Subject: What the governor's talking about today
What the Governor’s Talking about Today
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Michigan #1 in Nation for Digital Government

The governor today announced that Michigan is a national leader in using information technology to transform and improve government.
 
Michigan and Utah were the only two states to receive “A” grades in the 2010 Digital States Survey conducted by the Center for Digital Government in conjunction with Government Technology magazine.  The survey, conducted every two years, is the nation’s most recognized and respected study of information technology in all 50 states.
 
Key messages:
 
•  Throughout the governor’s terms in office, Michigan has been a national leader in using information technology to improve services for citizens, placing first in the nation in 2004 and 2006 and second in the nation in 2008.
•  We’ve used technology to both streamline government and improve the way government services are delivered to Michigan citizens.  We’ve improved online services for citizens seeking assistance with Medicaid and unemployment benefits, cut information technology costs by consolidating essential functions, and engaged citizens with state government through social networks like Twitter and Facebook.
•  The 2010 Digital States Survey results can be found at: http://www.govtech.com/enterprise-technology/50-State-Report.html.  Follow Governor Granholm on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/govgranholm and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/jennifergranholm.
 
Dow-Tata Alliance Will Create Up to 500 New Jobs, Governor Says

The governor today joined company and local officials in Midland to celebrate an alliance between Dow Chemical Company and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) that will create up to 500 new jobs at Dow’s new Business Process Services Center which is under construction.  TCS, a subsidiary of India’s largest conglomerate, will operate out of the service center and provide finance consulting, order processing and other IT services.
 
TCS plans to invest $12.5 million in its Midland operations, and the project is expected to create 500 jobs during its initial phase.  State incentives offered through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) helped TCS choose to stay in Michigan over a competing site in Ohio.
 
Key messages:
 
•  Dow’s decision to further invest in Midland demonstrates the state’s ability to partner with world-class corporations and help them expand.  By forming a global alliance with Tata Consultancy Services, Dow has built an excellent platform for future growth.
•  Today’s event is a terrific reminder that Michigan’s aggressive economic strategy — our go anywhere, do anything approach to diversifying our state’s economy — can bring significant new investment that results in good-paying jobs for Michigan workers.
•  In recent years, the state of Michigan, through the MEDC, has partnered with the Dow Chemical Company and a number of its affiliates to create and retain thousands of new jobs in the Midland area.  Michigan Economic Growth Authority incentives were approved in February 2010 to support a total investment of $1 billion in wind, solar and advanced battery manufacturing facilities.  In total, these expansions are expected to create more than 6,900 new jobs.
 
Governor Says Family Resource Centers Critical to Helping Children, Families Succeed

The governor and Michigan Department of Human Services (DHS) Director Ismael Ahmed today visited a newly opened Family Resource Center inside Flint’s McKinley Foundation Academy made possible by a grant from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.
 
Family Resource Centers, a Granholm initiative, began with 20 sites in 2003.  The centers, located within or near select elementary and middle schools based on need, coordinate services according to goals developed and shared by students’ families, the school, and local community and government agencies.  There are currently 49 Family Resource Centers operating statewide.
 
Key messages:
 
•  Family Resource Centers help children and families succeed by offering human services in a safe, non-threatening school environment.  Each center uses community resources to support school-age children and their families in and out of the classroom, allowing educators to focus on preparing tomorrow’s leaders.
•  The launch of McKinley’s Family Resource Center is part of the DHS “Helping Families 101: Get Ready 2 Learn” statewide campaign that focuses on the combined efforts of the department and its partners to meet families’ ongoing needs so children can focus on learning.  For more information about the “Helping Families 101: Get Ready 2 Learn” campaign, visit www.michigan.gov/helpingfamilies101.
 
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