Governor Granholm Says Recovery Act will Help Millions of Citizens Throughout Michigan

Press Release

Governor Granholm Says Recovery Act will Help Millions of Citizens Throughout Michigan

Federal act will provide a safety net for families, create jobs

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today said that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) will help protect millions of citizens impacted by the national recession and allow the state to move forward with its plans to grow the economy and create jobs by providing education and training for workers and invest in the new energy economy.

The governor explained that the billions of dollars coming to the state will help citizens and families in a variety of ways from putting people to work and ensuring that health care continues for the vulnerable, to making education more affordable and our communities safer.

"In Michigan, the economic recovery program is a one-time opportunity to accelerate the plan we are working to diversify our economy and create jobs today and jobs tomorrow," Granholm said. "We know things will get worse before they get better, but this aggressive package is a big step toward putting people back to work and investing in our long-term success. It will provide billions of dollars to create jobs and help citizens all over the state who are struggling as a result of the recession."

The governor noted that the recovery act will help the state by:

- saving existing Michigan jobs and creating new jobs;
- investing in training and education that prepares Michigan's citizens, young and old, for new jobs today and new jobs tomorrow;
- rebuilding Michigan's infrastructure - roads, bridges, water and sewer systems;
- investing in mass transit, broadband, health information technology, and 21st century schools;
- investing in clean, renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies to grow jobs, save money, and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels; and,
- providing a safety net for families struggling in this national economic crisis.

Granholm noted that some citizens who are most affected by the recession will begin to feel the impact of the economic recovery program next week when unemployment checks increase by $25 per week. On April 1, citizens receiving food assistance will see an increase in their allotments, and tax credits authorized for citizens and businesses will take effect.

Last week the federal government announced that $380 million will be coming to Michigan for weatherization programs, efforts that will allow families to reduce their home heating costs. And, just this week, the state House of Representatives approved legislation that will authorize $873 million in spending for road and transit projects across the state, an effort expected to create some 25,000 jobs.

Governor Granholm emphasized that as the state moves forward on its implementation plans, there will be a strict accountability, oversight, and transparency measures in place so citizens will know we are investing recovery funds wisely and responsibly.

The governor also noted that because Michigan has done more to control spending than any other state in the country, no state is better positioned to seize the opportunities the recovery program offers states.

Renewable energy is already a key focus of the state's economic development strategy. The recovery program will enable the state to make key investments in our renewable energy economy, creating jobs weatherizing homes, installing energy efficient furnaces and appliances, and designing, manufacturing, and installing solar panels and wind turbines.

The recovery package will allow the state to invest in the economy of the future - a clean energy economy. Those investments and incentives will increase the demand for new energy technologies and the jobs to design, manufacture, and install them, all while saving businesses and homeowners money on energy bills and reducing our dependence on fossil fuels.

Another area the state is ahead of the curve is on worker training. The No Worker Left Behind initiative is investing in training and education that prepares Michigan's citizens - young and old - for new jobs today and new jobs tomorrow. The recovery program will enable the state to prepare more Michigan workers for in-demand jobs.

More information on recovery programs that will benefit citizens can be found at www.michigan.gov/recovery

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