From: Whipple, Deb (GOV)
Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2009 6:09 PM
Subject: What the Governor's talking athis week
Governor Announces More Than 3,000 New Jobs for Michigan
On Tuesday the governor announced that the Michigan Economic Development Corporation is helping five companies grow in Michigan and backing three brownfield redevelopment projects. Combined, the eight projects are expected to create 3,070 new jobs and generate over $138 million in new investment in the state.
The projects include a next-generation chemical company focused on manufacturing bio-based materials, a start-up health care manufacturing company, and brownfield redevelopments that will transform abandoned and contaminated sites into new centers of economic growth and activity.
 
On Thursday the governor visited one of those brownfield sites, the Founder’s Landing waterfront project in Marquette.  State and local tax capture valued at $30.5 million will support securing and preserving the 29-acre property which includes 3,600 feet of Lake Superior shoreline. The project will generate $57 million in new capital investment and create up to 150 new jobs.
 
Talking points:
 
•  The Granholm administration’s strategy to diversify and grow Michigan’s economy continues to produce results for Michigan workers.
 
•  The range of companies investing and creating jobs in Michigan demonstrates that we have the competitive business climate and highly-skilled workforce that companies are seeking as they compete in today’s economy.
 
•  The MEDC has used up almost all the MEGA tax credits available this year under present law.  House-passed legislation that increases the number of MEGA tax credits that can be issued in one year remains in a Senate committee.
 
No Worker Left Behind Program Going Strong Despite Funding Crunch

Michigan’s innovative job training program, No Worker Left Behind, is celebrating its two-year anniversary this month.  More than 88,000 people have taken advantage of the program.
 
Demand for job training has been so great that a few Michigan Works! agencies are getting to the point where all of their current funds are spoken for.
 
Talking points:
 
•  No Worker Left Behind is alive and well.  A record number of people will be put into job training classes this fall.
 
•  Anyone who has actually been signed up for training this semester by their local Michigan Works! agency will be enrolled.  People who are in the process of assessing their strengths and interests, and identifying appropriate training with their local counselors, may need to go on a waiting list before they can start training.
 
•  The funding situation varies among the 25 Michigan Works! agencies.  None has actually spent all available funds.  A few have obligated almost all current funds to put people into training, meaning all of their funds from the current program year and from the federal Recovery Act are tied to particular workers who are in training or about to enter training.  Most Michigan Works! agencies are not in this situation.  The Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth is working to obtain additional targeted funding to assist the areas facing the greatest financial crunch.
 
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