FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   

October 14, 2022

Contact: [email protected]

Gov. Whitmer Highlights Michigan’s Finance, Professional Services, Information Industry Job Growth

22,700 more jobs in these three key industries since the governor took office

LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer highlighted growth in Michigan’s financial and professional services job growth since she took office.

“Michigan’s economy continues to diversify, and I am proud of the strong growth we have seen in our finance, professional services, and information industries over the last couple of years, building on our overall economic momentum,” said Governor Whitmer. “In the last few years, we have added 22,700 more jobs in these key industries, offering more Michiganders paths to prosperity in their communities. As we continue growing our economy, we need to attract talent to Michigan, which means having all kinds of jobs to meet business demand and ensure that anyone can apply their skills in our state.”

“We applaud the bipartisan work done by Governor Whitmer and legislative leadership to promote Michigan’s financial industry. Michigan’s banks support the economy with consumer, business, and other loans by providing more than 59,000 people with a rewarding place to work,” stated T. Rann Paynter, President & CEO, of Michigan Bankers Association. “Banks have a direct interest in the economic growth, health, and vitality of communities, large and small, all across the state, including $29.6 billion in new home loans, $12.1 small business loans, and service to over 5.9 million customers across the state in 2021.”

Financial Services

Before the governor took office, Michigan had 221,800 jobs in this sector. As of August 2022, there are 238,800 jobs in the sector, a gain of 17,000 jobs. This sector includes job in banking, investing, insurance, and real estate.

Professional and Business Services

Before the governor took office, Michigan had 656,800 jobs in this sector. As of August 2022, there are 661,800 jobs in the sector, a gain of 5,000 jobs. This sector includes jobs in technical services, consulting, and managerial positions in businesses.

Information

Before the governor took office, Michigan had 55,600 jobs in this sector. As of August 2022, there are 56,300 jobs in the sector, a gain of 700 jobs. This sector includes jobs in high-speed internet expansion, data processing, and film, TV, and digital broadcasting.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 12, 2022

Contact: [email protected]

Governor Whitmer Makes Appointments to the Bench

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the appointments of Nicole N. Goodson to the 3rd Circuit Court of Wayne County and Michael J. McClory to the Wayne County Probate Court.

“I am honored to appoint Nicole and Michael to the circuit and probate courts in Wayne County,” said Governor Whitmer. “Nicole and Michael bring a wealth of experience with them to the bench and they will work to ensure access to justice for the residents of Wayne County.”

3rd Circuit Court of Wayne County

Nicole N. Goodson currently serves as the president and CEO of Legal Aid and Defender Association, Inc., a position she has held since 2017. In her role, Goodson oversees the operations of the organization and specializes in the representation of survivors of domestic violence in family law matters and Wayne County residents facing homelessness.  Goodson has been with Legal Aid since 2009, previously serving as a staff attorney, managing attorney, director of litigation, and chief counsel and COO. She previously served as a compliance officer and partner with The Bingham Law Group and as an attorney with Trott & Trott, P.C. Early in her career, Goodson was an attorney with Legal Aid & Defender Association and with the UAW-GM Legal Services Plan.

Goodson holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Detroit, and she earned her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. She is the secretary of the board for the SASHA Center and a former trustee for the Women’s Center of Southeastern Michigan. Goodson is also a founding member of the Michigan Racial Justice Committee and treasurer of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Ann Arbor Alumnae Chapter. Nicole lives in Northville with her husband, Rocelious, and their children, Shelby and Ryan.

“This appointment affords me the opportunity to continue my work as a public servant albeit in a different capacity,” said Goodson. “I look forward to serving the people of Wayne County and I pledge a commitment to equal access and the fair administration of justice.  I thank Governor Whitmer for this honor.”

This appointment was made to fill a partial term following the retirement of Judge Lynne A. Pierce effective August 31, 2022. Ms. Goodson’s term will commence on November 7, 2022 and expire at twelve o’clock noon on January 1, 2025. If Ms. Goodson wishes to serve the remainder of Judge Pierce’s term, expiring January 1, 2027, she would be required to run for reelection in November of 2024.

Wayne County Probate Court

Michael J. McClory currently serves as the chief deputy probate register for Wayne County, a position he has held since 2005. He has been with the probate court since 1991, having served as a court attorney and then director of special projects. McClory was instrumental in the drafting and implementation of the Estates and Protected Individuals Code in 2000 and the Michigan Trust Code in 2010. He previously worked as an associate with Plante & Moran, assistant vice president and trust officer for the Ann Arbor Bank and Trust, and as a trust officer for Citizens Bank in Flint. Early in his career, McClory worked as an associate attorney with the Law Office of Jerome M. Goldman.

McClory earned his Juris Doctor degree from Wayne State University and Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from Oakland University. He has served as an adjunct professor for probate practice at Thomas M. Cooley Law School and conducted training presentations for the UAW Legal Services Program. He previously served as the chair of the State Bar of Michigan Probate and Estate Planning Section. Michael is a resident of Northville.

“I am humbled and honored by the Governor’s appointment of me to the Wayne County Probate Court bench,” said McClory. “I will work to the best of my ability to serve the citizens of Wayne County in this position.  It will permit me, in a new capacity, to continue my work assisting Wayne County residents dealing with challenging situations.”

This appointment was made to fill a partial term following the retirement of Judge Lisa Marie Neilson effective May 3, 2022. Mr. McClory’s term will commence on November 1, 2022 and expire at twelve o’clock noon on January 1, 2023. In order to serve a full six-year term beginning January 1, 2023, he must be elected in November of 2022.

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

Nicole N. Goodson headshot 

Michael J. McClory headshot

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 13, 2022

Contact: [email protected]

Gov. Whitmer Announces Another Three Infrastructure Projects Completed as the State Continues to Fix Roads and Bridges at a Record Pace

In 2022, Gov. Whitmer is making the largest infrastructure investment in Michigan’s history

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the completion of three infrastructure projects in Gogebic, Livingston, and Luce counties as the administration continues to fix roads and bridges at a record pace across the state. The recently completed projects include the rebuilding of 2.7 miles of US-2 in Gogebic County, the Iosco Road Rebuilding Our Bridges project in Livingston County, and the Dollarville Road Rebuilding Our Bridges project in Luce County.

“Thanks to our hard work, we are moving dirt to fix roads and bridges across Michigan at a record pace. With the completion of the projects in Gogebic, Livingston, and Luce counties, Michiganders will have a smoother drive, saving them time and money as they run errands, go to work, or travel,” said Governor Whitmer. “Through the end of 2022, we will fix over 16,000 lane miles of road and more than 1,200 bridges, supporting nearly 89,000 jobs. The bipartisan budget I recently signed, will continue to support more projects like these across the state. The projects we’re moving forward with will support more good-paying jobs and deliver on an issue that matters to us all—safe, reliable infrastructure.”

Rebuilding US-2 in Gogebic County 

Major work wrapped up on Friday, October 7 on the two-year, $9.9 million project to rebuild 2.7 miles of US-2 from Powdermill Creek to east of Cedar Avenue through the city of Bessemer in the western Upper Peninsula’s Gogebic County. The work included reconfiguring lanes to add a center left-turn lane along with other safety improvements, storm sewer upgrades, and city sanitary sewer and water main replacements. Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to have supported 126 jobs.

Rebuilding Our Bridges project in Livingston County 

The Iosco Road bridge over the west branch of the Red Cedar River Drain, built in 1948, was in serious condition prior to rebuilding, which started August 15. The bridge had its superstructure replaced and slightly widened, along with substructure repairs and approach work. The bridge was reopened to traffic on Monday, October 10, four days ahead of schedule.

Livingston County had two structures included in the Rebuilding Our Bridges program, on Mason and Iosco roads. Iosco Road, while not as heavily traveled as Mason Road, is a vital connector for many areas in the county.

“Having this bridge included in the Rebuilding Our Bridges pilot was a tremendous benefit to be able fix the bridge with no impacts to our budget,” said Steve Wasylk, managing director of the Livingston County Road Commission.

Rebuilding Our Bridges project in Luce County

The Dollarville Road (Luce County Road 405N) bridge over Teaspoon Creek, southwest of Newberry in Luce County, was built in 1951 and was in serious condition before rebuilding. The bridge had its deck and beams replaced, along with substructure patching. The bridge was reopened on Thursday, October 6 to traffic.

“This bridge provides a critical link for residents, commuters, and emergency response between Newberry, the M-28 corridor, and the western part of Luce County,” said Mike McTiver, engineer-manager for the Luce County Road Commission. “Prior to the project, the structure had been posted for reduced weight allowance, limiting its capacity for commercial traffic use. I’m grateful that we were given this opportunity to have this bridge rehabilitated to continue to provide a critical link in this community for years to come. And it will be nice to have the bridge open just in time for peak fall color.”

About Rebuilding Our Bridges

Sixteen local agency bridge rebuilding projects are now largely finished, with work on three others ongoing. The last of the bridges is scheduled to be completed by November 20.

This year’s Rebuilding Our Bridges program, the first of its kind in Michigan, is repairing 19 bridges in serious or critical condition that are owned by local agencies. Each bridge will have its superstructure replaced, which includes full removal and replacement of the bridge deck and supporting beams.

All of the bridges encompassed by the Rebuilding Our Bridges program will be completed within 60 or 90 days from the start of repairs.

The Rebuilding Our Bridges program is funded by Federal Highway Improvement Program (HIP) dollars. Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) bridge staff and consultants are doing preliminary design and construction administration work for the program.

An online dashboard at Michigan.gov/BridgeBundling provides project updates and shows percent completion, detour routes, and other information for each project.

The pilot program is only the first phase of the Rebuilding Our Bridges initiative. $196 million in federal COVID relief funds appropriated by Govenor Gretchen Whitmer and the Legislature will allow the state to execute Phase II of the Rebuilding Our Bridges program, beginning planning and development later this year, to address 59 more bridges.

A list of the Phase II bridges, which were prioritized based on regional mobility and safety, is available here. Phase II focuses on closed and load-posted bridges. Some will be permanently removed while others will be fully replaced.

MDOT expects the Rebuilding Our Bridges program, which covers several bridge locations under one contract, to streamline coordination and permitting, increase economies of scale, and improve bridge conditions on local routes around the state. MDOT is working to expand the approach, already in use on state trunkline projects, to address locally owned bridges.

Rebuilding Michigan’s Roads and Bridges 

Through the end of 2022, Governor Whitmer and Lt. Governor Gilchrist will have fixed, repaired, or replaced more than 16,000 lane miles of road and 1,200 bridges, supporting more than 89,000 jobs without raising taxes by a dime. These and future repairs are made possible by the Rebuilding Michigan plan, a five-year, $3.5 billion investment in our highways and bridges, and the bipartisan Building Michigan Together Plan, the largest one-time investment in Michigan’s infrastructure in state history. These strategic investments in Michigan’s infrastructure ensure that future Michiganders will have safer roads and bridges to run errands, travel, and strengthen the economy.

Learn more about the Whitmer-Gilchrist Administration’s historic infrastructure investments by clicking on the following link: Infrastructure Accomplishments.

Infrastructure Investments in the FY 2023 Budget

Governor Whitmer and Lt. Governor Gilchrist’s fourth balanced and bipartisan budget expands on the investments in the bipartisan Building Michigan Together Plan signed in April by speeding up replacement of lead service lines, reducing traffic congestion at local rail crossings, improving state fish hatcheries, and funding long-overdue maintenance projects at state facilities.