June 2021 - Page 14 of 25

Michigan as Top State for New Manufacturing Jobs

by Becky Andrus | Jun 14, 2021 | Uncategorized

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 11, 2021

Governor Whitmer Announces Award Recognizing Michigan as Top State for New Manufacturing Jobs and Investment

Michigan receives 2021 Manufacturing Gold Shovel Award on strength of 2,619 new jobs and $441.8 million in private investment

LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer today announced Michigan has been awarded an Area Development 2021 Manufacturing Gold Shovel award, affirming the momentum and strength of job creation around new and expanded manufacturing facilities in the state.

“As we put Michigan back to work, this Manufacturing Golden Shovel Award is a recognition of our ongoing efforts to make generational investments in Michigan’s manufacturing might as part of our state’s economic jumpstart,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “As we emerge from the pandemic together, we will stay laser-focused on creating good-paying, high-skill jobs here in Michigan and investing in working families and small businesses.”

Area Development’s Annual Gold & Silver Shovel Awards recognize state economic development agencies that drive significant job creation through innovative policies, infrastructure improvements, processes, and promotions that attract new employers and investments in new and expanded facilities. The awards are presented annually to states that have achieved significant success in terms of job creation and economic impact.

In announcing the award, Area Development noted, “another Manufacturing Gold Shovel winner was Michigan, with a host of headlines related to its automotive sector, including opportunities linked to the growth of interest in electric vehicles.”

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation submitted the top-10 job creation and investment projects initiated in 2020 for consideration in the 8-12 million population category – including Bridgewater Interiors (Detroit/Delta Township), Dakota Integrated Systems and Detroit Manufacturing Systems (Detroit), Magna International (Highland Park) and The Paslin Company (Warren). Combined, the 10 projects accounted for 2,619 new good paying jobs for Michiganders and $441.8 million in private investment, further cementing the state as a national leader in manufacturing and automotive R&D. The list also includes two major headquarter announcements– Perrigo Co. (Grand Rapids) and Wacker Chemical Corp. (Pittsfield Charter Township) – highlighting the state’s growing opportunities in professional and corporate services.

The strength of these projects earned Michigan the 2021 Manufacturing Golden Shovel in its category.

“In a year marked by disruption and uncertainty – with small business relief a top priority – we continued to stay focused on job creation and economic growth as well and we are proud these efforts have been recognized with Area Development’s Manufacturing Golden Shovel Award,” said Josh Hundt, Chief Business Development Officer and Executive Vice President at the MEDC. “Michigan has positioned itself to be the state where manufacturing and technology converge and where businesses can find the skilled workforce that will ensure we can not only compete, but win, in today’s global economy.”

Read more about Michigan’s Manufacturing Golden Shovel Award here.

Earlier this week, Governor Whitmer attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for XL Fleet’s new Fleet Electrification Technology Center in Wixom, which will create nearly 50 jobs and further fuel the state’s leadership in mobility and electrification solutions. Combined with today’s Golden Shovel announcement centered largely around automotive manufacturing projects Michigan’s economic recovery is well underway.

As part of the state’s efforts to continue to attract and grow new businesses investment in the state, Governor Whitmer, the MEDC and the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification also participated this week in a number of virtual events for the 8th annual SelectUSA Investment Summit. The summit is the highest profile event promoting foreign direct investment (FDI) in the United States and this year welcomed 3,000 participants, including business investors from more than 60 markets.

Governor Whitmer was joined by Steve Milam, North America Corporate Senior Director of DENSO International America, Inc., for a fireside chat to discuss the competitive advantages Michigan offers global businesses. She also participated in a governor’s roundtable moderated by U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo focused on FDI and identifying specific actions the Department of Commerce and the Biden Administration can take to support efforts of economic development organizations around the country to bring more foreign investment to states like Michigan.

Michigan is ranked 6th in the nation for total jobs created by foreign direct investment and was ranked the top state for FDI job growth by over the past five years by Global Business Alliance. Detroit was also ranked the no. 1 metropolitan area for FDI projects by Site Selection Magazine this year.

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

FISH Newsletter: FISHline for Summer 2021

by Becky Andrus | Jun 14, 2021 | Local News, Nonprofit

FISHline for Summer 2021

Click link below to view newsletter:

FISHline for Summer 2021

food assistance will receive additional payment in June

by Becky Andrus | Jun 14, 2021 | Health and Wellness

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 11, 2021

CONTACT: Bob Wheaton, 517-241-2112, wheatonb@michigan.gov

All Michigan households eligible for food assistance
will receive additional payment in June

LANSING, Mich. – All Michigan families who are eligible for food assistance benefits will receive an additional payment in June in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced.

Close to 700,000 Michigan households will benefit under approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service

June is the second month that all Michigan households will receive the additional benefits. Previously – beginning in April 2020 – families already receiving the maximum monthly amount of assistance were not eligible for additional COVID-19 emergency benefits, while others received an increase that brought them to the maximum monthly allotment.

Now all households will receive an increase of at least $95 monthly, even if they are already receiving the maximum payment or are close to that amount. Households that received over $95 to bring them to the maximum payment for their group size will continue to receive that larger amount.

Eligible clients will see additional food assistance benefits on their Bridge Card from June 12-22. Additional benefits will be loaded onto Bridge Cards as a separate payment from the assistance that is provided earlier in the month.

“As we continue to return to normal, it’s important to note that there are still many people who are struggling due to the global pandemic,” said MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel. “MDHHS believes it is critically important to help people feed their families.”

More than 1.2 million people in Michigan receive federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits through the state’s Food Assistance Program.

Below are the maximum allowable benefits for SNAP customers based on their respective household size:

One Person: $234
Two Persons: $430
Three Persons: $616
Four Persons: $782
Five Persons: $929
Six Persons: $1,114
Seven Persons: $1,232
Eight Persons: $1,408

The federal government is providing additional funding to states for food assistance under House Resolution 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

Eligible families do not need to re-apply to receive the additional benefits. People who receive food assistance can check their benefits balance on their Michigan Bridge Card by going online to www.michigan.gov/MIBridges or calling a consumer service representative toll-free at 888-678-8914. They can ask questions about the additional benefits by calling or emailing their caseworker.

Customer service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Spanish and Arabic service is available. If you are deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing or speech-impaired, call the Michigan Relay Center at 7-1-1.

Information around the COVID-19 outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

Michigan has Reached a First Dose Rate of 60%

by Becky Andrus | Jun 14, 2021 | Regional News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 11, 2021

Media Contact: [email protected]

Governor Whitmer & Lt. Governor Gilchrist Announce Michigan has Reached a First Dose Vaccination Rate of 60%

Michigan has administered more shots per 100k than Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina and Georgia

LANSING, Mich. — Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist today issued the following statements as Michigan reaches 60% of the population age 16 and older receiving at least a first dose of a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine.

“Thanks to every Michigander who stepped up to keep themselves, their family, and their community safe,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “We can all feel a sense of optimism thanks to the tireless efforts of countless frontline workers who put their own safety on the line to keep the rest of us going. And we are tremendously grateful to the medical community who kept us all safe and created the safe, effective vaccines, all miracles of modern science. As we cross the 60% milestone in vaccinations, we are seeing cases, deaths, and hospitalizations continue to fall fast, which has helped to poise our economy for a strong recovery. I know that we can give Michigan the economic jumpstart it needs with the billions in available federal funds and our multi-billion dollar budget surplus. We will emerge from this once-in-a-century pandemic stronger than ever, and I am confident that we can make lasting, transformative investments in our schools, small businesses, and communities to help them thrive.”

“I am pleased to see that so many Michiganders are continuing to make the choice to get vaccinated. Thank you to every person who has had a conversation with someone in their life to encourage them to get vaccinated, and the professionals and volunteers who have made vaccines available everywhere in our state,” said Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “These safe, effective vaccines are our best shot to end this pandemic on our own terms. As more Michiganders make that choice, we come closer and closer to confidently growing our economy across the board, and setting our path toward a stronger Michigan. As we reach these vaccine milestones, we’re able to hug our families, return to offices, enjoy a dinner out at our favorite restaurant, and safely spend time with friends.”