October 19, 2007
LANSING - In her weekly radio address, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today highlighted a number of recently-announced economic development projects that are expected to create and retain over 3,000 Michigan jobs. Looking forward to the Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Marathon, which will be held this weekend, she underscored that successful economic development requires a long-term strategy that ensures Michigan businesses and people can be competitive now and in the future.
"The 26.2 mile race on Sunday is a reminder that economic development isn't a sprint, it's a marathon, and we need to do everything we can to be competitive," Granholm said. "Other states - including Indiana and Nebraska - competed for these jobs, but Michigan won because we have a lot to offer to growing companies."
The governor's weekly radio address is released each Friday morning and may be heard on broadcast stations across the state. The address is available on the governor's Web site (
www.michigan.gov/gov
) for download, together with a clip of the quote above. The radio address is also available as a podcast on the Web site, as well as on iTunes and via RSS feed for general distribution to personal MP3 players and home computers. Links to the audio files and text of today's address follow.
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm
October 19, 2007
This is Governor Jennifer Granholm.
This weekend, thousands of runners from around the world will be heading to downtown Detroit to compete in the 30th annual Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Marathon. And thousands more people will be on hand to cheer. It's a great celebration of Detroit!
But it's not the only marathon giving Detroit a boost. Earlier this week, the state approved a tax credit to help Marathon Petroleum Company invest $1.5 billion in southwest Detroit, creating 135 new permanent jobs. And we made more great jobs announcements this week as well: Camshaft Machine Company, Chrysler and NEAPCO Driveline Company were also awarded tax credits to help them grow jobs. Together with Marathon and a community redevelopment project in Detroit, these companies can create and retain over 3,000 Michigan jobs!
It's great news, but the 26.2 mile race on Sunday is a reminder that economic development isn't a sprint…it's a marathon. And we need to do everything we can to be competitive. Other states - including Indiana and Nebraska - competed for these jobs, but Michigan won because we have a lot to offer growing companies. And we need to keep working hard and making smart decisions to bring companies to Michigan and to help these companies thrive in our state over the long haul.
Putting Michigan's fiscal house in order with a comprehensive budget agreement was a critical step.
And our Michigan Business Tax, which takes effect in January, is one measure that will pay dividends for years to come. It includes incentives for businesses to create jobs in Michigan. It encourages research and development that can lead to technological advancements that will make Michigan thrive. And it will foster entrepreneurship so that new businesses can get off the ground and create jobs!
As important as a pro-jobs tax structure is, that alone can't create the jobs we need in Michigan. That's why we also need to diversify our economy into cutting edge sectors that will continue to grow. And we need to invest in education and a world class workforce so that Michigan citizens can keep up with demand for high-tech workers.
Our long-term strategy in this marathon race for jobs and economic development is to make sure that Michigan continues to be the epicenter for engineering talent and that we have the best workforce in the world. In fact, our No Worker Left Behind program is training Michigan workers to fill job vacancies that exist right now in areas like nursing, biotech, and even production work in renewable energy facilities.
I'm working every day on the next steps in Michigan's jobs plan so that we continue to be competitive right now while we lay the groundwork for economic growth in the years ahead. I have no doubt that Michigan can win this race for economic development and new jobs.
Thank you for listening.
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