MACKINAC ISLAND, Mich. — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was joined by a variety of lawmakers and business and labor leaders to announce Make it in Michigan, a comprehensive economic strategy to keep winning projects, invest in people from pre-K through postsecondary, and revitalize places in every region of the state.
Whitmer touted the state’s recent “strong economic development work” with more than $16 billion of projects and 16,000 jobs secured, and said the state must “keep its foot on the accelerator” to lead the future of advanced manufacturing, improve educational outcomes and workforce development, and improve quality of life in every region.
Additional elements of the plan will be rolled out in the coming weeks.
“Every person, business, and community should be able to ‘make it in Michigan,’” Whitmer said. “To grow our economy and build a brighter future, we must continue competing for projects that bring manufacturing and supply chains home, invest in people so they can pursue their potential, and revitalize places to make them more attractive places to live, work, and invest. This comprehensive strategy will power strong, equitable growth and build on our economic momentum.”
Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks, a Democrat from Grand Rapids, said economic development should “be as positive for the public as it is for business.”
“With the right framework, we believe that these two things can go hand-in-hand,” Brinks said. “After passing several historic pieces of legislation to increase Michiganders’ rights and economic security, the stage has been set and we’re taking this opportunity to infuse more people-first values into our holistic approach to economic development.”
Senator Mallory McMorrow, who chairs the Senate Committee on Economic and Community Development, said the initiative sends the message that everyone is “welcome in Michigan.”
“Right now, while some states are focused on divisive policies that exclude people or restrict their fundamental freedoms and rights, Michigan is sending a bold message to the rest of the country,” McMorrow said. “Now we need an economic development strategy to match the moment and ensure every Michigander, here or soon-to-be here, has an opportunity to thrive.”
Make it in Michigan
The Make It in Michigan strategy aims to:
The strategy aims to:
- Make Michigan a top state for talent with low unemployment, higher labor force participation, more training and upskilling, and stronger talent attraction.
- Make Michigan more competitive in key sectors like research & development, advanced manufacturing, and clean tech.–electric vehicles, batteries, semiconductor chips to ensure long-term economic strength.
- Make Michigan an arsenal of innovation where entrepreneurs and young companies have opportunities and resources to grow and expand
- Make Michigan a state full of attractive, vibrant communities where people want to live, work, and grow with investments to build more housing, expand access and lower the cost of child care, connect homes and businesses to high-speed internet, redevelop vacant or blighted properties, and bring new life to main streets and downtowns.
Whitmer and the state Legislature will partner on and make public several more initiatives to win projects and bring manufacturing and supply chains home, to be announced in the coming weeks.
