FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 20, 2022

Contact: [email protected]

Believe in Michigan: Focus on Infrastructure

Michiganders celebrate why they believe in Michigan through video series leading up to Governor Whitmer’s State of the State address

LANSING, Mich. – Leading up to the Governor’s State of the State address, Gov. Whitmer’s team set out to hear from Michiganders across the state on why they believe in Michigan. We’ll share their thoughts each day leading up to the address in a video series.

“Continuing Michigan’s partnership around critical infrastructure projects like the Gordie Howe International Bridge, a key trade corridor between Michigan and Canada that has already supported 2,500 good-paying jobs for Michiganders, is key to our state’s economic success,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “I am proud of the work being done by Nickolai and all of the men and women in the trades who are working hard to build safe, reliable roads and bridges with the right mix and materials. Since I took office, Michigan has invested $6.4 billion to repair, rehabilitate, or replace 13,198 lane miles of road and 903 bridges, supporting nearly 82,000 jobs, and we will keep going together.”

Meet Nickolai Miotto, Operating Engineer with Local 324, working on the Gordie Howe Bridge and I-75 interchange for Bridging North America.

“We have an infrastructure bill that’s going to provide funding for roads, bridges, airports, and clean energy,” said Nickolai Miotto, Operating Engineer with Local 324, working on the Gordie Howe Bridge and I-75 interchange for Bridging North America.  “My brothers and sisters in the trades will have prominent work in the near future and beyond.

When asked why he believes in Michigan, Miottoa added, “We have the great lakes, freighters, the biggest trucks in the county. And we do everything great in MI, we’re the state who put the world on wheels.  I’m standing here on the biggest infrastructure project in North America and Michiganders are going to build it. I love Michigan. That’s all there is to it.”

Governor Whitmer’s Focus on Infrastructure

Governor Whitmer is rebuilding Michigan’s roads and bridges and creating tens of thousands of good-paying construction jobs. She launched the Rebuilding Michigan Plan, a five-year, $3.5 billion investment in our highways and bridges without an increase at the pump. Over 20 projects supporting 22,800 good-paying construction jobs are already underway. She secured funding to repair or replace nearly 100 local bridges in the latest bipartisan budget.

The cones and barrels at hundreds of sites statewide demonstrate that Governor Whitmer is fixing our crumbling roads and bridges so that people can go to work and get home safely, parents can drive their kids to school without blowing an axle, and businesses can get their goods where they need to go.

• Governor Whitmer has invested nearly $6.4 billion to repair, replace, or rehabilitate 13,198 lane miles of road and 903 bridges.
• In this year’s bipartisan budget, she invested $196 million to repair or replace nearly 100 local bridges in serious or critical condition, creating 2,500 jobs.
• Governor Whitmer’s five-year, $3.5 billion Rebuilding Michigan bond plan to build up state highways and bridges without an increase at the pump is underway is underway, with construction underway on I-496, I-94, and other projects. These projects are supporting approximately 22,800 construction jobs and an additional 21,700 jobs in other industries.

Additional highlights of Whitmer’s efforts to improve infrastructure can be found online.

Visit the 2022 State of the State page for videos and more.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

January 19, 2022

Contact: [email protected]

Governor Whitmer Statement on $479 Million Investment to Fully Fund Soo Locks

Investment made possible by Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, could speed up project timeline by two years

LANSING, Mich.—Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued the following statement after the US Army Corps of Engineers announced that they will invest $479 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to fully fund the Soo Locks in the UP.

“I applaud the US Army Corps of Engineers for making a $479 million investment in the Soo Locks to finish the project, protecting tens of thousands of jobs and uplifting our economy. The locks are critical to facilitating trade and economic cooperation between our two peninsulas and Great Lakes neighbors. Our federal partners are also bolstering critical Michigan harbors, further shoring up our waterways and enabling businesses to trade goods and supplies more easily. I am grateful to our congressional delegation for fighting for this investment. Together, we will continue finding ways to grow Michigan’s economy, create and protect good-paying jobs, and invest in every region of our great state.”

The Soo Locks are a crucial gateway for Great Lakes freighters carrying agricultural products and materials our manufacturers and military depend on. The new lock will mean there is a modern lock to handle larger vessels and will prevent failure of the locks, which would have devastating consequences for the economy and national security. Senators Stabenow and Peters have led the effort for years to secure enough funding to complete this new lock—$1.3 billion in total. To learn more about the progress on the Soo Locks modernization project, click here.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 19, 2022

Contact: [email protected]

Believe in Michigan: Supporting Small Businesses

Michiganders celebrate why they believe in Michigan through video series leading up to Governor Whitmer’s State of the State address

LANSING, Mich. – Leading up to the Governor’s State of the State address, Gov. Whitmer’s team set out to hear from Michiganders across the state on why they believe in Michigan. We’ll share their thoughts each day leading up to the address in a video series.

“Small businesses form the backbone of our economy and are cornerstones of so many communities across our state,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “As we usher in a new era of prosperity for Michigan, I am committed to ensuring small businesses can thrive. Countless small business owners like Ali work hard every day to invest in their communities and create good-paying jobs. Together, we will help our innovative, entrepreneurial small business owners thrive and continue growing Michigan’s economy.”

 Meet Ali Rose VanOverbeke, owner of Genussee, a small business making eyewear in Flint, Michigan from recycled plastic water bottles as a result of the Flint Water Crisis.

“I want my state government to focus on supporting more small businesses, providing more aid, more guidance, more relief,” said Ali Rose VanOverbeke, owner of Genussee. “Because we’re still in a pandemic, it’s still hard for so many of us and we need more support so we can support and take even better care of our employees.”

When asked why she believes in Michigan, VanOverbeke said, “I’m most excited about a future that’s inclusive and creates more access for individuals to become entrepreneurs. I most believe in the state of Michigan simply because of the people. The community here is hardworking and knows how to persevere regardless of our circumstances.”

Governor Whitmer’s Focus on Small Businesses

Through COVID, the state implemented 23 economic relief programs for businesses, supporting more than 25,000 companies and retaining more than 200,000 jobs. Now, Governor Whitmer is dedicated to helping small businesses navigate existing programs and services available to help them recover and thrive for years to come.

Recently, the governor laid out a $2.1 billion proposal to grow Michigan’s middle class, support small businesses, and invest in communities by tackling several underlying issues. As Michigan’s economic jumpstart continues, bolstered by a strong GDP, and a historic surplus, Governor Whitmer’s proposals will tackle underlying issues faced by small businesses and take advantage of the massive influx of federal resources Michigan has received to deliver meaningful change that makes a real difference for small businesses and Michigan workers.

Additional signature accomplishments under Whitmer’s administration include:

• Ushered in 7.6% GDP growth, the best in the Midwest in Q1 of 2021 and 8.3% GDP growth, best in the Midwest again and third-best nationwide in Q2.
• Took Michigan from a projected $3 billion deficit to a $3.5 billion surplus.
• Launched 23 economic relief programs providing over $240 million in vital economic support to small businesses across all 83 Michigan counties. The programs supported over 25,000 companies and retained over 200,000 jobs with nearly 75% of support going to restaurants, bars, retailers and other service industry small businesses.
• Saved 52,500 jobs by providing grants to 6,000 small businesses.
• Provided $100 million through the Small Business Restart Program to help restaurants and other place-based businesses cover costs by providing grants up to $20,000 for mortgage, rent, taxes, payroll and other operating expenses.
• Set up free virtual job fairs connecting over 2,600 employers and 9,900 job seekers.

 Additional highlights of Whitmer’s efforts to support small businesses can be found online.

Visit the 2022 State of the State page for videos and more.