AG Nessel Warns of New Government Imposter Scam
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Family Market Days Promote Healthy Eating and Local Farmers
Oakland County’s Family Market Days Promote Healthy Eating and Local Farmers
The Healthy Oakland Partnership (HOP) encourages Oakland County residents to participate in the annual Family Market Day events. Five-dollar coupons to purchase produce from local farmers are available to residents with a State of Michigan Bridge/EBT card or who are enrolled in Oakland County Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
“Family Market Day events demonstrate our dedication to help increase the amount of fresh produce residents purchase, as well as support our local farmers,” said Leigh-Anne Stafford, director of Oakland County Department of Health and Human Services. “These events are a great way to connect residents to fresh and locally grown produce.”
Family Market Days will take place the following days:
- Thursday, July 18 at the Oak Park Farmers Market (14300 Oak Park Boulevard, Oak Park) from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Saturday, July 20 at Oakland County Farmers Market (2350 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford) from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Five-dollar coupons for produce are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and must be used during the event. Distribution ends 30 minutes before the market closes, and no registration is necessary. The farmers markets also offer Double Up Food Bucks, which match money spent using a Bridge card/EBT up to $20.
There will be family activities such as face painting, a petting zoo, and prizes. Various resources will also be available on-site.
Family Market days are made possible in part by Trinity Health.
For more information, visit oakgov.com/health, @publichealthOC on Facebook and Twitter, or contact Kelsey Merz at [email protected] or 248-365-8954.
About Healthy Oakland Partnership (HOP)
Healthy Oakland Partnership (HOP) was launched by Oakland County Health Division in 2009 as a collaboration of local government, hospitals, health care providers, community-based organizations, business, and citizens working to increase and promote healthy eating and physical activity opportunities. HOP currently has two teams dedicated to specific initiatives: The Farmers Market Team to improve the health and well-being of Oakland County residents by supporting Farmers Markets and the Youth Team to improve health and well-being through programs in schools. HOP began hosting Family Market Days in 2009 to engage entire families in healthy eating practices and encourage physical activity. The partnership expanded to include older adults in 2017 by hosting Senior Market Days.
For media inquiries only please contact Bill Mullan, Oakland County public information officer, at 248-858-1048.
Major Progress in Reducing Michigan’s Housing Shortage
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 15, 2024 Contact: [email protected]
Gov. Whitmer Announces Major Progress in Reducing Michigan’s Housing Shortage by 50,000 Units, Expanding Access for Michiganders
LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that Michigan is making progress to tackle the statewide housing shortage. Thanks to state investment, federal resources, and strong private development, Michigan built or rehabilitated 50,000 housing units, significantly reducing the statewide shortage from 190,000 units to 141,000 units. Work to build more housing will continue thanks to record investments from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSDHA) and resources secured in the recently passed balanced state budget.
“Our record investments to build housing have reduced our statewide shortage by 50,000 units, helping tens of thousands more Michiganders have a safe, affordable place to call home,” said Governor Whitmer. “Together, with our local and statewide partners, we are making the largest investment to build housing in Michigan history so we can expand supply and drive down costs while creating tens of thousands of good-paying jobs along the way. There are more Michiganders working in construction today than any point in the last 22 years. Across the state, pipefitters, carpenters, bricklayers, and roofers are rolling up their sleeves to ‘build, baby, build’ a heck of a lot more housing and ensure every Michigander has a safe, affordable place to call home.”
Population and housing unit estimates are updated annually by the U.S. Census Bureau, most recently in May. Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) staff in its Office of Market Research uses the latest Census data to arrive at projections of supply and demand, setting the goal of a 5% vacancy rate to model the conditions of a housing market that’s healthy and balanced.
“This data shows our state is taking steps toward closing the gap and addressing the housing crisis for our neighbors,” said Amy Hovey, CEO and Executive Director of MSHDA. “That’s exactly why we raised the state’s five-year housing goal by 53% last month, in recognition of the significant progress we’ve made, yet acknowledging that we need to do more.”
Current trends indicate Michigan can expect about 20,000 additional housing units per calendar year between now and the end of 2026. However, MSHDA estimates suggest the state is likely to continue to see those trends increase, assuming the state continues to increase investment in housing production.
“The numbers support our position that the state should continue investing more in housing production, with funds that are as flexible as possible,” added Hovey. “This will allow MSHDA to continue to align our resources with the needs that local and regional leaders bring to us through the continued implementation of the Statewide Housing Plan.”
The Census Bureau’s latest revisions show increases to previous years’ data indicating that more housing was added to Michigan’s market than previously thought.
Governor Whitmer’s Work to Invest in Affordable, Attainable, and Sustainable Housing
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Stay Vigilant Against Scams During Amazon Prime Day
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Grants to Secure Future of Advanced Automotive Manufacturing
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 11, 2024 Contact: [email protected]
Gov. Whitmer Announces Grants to Secure Future of Advanced Automotive Manufacturing in Michigan Funding from Biden-Harris administration’s Inflation Reduction Act will retrofit factories, create and support good-paying jobs, bring supply chain home
LANSING, Mich.— Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced Michigan has received $657 million from the Department of Energy (DOE) to retool existing factories for the transition to electric vehicles (EV), support good-paying manufacturing jobs, and help Michigan build out its EV infrastructure. The funding comes from the Biden-Harris administration’s Domestic Manufacturing Conversion Grants for Electrified Vehicles program, which provides cost-shared grants for the made-in-America production of efficient hybrid, plug-in electric hybrid, plug-in electric drive, and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles.
“Today’s investment from the Biden-Harris administration’s Inflation Reduction Act will build on Michigan’s economic momentum as we compete to lead the future of advanced manufacturing,” said Governor Whitmer. “These grants will help us retool our existing factories to build electric and hybrid vehicles right here in Michigan. We must be proactive if we are going to keep building the cars and trucks the people rely on in America, and I am proud that Michiganders are ready to roll up their sleeves and get it done. Let’s keep bringing manufacturing and supply chains back to America by doing what we do best—build, baby, build!”
“The next generation of vehicles should be built by American companies and American workers, which is why I’m so happy to see what’s happening today in Lansing at GM’s Grand River Assembly,” said U.S. Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin. “Today’s announcement is a step towards that goal and will ensure the plant is well-equipped to build new, advanced electric vehicles. Whether or not you drive an EV today, or ever care to, there’s no denying they will be a big part of the vehicles of tomorrow. All you have to do is look at Europe and Mexico and see that China is looking to be *the* manufacturer of this next generation of cars. That’s why it’s essential to our economic and national security that electric vehicles, the batteries and components they run on, and other critical products are made in America. The funding announced today will also protect existing jobs and generate new ones while driving economic growth in the area, so it’s a clear win for Lansing.”
The program aims to support a just transition for workers and communities in the shift to electrified transportation, with particular attention to communities supporting facilities with longer histories in automotive manufacturing.
General Motors Receives $500 Million to Upgrade Lansing Grand River Plant
General Motors will receive $500 million to upgrade its Lansing Grand River Plant to allow for the production of new electrified models and enable the facility to be considered for future EV programs. The investment will preserve 650 jobs while creating 50 new jobs. The continued operation of this facility will also positively impact communities across the region by enabling GM to diversify its contract and vendor network within the state of Michigan.
ZF North America Receives $157 Million to Modernize Marysville Facility
ZF North America, based in Northville, will receive up to $157.7 million to modernize its Marysville facility to allow for the production of electric vehicle components to meet potential future customer orders, strengthening the American EV supply chain and providing robust benefits to the local community. The investment will preserve 536 jobs with the potential to add to these numbers by the end of the decade and support ZF’s commitment to working with local community groups to mitigate impacts on the local environment.
“This critical federal investment will protect jobs and support middle-class families working in the manufacturing industry,” said Susan Corbin, director of Michigan’s Department of Labor & Economic Opportunity. “This funding is not just about maintaining our current workforce; it’s about expanding it. By investing in our clean energy future, we are ensuring that our workforce grows and that Michiganders are equipped with the skills needed to thrive in an ever-changing economy, underscoring our commitment to a sustainable future and a robust, resilient job market for generations to come.”
Michigan has the expertise to be a national leader in the automotive industry’s transition to EVs, and this grant will ensure we can do so in a responsible, accessible and equitable manner that honors our existing business infrastructure and skillsets,” said Quentin L. Messer, Jr., CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. “We are grateful to the Department of Energy for its vision in creating this opportunity and congratulate the grantees on this accomplishment. While work remains, Team Michigan is excited about how these grants will help implement our ‘Make it in Michigan’ economic development strategy focused on People, Places and Projects along the grantee companies and those throughout their respective supply chains.”
ZF will also receive up to $10 million from a matching grant from the Battery and Advanced Manufacturing Challenge from the Make it in Michigan Competitiveness Fund. Announced in February 2024, the Challenge was developed to help companies leverage unprecedented federal opportunities made available through the Biden-Harris Administration’s CHIPS Act, Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Governor Whitmer and the Michigan Infrastructure Office challenged companies applying to support workers with fair pay, good benefits, skill development and protect their union rights.
To date, the Make it in Michigan Competitiveness Fund has invested $48.8 million, leveraging $276 million in federal funds, a return on investment of more than 5:1.
“Investments from the Inflation Reduction Act are creating jobs in hard-working counties across Michigan, building the future of sustainable transportation and clean energy,” said Zachary Kolodin, Michigan’s chief infrastructure officer and director of the Michigan Infrastructure Office. “That’s why we are competing to win every dollar through fiscally responsible investments like the Make it in Michigan Competitiveness Fund and Technical Assistance Center. We are grateful to President Biden and our representatives in Washington for making these investments possible and bringing the EV supply chain right home where it belongs – in Michigan.”
A new report from Climate Power shows Michigan continues to be a national leader in clean energy and electric vehicle manufacturing. The Battery and Advanced Manufacturing challenge complements Michigan’s leadership and marks an exciting step towards a cleaner future.
Bolstered by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Michigan is No. 1 in the nation for IRA projects, which have resulted in more than $25 billion in new investments across the state. This funding, in tandem with Governor Whitmer’s clean energy legislative package and bipartisan economic development tools, is growing the middle class, creating good-paying, in-demand manufacturing jobs, bringing supply chains home, and lowering energy costs for families.
For more information about the Make it in Michigan Competitiveness Fund and how to apply for funding or technical assistance, please visit www.michigan.gov/whitmer/
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Free School Breakfast, Lunches, for Michigan Students Next Year
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 10, 2024 Contact: [email protected]
Gov. Whitmer Secures Funding to Guarantee Free School Breakfast, Lunches, for Michigan Students Next Year, Saving Families $850 Each Year
LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Whitmer announced the newly passed education budget for next school year will continue providing universally-free breakfast and lunch to Michigan’s 1.4 million public school students throughout the school year.
“As a parent, I remember the chaos of weekday mornings when you’re just trying to get your kids out the door and off to school on time,” said Governor Whitmer. “In the budget for next school year, we are reducing that burden on Michigan families by providing free breakfast and lunch for every student throughout the school year and over the summer too. Free school meals save parents $850 per year per kid and valuable time every morning. When students are fed, they can focus better in class. Let’s keep working together to feed our kids and ensure every family has the support they need to thrive.”
“As a dad of three, I know how important it is for my children to be able to focus on learning and growing at school, just like every parent.” said Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist II. “That’s why Governor Whitmer and I have continued to fight for Michigan’s students, ensuring all 1.4 million of them get free breakfast and lunch during the school year. We’ll continue to fight for Michigan’s students all year long.”
The FY25 budget allocates funding to ensure that free school breakfasts and lunches throughout the school year will continue to be available to students next year. It is projected that Michigan schools will have served 76.3 million breakfasts and 135.6 million lunches to students throughout the 2023-2024 school year.
Since taking office, Governor Whitmer has continued to fight for students, making sure everyone has the support and resources they need to succeed in our schools. By guaranteeing free school breakfast and lunch to students in the FY25 budget, Governor Whitmer is alleviating the financial burden on Michigan’s families and ensuring students can focus on learning.
A Better, More Affordable Education
Governor Whitmer remains a steadfast ally for students and families in Michigan’s school system. Since taking office, she has made strategic and specific investments in Michigan’s education sector, fighting for real results that support students across the state. These accomplishments include:
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