During her traditional year-end discussion with reporters yesterday,
the governor said 2009 was a watershed year for the state of Michigan, saying
that the “perfect storm” of the financial crisis and global recession left the
state with no choice but to diversify its economy and increase educational
attainment.
“There’s no question that 2009 was a critical
year for our state,” the governor said. “It was a year in which we had
some of the toughest challenges we’ve faced, from the General Motors and
Chrysler bankruptcies to state revenues falling to a 45-year low when adjusted
for inflation. Those challenges were painful, but they underscored that we
have the right plan to give citizens new opportunities for a secure way of
life.”
Key messages:
• The governor pointed to a
number of positive developments that validate the state’s efforts to diversify
Michigan’s economy in the sectors of advanced manufacturing, clean energy,
defense and homeland security, life sciences, film and tourism.
• These include an emerging
advanced-battery industry in Michigan; a growing solar energy industry,
particularly in the Saginaw Valley; investments in electric vehicles by GM, Ford
and Chrysler; a burgeoning film industry; and enrollment topping 105,000 in the
state’s No Worker Left Behind job-training program.
• The governor emphasized the
crucial assistance the Obama administration provided to Michigan in 2009, saying
we’re grateful for a partner in the White House that has helped us weather this
economic storm and move the state forward. From the GM and Chrysler rescue
to the Recovery Act, the Obama administration has provided a lifeline for
Michigan during these tough times.
• The governor added that
Recovery Act dollars have enabled Michigan to retain or create thousands of jobs
and also have boosted education, job-training, health care, public safety, road
construction and unemployment insurance.
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