FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 4, 2022

Contact: [email protected]

Governor Whitmer Makes Appointments to the Bench

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the appointments of Amy C. Clapp to the 49th Circuit Court of Mecosta and Osceola Counties and Amanda L. Eicher to the 1st District Court of Monroe County.

“I am proud to appoint Amy and Amanda, two skilled legal professionals with a range of experience, to the bench,” said Governor Whitmer. “They will both serve the people of Michigan honorably and uphold the law, ensuring that our families and communities are safe and justice is delivered.”

49th Circuit Court – Mecosta and Osceola Counties

Amy C. Clapp is the current prosecutor for Mecosta County. She was appointed to this position in 2021 after serving as the chief assistant prosecutor since 2015. Prior to her current role, Clapp was an attorney with Heidi L. Wolf, PC where she represented clients charged with criminal misdemeanors and felonies and in estate planning, divorce and child custody, and civil litigation. She has also served as assistant prosecutor for Allegan and Mecosta Counties and as an adjunct professor for Aquinas College where she taught Constitutional Law.

Clapp earned her Juris Doctor degree from Michigan State University Law School and Bachelor of Science degree from Aquinas College. She has served as a member of the Allegan County Coordinating Council on Domestic Violence, Allegan County Mental Health Treatment Court, Mecosta County Domestic Violence Task Force, and Mecosta County Multi-Disciplinary Team for Child Abuse and Neglect. Amy lives in Stanwood with her husband, Andrew.

“I am so grateful to Governor Whitmer for this appointment to the 49th Circuit Court,” said Clapp. “I have dedicated my career to public service, and I’m honored to have the opportunity to continue that service for the citizens of Mecosta and Osceola Counties. As Judge, I hope to increase accessibility and transparency of the court, promote civility and respect, and apply the law fairly and justly. I’m humbled by this opportunity and excited beyond measure.”

This appointment was made to fill a partial term, which will commence on August 22, 2022 and expire at twelve o’clock noon on January 1, 2025, following the retirement of Judge Scott Hill-Kennedy effective June 10, 2022. If Ms. Clapp wishes to seek a full six-year term, she would be required to run for reelection in November of 2024.

1st District Court – Monroe County

Amanda L. Eicher currently serves as the supervising attorney for Legal Services of South Central Michigan a division of the Michigan Advocacy Program (MAP). In her role, Eicher provides free civil legal advice and representation to low-income citizens and senior citizens of Monroe and Lenawee Counties. She has handled cases involving domestic violence, family law, personal protection orders, landlord tenant cases, probate issues, and expungements. Before joining the MAP, she was an attorney with Lambrix & Bartlett, PLLC and Leonard K. Kitchen & Associates. Eicher also served as a judicial clerk with the Monroe County Probate Court following her graduation from law school.

Eicher earned her Juris Doctor degree from Michigan State University College of Law and her Bachelor of Arts degree from Pennsylvania State University. Eicher is a member of the Lenawee County Domestic Violence Task Force, Lenawee County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, and Lenawee County Sexual Assault Task Force. Amanda is a long-time resident of Monroe County and lives in Milan with her family.

“I am humbled and honored by Governor Whitmer’s confidence in me,” said Eicher. “I have been fortunate to serve the people of Monroe County throughout my career and it will be a privilege to continue to do so in the capacity of district court judge. I look forward to this opportunity and will ensure that all parties are treated with dignity and respect.”

This appointment was made to fill a partial term, which will commence on September 6, 2022 and expire at twelve o’clock noon on January 1, 2025, following the appointment of Judge William Nichols to the 38th Circuit Court effective April 18, 2022. If Ms. Eicher wishes to seek a full six-year term, she would be required to run for reelection in November of 2024.

Judicial appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

Amy C. Clapp headshot

Amanda L. Eicher headshot  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 4, 2022

Contact: [email protected]

ICYMI: Michigan #1 State for Energy-Sector Job Growth

State added 35,463 energy jobs—more than any other state—from 2020 to 2021

LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced Michigan has been ranked #1 in the nation for energy job growth according to the U.S. Energy and Employment Jobs Report (USEER). The state added 35,463 energy sector jobs from 2020 to 2021, more than any other state in the nation. Michigan’s job growth boosted total energy jobs in the state by almost 10%. Michigan’s 393,207 energy workers represent 5% of all U.S. energy jobs and 9.5% of state jobs.

“Michigan’s economy is on the move. Unemployment is low, small business growth is booming, and we had strong job growth last year. This report shows that Michigan is number one in the nation, adding over 35,000 good-paying energy jobs,” said Governor Whitmer. “When we invest in the future of mobility and clean energy and face climate change head-on, we can create tens of thousands of jobs, build prosperity in every region of our state, and ensure that we remain competitive for future business investment and economic development. I will work with anyone to keep growing Michigan’s economy and energy sector.”

“This report confirms what we already know – Michigan continues to be the number one state to live, work and play,” said Susan Corbin, Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity director. “We are committed to making sure everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed in these in-demand, rewarding careers in the energy sector and beyond – building a talent pool that’s second to none and driving the talent to meet employer needs.”

“This report shows that Michigan has a competitive edge in advanced energy and a vibrant industry that continues to create well-paying jobs,” said Dr. Laura Sherman, President of the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council. “We must continue to establish supportive policies, set ambitious goals, and invest in training and infrastructure to ensure that the advanced energy industry continues to grow and thrive in our state.”

“These numbers demonstrate that the transition to EVs continues to spur job growth in multiple sectors of the economy,” said Glenn Stevens, Executive Director of MichAuto. “The big investments made by Michigan’s automobility industry in electrification are now yielding tangible results. Michigan must continue this momentum by solidifying industry and government partnerships to bring more mobility investment, innovation, and jobs to our state.”

Background on U.S. Energy and Employment Jobs Report

The report combines employer surveys with public data to track energy job growth in key areas, including electric power generation and transmission, fuels, energy efficiency, and motor vehicles. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the energy sector was a fast-growing part of the economy, with employment growth rates at 3% — double that of the economy as a whole. While the energy sector was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, data shows that the sector has begun to rebound, employing 7.8 million Americans in 2021. The motor vehicle sector in particular grew 9.8% from 2020 to 2021.

Read the full report and coverage here.

Creating Clean Energy Jobs Governor Whitmer is committed to growing Michigan’s economy and creating clean energy jobs. Early in her administration, she made administrative changes to help build the largest solar array East of the Mississippi River. The governor also took steps to ensure that all State of Michigan facilities will be powered by 100% renewable energy by 2025 and worked to responsibly deploy solar and electric vehicle charging stations on state-owned property and land.

The governor has signed four bipartisan budgets since taking office, investing tens of millions of dollars in clean energy improvements and upgrades for state facilities, families, local governments, houses of worship, and small businesses. Her budgets have also consistently invested in Michigan Saves, the nation’s first nonprofit green bank supporting small businesses and working families with financing energy improvements.

In April, Governor Whitmer unveiled the MI Healthy Climate Plan, a roadmap to grow Michigan’s economy, lower costs for working families and small businesses, create clean energy jobs, and achieve economy-wide carbon neutrality by 2050 with interim goals in 2025 and 2030.

Investing in the Future of Mobility and Electrification

Governor Whitmer has helped Michigan build on its legacy and leadership in mobility. Last year, she worked across the aisle to pass a historic, bipartisan economic development package that empowers Michigan to win big projects and create thousands of good-paying jobs. This package helped Michigan compete for and win an historic $7 billion investment from GM, creating and retaining 5,000 jobs; a $1.7 billion investment from electric vehicle battery manufacturer LG Energy Solution creating 1,200 jobs; and a $2 billion investment from Ford that will create more than 3,200 jobs.

The governor has also launched mobility-focused workforce and talent initiatives like the EV Jobs Academy and the Mobility Talent Action Team to prepare Michigan’s workforce for future electric vehicle and component manufacturing jobs. She has also spearheaded a number of public-private partnerships including REV-Midwest, a 5-state regional electric vehicle charging network; the Lake Michigan Circuit, an electric vehicle route around Lake Michigan with electric vehicle chargers in state parks; and pioneering projects like CAVNUE, a corridor for autonomous vehicle testing, and a road that charges electric vehicles wirelessly while they are moving.

The recent bipartisan budget she signed—her fourth since taking office—included funding for a transformational education project focused on research and mobility centric workforce training at the University of Michigan.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 3, 2022

Contact: [email protected]

Governor Whitmer Announces Michigan Joining Three Other Midwest States to Build Lake Michigan EV Circuit, America’s Best Electric Vehicle Road Trip

States will collaborate to build chargers along 1,100+ mile drivable shoreline of Lake Michigan, support jobs and local economies in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin

LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer announces a collaboration with Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, and Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers to build America’s next iconic road trip route, specifically for electric vehicles. The Lake Michigan EV Circuit Tour will be a network of electric vehicle chargers spanning over 1,100 miles of drivable shoreline around Lake Michigan. The multistate partnership to build and maintain the chargers and market the new eco-tourism attraction was solidified by a Memorandum of Understanding signed by key officials from each state.

“Today, Michigan is proud to lead the Lake Michigan Electric Vehicle Circuit Tour, a partnership between fellow Midwestern states to grow our economy, create more good-paying jobs, and lead the future of mobility and electrification,” said Governor Whitmer. “Since I took office, Michigan has announced nearly 25,000 auto jobs, many building electric vehicles and batteries. We have also forged public-private partnerships to build more chargers, bring supply chain home, and make our public parks more accessible. With this announcement, we are putting the country on notice that the Midwest is the place to be for clean energy and small business growth. The circuit will allow travelers to experience Lake Michigan and visit countless communities in and around the route. I am so proud that we came together to forge this bipartisan agreement. Let’s keep Michigan—and the Midwest—moving forward.”

Lake Michigan EV Circuit Tour

An electric Route-66. The Lake Michigan EV Circuit Tour will provide electric vehicle drivers a long-distance vacation opportunity with no range anxiety, and no harmful emissions.

The circuit will be a scenic route with reliable electric vehicle chargers along Lake Michigan’s 1,100 mile drivable coastline. The chargers will be installed in key coastal communities at lighthouses, state parks, breweries, vineyards, restaurants, and other small businesses. They will also be meshed into existing charging infrastructure networks at large entertainment attractions in cities along the route including Chicago, Milwaukee, and Green Bay.

Many of the network’s chargers are operable today, and drivers can expect the remainder to be installed within the next few years.