Oakland County Residents Getting COVID-19 Vaccine At Health Division’s Indoor Clinics May Also Request Flu Shot

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

October 7, 2021

Contact: [email protected]

Governor Whitmer Announces $6.35 Million Investment to Reduce Court Backlog, Celebrates Opening of Michigan State Police Grand Rapids Facility

Investment would tackle court backlog of firearm-related cases, part of larger $75 million MI Safe Communities framework to protect public safety and reduce crime

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Today, at the opening of the Michigan State Police Grand Rapids Facility, Governor Gretchen Whitmer proposed a $6.35 million investment to get illegal guns off the streets and enhance public safety. The proposal is part of the larger $75 million MI Safe Communities framework the governor laid out in July, which would utilize federal funding from the American Rescue Plan to reduce crime and keep people safe by tackling the court backlog, expanding resources available to law enforcement, and uplifting communities by making investments in jobs, justice, and education.

“We have to work together to reduce crime and get illegal guns off the street because every Michigander, no matter where they live or who they are, deserves to live safely,” said Governor Whitmer. “As a former prosecutor, keeping families safe is a top priority. Both the MI Safe Communities framework and the new Michigan State Police Grand Rapids Facility will put Michiganders first by helping law enforcement officers do their jobs more effectively and tackle the court backlog to get illegal guns off our streets. I will work with anyone to bring down crime and help Michiganders feel safe in their community. Together, we can build a safer, more just Michigan where every family can thrive, where every kid can get a great education, and where every person has a path to a good-paying, high-skill job.”

“Local courts have been dramatically impacted by the pandemic and will continue to struggle to clear their backlog without some assistance from the state,” said Attorney General Dana Nessel. “Delayed court dates means delayed justice, and that is unacceptable. I’ve long advocated for targeted investments to strengthen public safety and fully support more money to address the backlog and threat of illegal guns in our communities.”

MSP Grand Rapids Facility

The new Michigan State Police Grand Rapids Facility brings together three MSP facilities—the Grand Rapids Post, the Grand Rapids Forensic Science Laboratory, and the Sixth District Headquarters—under one roof to increase collaboration and drive down costs. The new facility is the result of close collaboration between the MSP and the Department of Technology, Management, and Budget (DTMB).

“A building is a building, and it doesn’t make the department or the service we provide, it’s our members who make those important contributions,” said Colonel Gasper. “But I must say that it’s really something special when the building matches the high caliber of professionalism our members display.”

MI Safe Communities

Earlier this year, Governor Whitmer and legislature worked together to put Michigan students first and passed the largest significant education investment in state history, closing the funding gap between schools in Michigan and including a historic amount of resources for schools to hire more nurses, counselors, and social workers. Early investments in mental and social health help reduce crime in the long run.

• 5,967,776 doses of Pfizer
• 3,900,419 doses of Moderna
• 352,317 doses of Johnson & Johnson

Michiganders ages 12 and older are eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

In addition, CDC recommends the following groups should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least six months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series:

• People 65 years and older and residents aged 18 and older in long-term care settings.

• People aged 50 through 64 with certain underlying medical conditions.

CDC recommends the following groups may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least six months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series based on their individual benefits and risks:

• People aged 18 through 49 who are at high risk for severe COVID-19 due to certain underlying medical conditions.
• People aged 18 through 64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting.

Additionally, Michiganders with moderately to severely compromised immune systems should receive an additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least 28 days after a second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. This additional dose is intended to improve the response of people who are immunocompromised to their initial vaccine series.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                

October 6, 2021

Contact: achtenbergk@michigan.org

Gov. Whitmer Announces 226 New Jobs in Key Industries Around Michigan

“Today’s expansions will help us stay laser-focused on creating good-paying jobs, growing our economy, and continuing to lead in the advanced manufacturing and mobility space,” said Governor Whitmer. “Together, we can usher in a new era of prosperity for our state and continue to make strong economic progress going forward.”

Business expansions creating 226 new jobs Battle Creek, Livonia, Pontiac, underscoring Michigan’s leadership in automotive R&D, advanced manufacturing

Cives Corporation – 91 jobs in Battle Creek

Cives Corporation is a subsidiary of Viking-Cives, a full-line truck equipment company and one of the largest snow and ice control equipment manufacturers in North America.

Viking-Cives plans to construct a new facility in the city of Battle Creek where it will house a manufacturing shop, warehouse and installation bay to support the company’s growth in the Midwest. The project is expected to generate a total private investment of $25 million and create 91 jobs with the support of a $755,300 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen over competing sites in Indiana and Ontario.

The project will bring new well-paying manufacturing jobs to the community with positions including mechanical engineers, material handlers, machine operators, layout fitters, welders, painters, office positions, and more. The company believes strongly in promoting from within and offers its employees benefits, numerous training programs, and ESOP ownership opportunities in the company.

The city of Battle Creek has offered a 50-percent tax abatement in support of the project. For career information with Viking-Cives, visit https://www.vikingcives.com/Application.aspx

“As a snowplow manufacturer, Viking-Cives will be a great compliment to Battle Creek’s existing manufacturing base. This is an innovative company with a great track record. And as an employee-owned company, they will offer excellent opportunities for our local workforce,” said Battle Creek Unlimited President and CEO Joe Sobieralski. “We are proud that they have selected Battle Creek as the site of the newest production facility.”

International Extrusions, Inc. – 63 jobs in Livonia

International Extrusions, Inc., headquartered in Garden City, is a leading aluminum extrusion manufacturer in the United States, operating in Southeast Michigan since 1937.

International Extrusions has acquired new equipment and plans to double the capacity of its extrusion facility in the city of Livonia, where it began operations at its new facility less than two years ago.  International Extrusions will add a new aluminum extrusion press and fabrication machinery that will be a part of a state-of-the-art fully integrated manufacturing and packaging operation. This line will add capacity for an additional 25 million pounds of extrusions annually.

The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $12.5 million and create up to 63 jobs, resulting in a $189,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen for the project over competing sites in Maryland and the Carolinas.

This project has an aggressive timeline. International Extrusions is working with its Michigan-based contractors to have the 50,000-square-foot Livonia addition built by early January. The company plans on being in full operation by early April of 2022.

To see a video of the extrusion line in action, visit https://youtu.be/c1CJit4S4a0. The aluminum extruded on this press will help fill the first in the United States cube technology powder coat facility by S.A.T., which is currently being installed at the company’s Garden City facility and going live next month.

International Extrusions supports personal professional growth of its employees including 50-percent tuition reimbursement for trades, computer and college education. The company promotes from within for all levels of positions and provides health benefits to its employees. The project will help continue to grow Michigan’s manufacturing sector and will provide job opportunities at various skill levels and education, helping to reduce barriers to job access within disadvantaged and limited-skilled populations. Individuals interested in a career with International Extrusions should visit https://www.extrusion.net/contact.

The city of Livonia is considering a property tax abatement in support of the project, and the Michigan Strategic Fund also approved a State Education Tax abatement to be used in conjunction with the local abatement.

“The City of Livonia was selected as the site for International Extrusions newest operational expansion. The $12.5 million expansion will add a second state of the art press machine for fully integrated manufacturing and packaging of aluminum fabrications within our City,” said Livonia Planning and Economic Development Coordinator Jacob Uhazie. “We are excited to see their continued investment in our community and workforce.”

LHP Engineering Solutions, LLC – 100 jobs in Pontiac

LHP Engineering Solutions, LLC provides engineering and technology solutions for the automotive, aerospace, medical and other related industries. The company has recently restructured with the goal of growing technology solutions around autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, connected vehicles and related technologies. The company currently has 53 employees at its office in Pontiac.

To accommodate its new growth, LHP plans to repurpose its existing engineering center in Pontiac into an electric vehicle, autonomous and advanced driver assistance system test lab that will include the development of advanced engineering training, autonomous vehicle training, and EV controls engineering training. The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $3.8 million and create 100 high-wage jobs with the support of a $500,000 Jobs Ready Michigan performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen for the project over competing sites in California and Indiana.

The project will continue to grow Michigan’s mobility and electric vehicle sectors and will further underscore the state’s leadership position in mobility and automotive R&D. Bringing the project to the state of Michigan grows and solidifies the company’s presence in Pontiac and supports the potential for future growth and investment. The company plans to provide training to upskill newly graduated engineering students from universities in the area and also provides wraparound services for its employees including childcare assistance, transportation services, mentoring, and partnership with universities.

“On behalf of Mayor Deirdre Waterman and the city of Pontiac, we are excited to extend congratulations to LHP Engineering Solutions, Inc. on their expansion and welcome them to Pontiac,” said Pontiac Economic and Community Development Director Linnette Phillips. “We are pleased that their expansion includes 100 new jobs and $3.8 million in capital investment. Also, we especially acknowledge the MEDC for more than $1 million in incentives to further support this initiative.”

Individuals interested in careers with LHP should visit https://www.lhpes.com/careers.

“Today’s projects send a clear message that Michigan is a place where businesses, communities, and people can take risks, succeed, and grow,” said Quentin L. Messer, Jr., CEO of MEDC and President and Chair of the MSF Board. “These projects reflect our commitment to taking a holistic, people-first approach to economic development while securing Michigan’s leadership in the industries that will drive our economy into the future.”

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.