April 18, 2008

LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today signed into law a package of bills establishing the Michigan Promotion Program, an aggressive $60 million marketing push to boost the state's tourism and business attraction efforts.  The initiative - passed with overwhelming bipartisan support - is part of an overall job creation and economic stimulus package proposed by the governor in her State of the State address earlier this year.

"We are putting into place the most aggressive marketing of Michigan we have ever seen," Granholm said. "This unprecedented investment will allow us to promote our state in new markets and trumpet to a whole new audience what we already know - that Michigan is a great vacation destination and a great place to do business."       

The bills will transfer $60 million from the state's 21st Century Jobs Trust Fund to the Michigan Strategic Fund, which will oversee the Michigan Promotion Program.  The new program will direct $45 million to the state's Pure Michigan tourism campaign and $15 million to the state's Upper Hand business marketing campaign.

"Michigan has unique advantages few states can match - natural beauty, world-class cities, a competitive business climate and dynamic workforce," Michigan Economic Development Corporation President and CEO James C. Epolito said. "This additional funding will allow us to sell our state to tourist and CEO alike."

Earlier this month, Governor Granholm signed into law two other parts of her economic stimulus plan: legislation that establishes the most aggressive film incentive program in the nation and ‘anchor zone' incentives designed to attract new business investment and jobs in fast-growing high-technology industries like alternative energy, advanced manufacturing and materials, information technology, homeland security and defense, medical devices and life sciences.

The bills signed today were: House Bill 5865 sponsored by State Representative Kate Elbi (D-Monroe); House Bill 5866 sponsored by State Representative Terry Brown (D-Pigeon); House Bill 5867 sponsored by State Representative Kenneth Horn (R-Frankenmuth); Senate Bill 1223 sponsored by State Senator Jason Allen (R-Traverse City); and Senate Bill 1224 sponsored by State Senator Tony Stamas (R-Midland).

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