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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