DECEMBER 8, 2003- Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and Director David C. Hollister announced today that the new Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG) is now officially open for business.

“I created DLEG to promote job creation and economic growth in Michigan by centralizing and streamlining the state’s job, workforce, and economic development functions under one department. The new department will be a one-stop shop for business creation and development,” Granholm said. “We all know Michigan is the best place to raise a family and locate a business - but we want the rest of the nation to experience ‘mitten envy.’"

Executive Order 2003-18 renamed the Department of Consumer and Industry Services as DLEG and transferred programs of the Department of Career Development aimed at matching employers and workers to DLEG to help create one of best trained workforces in the nation. Key programs from other departments focusing on economic development issues were also transferred to DLEG, including:

• Commission for the Blind
• Commission on Disability Concerns
• Advisory Council on Deaf and Hard of Hearing
• Fire-related programs and State Fire Marshal
• Michigan Broadband Development Authority 
• Michigan Extension Telecommunications Rights-of-Way Oversight (METRO) Authority
• Michigan Next Energy Authority
• Michigan Strategic Fund

The new DLEG Web site unveiled today is www.michigan.gov/dleg. The new DLEG logo was designed by Gina DiNatale Coon, senior designer for the former Michigan Department of Career Development, now part of DLEG. Her design was the winning logo out of four finalists designed and voted on in a logo contest by DLEG employees. 

“Today is an exciting day not only for our 4,500 employees, but also for the citizens and businesses of Michigan as well,” Hollister said.  “Governor Granholm's goal has been to make Michigan number one, the magnet state, with the top economic development, job creation, innovation, entrepreneurship and urban revitalization programs. I am excited that this new department and its close working relationship with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation as part of DLEG puts us one step closer to making this objective a reality.”

Former CIS programs in the new department include:

·         Most regulatory functions that relate specifically to commercial, business, and workers’ issues will be in DLEG, such as the Bureau of Commercial Services, the Michigan Public Service Commission, Michigan State Housing Development Authority, Office of Financial & Insurance Services, the Bureau of Construction Codes/Fire Safety, the Bureau of Safety & Regulation (which has been renamed effective today as MIOSHA, the Michigan Occupational Safety & Health Administration), the Michigan Employment Relations Commission, the Michigan Tax Tribunal, and the Liquor Control Commission.

·         A new Worker’s Compensation Appellate Commission is created.

·         The Bureau of Worker’s & Unemployment Compensation will be divided into three agencies within the DLEG: Unemployment Insurance Agency; Workers’ Compensation Agency; and the Wage and Hour Division.

Functions of the former DCD now in DLEG include:

• Office of Workforce Development
• Employment Service Agency
• Office of Career and Technical Preparation
• Office of Adult Education and Spanish-Speaking Affairs
• Michigan Rehabilitation Services
• Office of Postsecondary Services

CIS bureaus whose core missions are more closely in line with other state departments were transferred out of DLEG, including:

• Bureau of Family Services, which regulates adult foster care, homes for the aged, child care homes/centers, child caring institutions, child placing agencies, adult/children camps, and court-operated facilities. It will be renamed "Office of Children and Adult Licensing" and transfers to the Family Independence Agency (http://www.michigan.gov/fia).

• Bureau of Health Services, which regulates health professionals, transfers to Department of Community Health (www.michigan.gov/mdch).

• Bureau of Health Systems, which regulates health facilities, emergency medical services and nursing homes; Controlled Substances Advisory Commission; and Advisory Committee on Pain and Symptom Management; transfers to Department of Community Health (www.michigan.gov/mdch).

Read more Michigan Department Labor & Economic Growth news releases.

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