Year of economic successes, challenges, opportunities

At the start of 2022, we made it clear Team Michigan was on track to have a momentous year — and as we kick o 2023, while we have more work to do, we have delivered signi cant economic opportunity to communities across both peninsulas.

Collectively, alongside local and regional partners, the executive and legislative branches of state government have continued to put Michiganders rst by maintaining focus on the economic health of the state by securing more than $14 billion in EV and battery manufacturing investments, leveraging more than $600 million in private investment for placemaking support for communities around the state, elevating our support for small businesses and entrepreneurs, nding innovative new talent solutions for our employers, and showcasing the opportunity Michigan o ers businesses, travelers and prospective new residents.

Team Michigan’s actions demonstrate that we will out-hustle, out-compete and out-perform our competitors. is Michigan grittiness resulted in winning generational in- vestments from both domestic and foreign companies. From transformational EV, battery and semiconductor investments that will create good-paying jobs, increase economic activity in our downtowns and grow the customer base for our small businesses across the state, to recognizing the need to o er real-time talent solutions by creating two Talent Action Teams that leverage public/private partnerships to support the mobility and semiconductor industries — we are laser-focused on creating a championship economy in Michigan where economic possibility is felt and realized by all our friends and neighbors.

Looking back to the rst quarter of scal year 2023, the MEDC was able to help support investment projects throughout the state to make longterm equitable growth a reality for a greater number of Michiganders living in rural, suburban and urban areas across the state.

In Big Rapids, Gotion announced more than $2.3 billion of capital investment for the construction of an EV battery component manufacturing facility that will result in the cre- ation of 2,350 jobs for that region.

In the Tri-City region, Hemlock Semiconductor announced a $375 million expansion that will result in 170 jobs in omas Township to expand its hyper-pure polysilicon facility, a key component in semiconductors.

Marquette’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and incredible recreational opportunities will be accelerated by Shop House Park, where a technology center, R&D center and outdoor recreation incubator will eventually lead to innovations as transformative as the snowboard was when it was created here over 50 years ago.

Michigan’s momentum continued into 2023 when GM announced earlier this month nearly $800 million of investment in their Flint and Bay City facilities that will lead to the retention of jobs in the region.

Good things are happening, and we look forward to more exciting opportunities on the horizon.

But trust and believe, our work is not done; just as we aggressively pursued a higher standard of excellence in 2022, we eagerly look forward to executing on opportunities in our pipeline throughout 2023 to bring more capital investment, job creation and supply chain independence to Michigan.

Economic development is a competitive endeavor, and we cannot — and will not — rest on last year’s successes.

We will ensure Michigan companies have no reason to look elsewhere for growth and will amplify efforts to attract companies to the state, regardless of size, by leveraging our business-friendly environment, low cost of living and access to worldclass talent enrolled in our technical institutions, colleges and universities — from the western U.P. to southeast Michigan and everywhere throughout our two beautiful peninsulas. 2023 will bring its own set of challenges and opportunities, yet the team at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation is poised to work alongside the governor, the bipartisan Legislature and our local partners to ensure that our economic victories continue this year. Working together and focusing on those values that unite us, Team Michigan will capitalize on our relatively stable weather, uniquely balanced quality of life, tremendous two- and four-year institutions and Michigan’s presence as an international state.

Amid all the positives, I realize that too many Michiganders are still not fully participating in the vibrant state economy. Animated by Whitmer’s call to move mountains to secure opportunities for families across the state, MEDC, alongside other state agencies, is focused on enhancing a whole approach that streamlines permitting, creates more units of workforce housing and addresses the mental health of workers, in addition to our traditional focuses on business attraction, small business growth and Travel Michigan.

When it comes to securing the economic future of this state, we will pursue holistic economic development that places Michiganders rst. Winning transformational projects is a win for small business owners that have large new customers, families have increased employment options and communities have new sponsors for Little League teams and Girl Scout troops.

Economic development only matters because people matter, and MEDC will never lose sight that making the lives of our friends and neighbors better is the reason for MEDC’s existence. With this uni ed and future-looking spirit carrying us through 2023 and beyond, while there will be tests, I know that collectively we will have the answers that will guarantee our brighter future together.

Michigan, let’s get it, together.