M
anufacturing is in Michigan’s
DNA.” Governor Rick Snyder
spoke those words at his
inauguration and, through seven years
of dedicated action, his Administration
has helped reinvigorate a state industry
which had been lost for over a decade.
MMA has proudly worked with
the Administration and the Legislature
to create a business climate attractive
to manufacturing. On the road to
reclaiming its role as a global leader,
Michigan is becoming a source of
21st century innovation, new ideas
and compelling trends.
No state wants to stumble or be
stuck in the middle of the pack. For far
too long, Michigan’s economic success
was limited and employers watched as
other states became more competitive
and the Great Lakes State struggled to
keep up. Michigan manufacturers want
this to be a location where business
thrives and that means becoming a
Top 10 state.
What are the characteristics of a
Top 10 state? A state that leads the
nation by:
• Attracting existing businesses to
reinvest and new businesses to arrive
by providing an economic climate that
promotes growth and competitiveness
• Creating resources for employers
to locate, attract, train and retain
their talent
• Limiting regulatory overreach
and develop rules that both care for
the state’s natural resources and
allow businesses and communities
to thrive
Through the last seven years,
the evidence is clear — Michigan is
returning to Top 10 status, leading
the way in manufacturing and we’re
only getting started.
Promoting Growth &
Competitiveness
Over the last decade, the Michigan
that lost talent by the thousands was
slowly replaced by a state regularly
ranked among the national leaders in
job creation.
How?
Gone was the unique value-added
approach. Gone was the anti-manufacturing
December 2017
gross receipts tax. Gone was the Michigan
Business Tax surcharge. Gone was the
Industrial Personal Property Tax.
The results?
Michigan moved from 40th in the
nation to a top-10 state for business.
The state’s overall business tax climate
now ranks 12th. Michigan’s corporate
tax rating? From a bottom-of-the-barrel
48th to 8th.
“We’ve made incredible strides over
the last decade to transition Michigan
from a state on the brink to a national
leader in manufacturing job creation
and a worldwide leader in innovation and
new technology,” said Mike Johnston,
MMA vice president of government
affairs. “While we should be proud of
our accomplishments, as Governor
Snyder continues to say, now is not the
time to slow down — now is the time
to double down and keep Michigan as
the location for global manufacturing.”
MiMfg Magazine
curriculum customized to the talent
needs of local manufacturers.
Governor’s Education &
Talent Summit
An annual forum for manufacturers
to connect with educators, local leaders,
legislators and talent stakeholders to
bring awareness of available career paths
and to share resources and existing best
practices. (See page 20 for details to
register at the exclusive MMA-member
rate of $125.)
Skilled Trades Training Fund
This MMA-supported funding
options provides workforce development
grants to interested employers. More
than 800 employers will receive a total
of $29 million in grant funding for fiscal
year 2018. (Learn more about the 2018
recipients of STTF grants and program
details on page 21.)
“
Keeping our state a leader in global mobility, R&D,
manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism means more
opportunities for great careers in the Great Lakes
State. Retaining and attracting t alent, promoting job
training and building our talent base for in-demand jobs
will help Michigan grow and Michiganders prosper.
”
— Statement from the Snyder Administration’s
A Path Toward Our Future document
Turning Talent into
a Top Priority
Following his reelection in 2014,
Governor Snyder announced skilled
trades training as a focus of his second
term in office and emphasized that the
state that wins on talent would lead the next
generation. MMA is helping drive solutions
by leading industries and partnering
with the Snyder Administration and
others to move Michigan forward.
PRIME®
This partnership of MMA and the
SME Education Foundation will
provide manufacturers a talent pool
from their local K-12 school by
developing an employer-driven
Michigan Career Pathways Alliance
The Michigan Career Pathways
Alliance initiatives seek to improve
access to multiple pathways to good jobs
in Michigan by implementing career
exploration options, enhancing career
counseling, creating flexibility within
the Michigan Merit Curriculum and
expanding career and technical education
option (CTE) throughout Michigan.
(Discover more about the Career Pathways
Alliance by clicking on the video from
TED Director Roger Curtis on page 21.)
Talent-focused legislation in 2018
The talent gap is a clear barrier to
growth in Michigan and solutions to these
challenges will create opportunities for
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