January 6, 2004 

LANSING – After getting a tour of the 16th North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) today in Detroit, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm stressed the importance of manufacturing to Michigan’s economy and said she is preparing to take the message to policymakers in Washington, D.C.

“Clearly, the energy and enthusiasm in this convention center and the innovation on display is evidence that Michigan is the dominant force in automotive manufacturing, research, and development and technology,” Granholm said after her tour.  “While we have experienced a loss of manufacturing jobs in Michigan over the past three years, my administration is taking the steering wheel and shifting our efforts into high gear to create and retain jobs – especially manufacturing jobs – in our state.”

Granholm said the NAIAS is Michigan’s calling card to the world that manufacturing innovation and ingenuity make it the best choice to locate a manufacturing facility.  She also re-emphasized her commitment to fight to bring more manufacturing jobs to the state by lobbying Washington for key reforms on a number of issues, including currency manipulation and health care.
 
“Manufacturing matters in Michigan – it is the cornerstone of our economy,” Granholm said. “We are doing everything we can in Michigan to make this state more attractive for job creation.  Working with business and labor, we will continue our efforts to level the playing field for U.S. manufacturers to make it easier to retain and create jobs here.”

In December, Granholm held a manufacturing summit with statewide business and labor leaders to outline issues critical to manufacturing and devise a strategy to address them.  Granholm announced at the summit that she has asked the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth to develop an online service for businesses to obtain all state permits in one place.
 
She has encouraged governors of other manufacturing states to do the same and then join her for a meeting in Washington to deliver the message to the White House and Congress that reforms are needed to keep and create manufacturing jobs in the U.S.  A date for the meeting will be announced later.

Granholm took in exhibits that will open to the public on Saturday.  She spoke with company representatives from auto manufacturers, suppliers, research and development, and technology companies.  She also greeted members of the United Auto Workers at the Ford and General Motors exhibits.