September 28 - October 2, 2020: Manufacturing Week

WHEREAS, Michigan is home to a diverse manufacturing sector that includes transportation, machinery, alternative energy, food and beverage, computer and electrical products, furniture, bioscience, chemical, defense-related manufacturing, and many others; and,

WHEREAS, manufacturing represents the largest sector of the Michigan economy, with about one-fifth of Michigan’s gross state product, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis; and,

WHEREAS, one out of every seven nonfarm jobs in Michigan is in the field of manufacturing, and 626,000 Michiganders are directly employed in the manufacturing industry, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics; and,

WHEREAS, over 11,386 unique manufacturing firms are located in the Great Lakes State, according to the National Association of Manufacturing, and Michigan’s manufacturing total output exceeds $98.64 billion annually; and,

WHEREAS, Michigan has created more than 162,000 new manufacturing jobs in the last 11 years — an increase of 42.8 percent — thus remaining the national leader in manufacturing job creation and outpacing all other states, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics; and,

WHEREAS, the industry should be recognized for its high-tech, high-skilled, and well-paid career options — careers where average annual compensation and benefits are higher than the average across all industries; and,

WHEREAS, during this week, the nation looks to highlight the positive image and abundance of career opportunities in manufacturing; and,

WHEREAS, we should reflect on the road that Michigan has traveled as a manufacturing state and the bright future that lies ahead, while applauding the innovation, determination, and creativity of our state’s manufacturing sector;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim September 28 – October 2, 2020, as Manufacturing Week in Michigan.