kalamazoo County 2,000th Recovery Act road project

April 13, 2009 -- LANSING - In a speech in Washington, D.C., today, President Barack Obama announced that reconstruction of Interstate 94 at Westnedge Avenue in Kalamazoo County is the 2,000th highway project approved under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). The President also praised the efforts of Michigan and other states to bring projects in on time and under budget. To date, bids on Michigan's Recovery Act road projects have come in 17 percent below projected cost.    » read more »

City will restore historic railroad freighthouse for community use

April 10, 2009 -- LANSING - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced during a ceremonial check presentation that a historic railroad freighthouse in Ypsilanti will soon see new life as a community center, farmers market, café and historic education center.

The city of Ypsilanti will restore the historic Ypsilanti Freighthouse, one of 22 transportation enhancement (TE) projects recently announced to benefit Michigan communities, with $500,000 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) funds. U.S. Congressman John Dingell also participated in the check presentation.    » read more »

Governor's radio address discusses importance of diversifying Michigan's economy and attracting more high-tech jobs

April 10, 2009 -- LANSING - In her weekly radio address, Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today said that Michigan will help reduce our nation's dependence on foreign oil by becoming the advanced-battery capital of the world and the home of a new generation of electric vehicles. This week, the governor signed legislation for additional refundable tax credits, bringing the total to $555 million, that will expand opportunities for companies to develop and manufacture advanced batteries in Michigan.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, DC, Wednesday, April 8, 2009 -- U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood today announced that airports around the country will receive $258 million under the recently enacted American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).

“Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act we are creating jobs across the country while investing in the long-term safety and economic vitality of our airports,” said Secretary LaHood.    » read more »

March 26, 2009 -- LANSING - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today issued the following statement on the state Senate's passage of legislation authorizing millions of dollars in federal recovery funding for road projects.

"With authorization for these vital road and transit projects accomplished so quickly, we can put this money to work for citizens throughout the state. The 25,000 jobs created by this funding will help us rebuild Michigan's infrastructure and revitalize our economy. It is urgent that we get Michigan's share of federal recovery money into our state's economy in order to accelerate our own recovery plan. I want to thank our legislators for acting quickly to clear the way for this important economic opportunity for Michigan."    » read more »

Governor's radio address encourages locals to pursue competitive grant opportunities

March 20, 2009 -- LANSING - In her weekly radio address, Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today said that the billions of dollars the state is slated to receive through the federal economic recovery act will help Michigan citizens and families by putting people to work, by protecting health care for the vulnerable, making college more affordable, and keeping our communities safe.    » read more »

March 19, 2009 -- LANSING - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today issued the following statement on President Obama's announcement on Recovery Act funds for hybrid vehicle and advanced battery technologies:

"I applaud President Obama for his remarks today on the future of vehicle electrification and grid technologies. The announcement that the Department of Energy will award $2.4 billion in grants under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for advanced battery manufacturing and electric vehicle deployment comes at a critical time.    » read more »

Federal act will provide a safety net for families, create jobs

March 19, 2009 -- LANSING - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today said that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) will help protect millions of citizens impacted by the national recession and allow the state to move forward with its plans to grow the economy and create jobs by providing education and training for workers and invest in the new energy economy.

The governor explained that the billions of dollars coming to the state will help citizens and families in a variety of ways from putting people to work and ensuring that health care continues for the vulnerable, to making education more affordable and our communities safer.    » read more »