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Radio Address: Granholm Urges Citizens to Buy Michigan Products This Holiday Season

December 14, 2007

Every dollar spent adds value to Michigan's economy

LANSING - In her weekly radio address, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today encouraged citizens to choose Michigan-made products for their holiday gifts and parties.  Granholm said that buying Michigan will not only assist in quality gift-buying, but it is also good for Michigan's economy. 

"Every dollar spent locally impacts three to seven different local businesses before that same dollar leaves the Michigan economy," Granholm said.  "That helps ensure a great holiday season not only for the loved ones in our lives, but also for our favorite local businesses and our neighbors who work there. 

"With all the concerns about safety of toys and other imported products, when you choose Michigan, you can rest assured knowing that you're getting some of the safest, best quality merchandise and foods around," Granholm added.

Granholm said that thanks to the Internet, it's now easier than ever to give Michigan gifts -   cherry pies from up north, cheese from Pinconning, Pewabic pottery from Detroit, and even pasties direct from the U.P can all be purchased and shipped right from the comfort of your own home.

"And when your shopping's over, why not ring in the New Year - responsibly, of course - with a pint of Bell's Best Brown Ale from Kalamazoo, a glass of Mawby sparkling wine from the Leelanau Peninsula, or a glass of good cheer from any of the terrific Michigan wineries and craft breweries that we're blessed to have here in Michigan," the governor added. 

There are a number of resources available to find great Michigan gift ideas, including links on www.buymichiganproducts.comand www.buymichigannow.com.  For more information on Michigan wines, go to www.michiganwines.com. 

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 follows.

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm
Radio Address - Make it a Michigan Holiday!
December 14, 2007

Full:  http://www.michigan.gov/documents/gov/Gov123_Full_218556_7.mp3
Edited:  http://www.michigan.gov/documents/gov/Gov123_Edit_218557_7.mp3
Quote:  http://www.michigan.gov/documents/gov/Gov123_Quote_218558_7.mp3

If you're like me, you're rushing around, trying to get all of your holiday shopping done and searching for the perfect gifts for all the special people in your life.

Well if so, I've got a tip for making those perfect gifts even better.  Make them Michigan products

That's what I'm doing, and let me tell you - there are some great reasons to keep your holiday spending close to home.

First of all, it's good for our economy.  Did you know that every dollar spent locally impacts three to seven different local businesses before that same dollar leaves the Michigan economy?  That helps ensure a great holiday season not only for the loved ones in our lives, but also for our favorite local businesses and our neighbors who work there.

And with all the concerns about safety of toys and other imported products, when you choose Michigan, you can rest assured knowing that you're getting some of the safest, best quality merchandise and foods around.

Not only that: instead of giving the same items from the same stores that they have all over the country, a gift from Michigan is unique.  What a perfect way to give those who aren't fortunate enough to live here in Michigan a little taste of what we're all about.

The great news is that thanks to the Internet, it's now easier than ever to give Michigan gifts.  For example, you can buy and ship cherry pies from up north, cheese from Pinconning, or Pewabic pottery from Detroit.  You can even order pasties direct from the U.P., and you can do it right from the comfort of your home and without having to deal with any of the crowds or traffic.

Here are a couple of Websites where you can find links to great Michigan gift ideas:  buymichiganproducts.com and buymichigannow.com.

And when your shopping's over, why not ring in the New Year - responsibly, of course -  with a pint of Bell's Best Brown Ale from Kalamazoo or a glass of Mawby sparkling wine from the Leelanau Peninsula, or a glass of good cheer from any of the terrific Michigan wineries and craft breweries that we're blessed to have here in Michigan!  You can check out michiganwines.com for more about that.

This is Governor Jennifer Granholm.  No matter how you plan to celebrate the joy of this magical season, I hope this year you'll join me in making it a Michigan holiday. 

Thanks for listening.