Governor Gretchen Whitmer is a lifelong Michigander. She is a lawyer, an educator, former prosecutor, State Representative and Senator. She was the first woman to lead a Senate caucus. But the most important title she boasts is MOM. Inspired by her family, she’s devoted her life to building a stronger Michigan for everyone.
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June 11, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 10, 2019
Dow hosts Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer at Global Dow Center
MIDLAND, Mich. – June 10, 2019 – Today, Dow welcomed Governor Gretchen Whitmer to its global headquarters in Midland, Mich. where she met with Jim Fitterling, chief executive officer of Dow, to discuss her plans to close Michigan’s growing skills gap and fix the roads. The governor also met with Dow research & development employees to learn more about breakthrough sustainable innovations developed by Dow for the consumer, industrial & infrastructure, and packaging & specialty plastics markets.
“Innovative companies like Dow rely on good, safe roads and access to talent to get ahead,” said Gov. Whitmer. “And right now, Michigan is falling behind in both categories. If we’re going to ensure our businesses can thrive and attract more to our state, we’ve got to get to work closing the skills gap and fixing the damn roads. I’m excited to work with business leaders like Jim and the rest of the Dow team to reach our goals and ensure Michigan can compete with the rest of the country.”
“I am grateful to Governor Whitmer for her commitment to constructive engagement with Dow and Michigan’s business community to help ensure Michigan’s economic competitiveness now and in the future,” said Fitterling. “Dow is committed to working with the governor and the Michigan Legislature to support priorities to repair Michigan’s infrastructure and improve education and skills training to help businesses like ours compete.”
As a manufacturing company whose supply chain depends on sound and reliable infrastructure, including roads and bridges, Dow supports new funding for long term infrastructure solutions. The Company shares the position outlined earlier this year by Business Leaders for Michigan which calls for new revenue to enable significant investment in infrastructure. In addition to supporting new funding, Dow is leveraging its technical expertise to develop solutions to improve infrastructure, such as the use of post-consumer recycled plastics in materials to increase the sustainability and performance of roadways.
Dow’s commitment to workforce development in Michigan is evident through projects such as theDelta College Midland Center announced last year. The center, a product of collaboration between Dow, the University of Michigan and Delta College, will serve as an interdisciplinary innovation and education hub to inspire the workforce of tomorrow and create sustainable pathways that will have a positive impact on the environment and society. Construction on the center began last month following a groundbreaking ceremony in April, and the first classes are scheduled to be offered in the fall of 2020.
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