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.
Search is currently unavailable. Please try again later.
The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. Please update to a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox or Edge to experience all features Michigan.gov has to offer.
January 20, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 20, 2022
Contact: Press@michigan.gov
Governor Whitmer Statement on Michigan's Jobs Growth
8th straight month of jobs growth, lower unemployment, billions to invest in the kitchen-table issues
LANSING, Mich.-Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued the following statement after Michigan's economy showed strong job growth and lower unemployment, with 11,000 jobs added last month. Michigan also has billions in federal resources to invest in people and big projects, and thanks to rising state revenues, Michigan will continue delivering on the kitchen-table issues that matter most to families.
"Michigan's economy is strong and getting stronger every day," said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. "In December 2021 alone, we added 11,000 jobs, and since December 2020, we've created 220,000 jobs. We're rounding out eight straight months of job growth, unemployment is decreasing, and we still have billions from the American Rescue Plan and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Plan to invest in our families, communities, and small businesses. I will work with anyone as we continue putting Michiganders first, getting more Michiganders back to work, and growing Michigan's economy."
Economy
Thanks to sound fiscal management, Michigan went from a projected $3 billion deficit in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic to a $7 billion surplus and revenues for forthcoming years that have been revised up by billions of dollars. Michigan continues to lead the nation in automotive manufacturing, creating 16,000 auto jobs and counting. The state has also made historic investments in education, skills training programs, childcare, preschool, public safety, clean water, and roads and bridges.
Economic Development
Last month, Governor Whitmer signed a bipartisan economic development package empowering Michigan to compete for transformational projects that will bring billions in private investment and create tens of thousands of good-paying jobs for Michiganders. The package set up a $1 billion fund and gave the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, or MEDC, a powerful new set of tools to land some of the huge projects in their pipeline. The package also delivers resources directly to new and existing businesses, building on work the state has done since March 2020 to set up 23 economic relief programs and deliver over $240 million to small businesses in all 83 Michigan counties.
###