Subject: What the governor is talking about today
What the Governor’s Talking about Today
Monday, July 12, 2010
 
Governor Signs Bills Promoting Michigan Agriculture
 
The governor today signed legislation that promotes Michigan agriculture by encouraging the production and sale of certain foods made by Michigan residents in their home kitchens.
 
These foods, called cottage food products, don’t require temperature control for safety and include jams, jellies, granola, dried fruit and herbs, cereal, dry mixes, candy and baked goods.  The production or packaging of cottage food products by someone in their home kitchen is defined by the legislation as a cottage food operation.
 
Regulatory barriers in the state’s food production and distribution laws presently discourage many farmers from organizing cottage food operations.  The legislation signed by the governor today removes these barriers by exempting cottage food operations from the licensing and inspection provisions of the Food Law of 2000 if they have annual gross sales of $15,000 or less.  To ensure food safety, cottage food operations would still be subject to enforcement actions by the Michigan Department of Agriculture.
 
Cottage food products would have to be pre-packaged and properly labeled prior to sale.  Certain information is required to be on the product label, including ingredients, allergen information as required by federal law, and the name and address of the cottage food operation.
 
The legislation also specifies that cottage food products can be sold only directly from the cottage food operation to the consumer.  Internet and mail order sales are prohibited, as are sales by consignment or at wholesale.
 
The bills signed by the governor today are House Bill 5837, sponsored by State Representative Pam Byrnes (D-Chelsea), and House Bill 5280, sponsored by State Representative John Proos (R-St. Joseph).
 
Key message:
 
•  This legislation promotes the production and sale of Michigan-made food products.  It will be a boost to small and medium-sized farms, local farmers markets and entrepreneurs throughout the state.
 
Governor Visits Solidica in Ann Arbor

The governor today visited Solidica, a growing defense contractor and three-time winner of the Technology Tri-Corridor and 21st Century Jobs Fund commercialization and business plan competitions.  She told Solidica’s employees that the company’s success provides a strong demonstration of Michigan’s growing entrepreneurial culture.
 
Solidica is focused on development and commercialization of advanced materials and electronics for truck fleets with military and commercial applications.  The company has leveraged $2.8 million from the 21st Century Jobs Fund and its predecessor, the Technology Tri-Corridor program, into $5 million from the U.S. Department of Defense and $8 million in sales.
 
The company has 23 employees at its Ann Arbor manufacturing operations and was named among the Michigan 50 Companies to Watch in 2007.  More than 60 percent of the company’s employees are alumni of Michigan universities. 
 
The 21st Century Jobs Fund is a $2 billion, 10-year initiative proposed by Governor Granholm, approved by the Michigan Legislature in 2005, and administered by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to accelerate the diversification of Michigan’s economy.  Since 1999, through the 21st Century Jobs Fund and its predecessor programs, the state has invested more than $850 million in technology commercialization and start-ups with projected job creation and retention of more than 26,000 jobs to date.
 
Key message:
 
•  Solidica is a shining example of the kind of entrepreneurial, high-tech company we’re partnering with to diversify and grow Michigan’s economy.  Through the 21st Century Jobs Fund, there is now a portfolio of 106 companies like Solidica growing and creating jobs in the competitive-edge technologies of life sciences, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and homeland security and defense.
 
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