March 10, 2006

Governor Says Initiative Will Create Over 7,000 Jobs

LANSING – In her weekly radio address, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today highlighted a new initiative that would use state dollars to help cities, counties, and local transit agencies across Michigan improve local roads and create thousands of jobs across the state.
 
“My administration is all about building a stronger state and a stronger economy at the same time,” Granholm said.  “Our effort to improve roads is part of my overall plan to grow Michigan’s economy, and it’s a part you’ll see in action this spring.”
 
The Local Jobs Today plan will use state transportation funds to help bring an additional $320 million in federal transportation dollars to Michigan cities, counties, and local transit agencies.  The additional funding will dramatically increase the number of local road improvements across the state this construction season. 
 
By putting transportation funding to work, the Governor and local governments will also be putting Michigan citizens to work.  In 2006 and 2007 the Local Jobs Today program will create more than 7,000 jobs across the state.  These important construction jobs will make our roads and bridges safer and our communities stronger.
 
The program is an addition to Granholm’s Jobs Today Initiative, which is already at work accelerating $3 billion in critical infrastructure projects across Michigan.
 
Granholm urged legislators to quickly pass the bill necessary to allow the state to provide the funding and get shovels in the ground this spring.
 
“I look forward to working with Michigan’s lawmakers to put these critical transportation dollars into the hands of local governments as soon as possible so we can all get to work improving Michigan’s roads this year,” Granholm said.
 
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 (MAB).  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 MAB website. 

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