Whitmer celebrates Michigan winning economic development award

On Thursday, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer celebrated the State of Michigan winning a $1 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA). The funds will flow into the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF), where they can be deployed to tackle a wide range of economic challenges faced by communities, from infrastructure, job training, small business support, and more.

“Today’s grant will build on the bipartisan budget I signed and the MI New Economy plan I proposed to put Michiganders first and uplift families, communities, and small businesses,” said Whitmer. “I am laser-focused on tackling the big, structural economic challenges we face and will work with anyone to drive down costs for families, put more people on a path to prosperity, and invest in critical infrastructure. Together, we can usher in a new era of prosperity for our state while continuing to deliver on the kitchen-table fundamental issues.”

– Budget

Last month, the governor signed the Fiscal Year 2022 budget bill that delivers more resources to state police to help them hire more troopers and expand and improve training. The latest budget also invests in 911 system upgrades and delivers on the kitchen-table fundamental issues that make our communities stronger: putting 167,000 Michiganders on a tuition-free path to higher-education or skills training, expanding low or no-cost childcare to 105,000 kids, repairing or replacing 100 bridges while creating 2,500 jobs, and more.

Earlier this year, Whitmer and legislature worked together to put Michigan students first and passed the largest significant education investment in state history, closing the funding gap between schools in Michigan and including a historic amount of resources for schools to hire more nurses, counselors, and social workers. Early investments in mental and social health help reduce crime in the long run.

– MI New Economy

At the Mackinac Policy Conference, the governor laid out her $2.1 billion MI New Economy plan to grow Michigan’s middle class, support small businesses and invest in communities. The plan recognizes a strong economy isn’t only about creating jobs but requires a focus on our state’s people and communities as well. That’s why MI New Economy has three pillars, each of which has specific and ambitious goals that will helpstate officials track progress on efforts to build a stronger and more resilient Michigan.

Pillar 1: Grow the Middle Class—No economic vision for the state can be complete if it doesn’t focus on eliminating poverty and lifting families into the middle class. MI New Economy would expand Michigan Reconnect and Futures for Frontliners to put more people on a tuition-free path to a good-paying, grow the Going Pro credential program to address the skills gap, and strengthen the college to industry pipeline. The goal is to lift 100,000 families out of working poverty and meet Michigan’s Sixty by 30 goal to have 60% of adults earn a postsecondary credential by 2030.

Pillar 2: Support Small Business—To supplement the great economic development work our state already does, Michigan needs a focus on creating and growing more Main Street businesses. MI New Economy would enact the Michigan Mainstreet Initiative to give grants to our smallest businesses and entrepreneurs, invest in start-ups and electric vehicles, and help employers in emerging industries attract and retain talent. The goal is to become a top 10 state for small business job growth, household income growth, and venture capital funding over the next five years.

Pillar 3: Build Strong Communities—Michigan’s residents deserve to live in vibrant communities with the kinds of services and amenities associated with a high standard of living. MI New Economy would build affordable housing units, rehabilitate vacant buildings, redevelop brownfield sites, and dedicate resources to create more energy-efficient homes. The goal is to build 75,000 new or rehabilitated housing units and have 100% access to high-speed internet in the next five years.