March 3, 2006

Partnership with Charter One Part of Comprehensive Jobs Plan

LANSING – In her weekly radio address, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today highlighted an innovative partnership between state government and Charter One Bank to provide $200 million in low-interest loans to companies that commit to creating jobs in Michigan.
 
“By working creatively with Charter One, we expect as many as 5,000 new jobs will be created by small and mid-size employers all across Michigan,” Granholm said.

The Charter One Job Creation Loan Program is part of the Governor’s comprehensive jobs plan to grow Michigan’s economy.  Charter One is offering the loans at an interest rate two-and-a-half percent below today’s prime rate to put needed capital in the hands of our businesses.  These businesses will in turn create new jobs for Michigan citizens.

As her administration works to create new jobs in Michigan, Granholm’s jobs plan starts with fighting to keep the jobs already here and to keep manufacturing jobs from being outsourced.  As part of that goal, the Governor continues to press President Bush and his administration at the federal level.

During a trip to Washington last week to meet with governors from around the nation, Granholm’s message was clear: From fair trade policies that will help American firms sell their product overseas, to changes in health care policy that will reduce their costs at home, the Bush administration must take a stand for our businesses and our workers.

“We’re not alone in Michigan,” Granholm said.  “Manufacturing states around the nation are being hurt by the policies of the Bush administration.  Just like we’re getting creative in Michigan, we need to get creative in Washington, too.”

The Governor’s weekly radio address is released each Friday at 10:00 a.m. and may be heard on broadcast stations across that state through an affiliation with the Michigan Association of Broadcasters.  The address will also be available on the Governor’s Website on Mondays as a podcast for general distribution to personal MP3 players and home computers.

Broadcasters Note: Granholm’s radio address can be accessed through Sunday evening exclusively through the Members Only page of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters website. 

Publishers Note: The text of today’s address is attached.