18 MiMfg Magazine January / February 2022
Winning — and Keeping — Manufacturing Jobs and Investment in Michigan
By John J . Walsh • MMA
As we enter the new year with ever-growing optimism for continued recovery from the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic — both physical and economic — I am more confident than ever in the economic future of our industry and our state .
For more than 100 years , Michigan has been economically and reputationally defined by the auto industry . Just as the transition from the horse-drawn carriage to the automobile shaped Michigan ’ s identity at the turn of the 19th century , Michigan is now faced with the imminent electrification of the automobile .
To retain new investment on our soil and maintain our national leadership in automobile development
MMA President & CEO John Walsh joined Governor Gretchen Whitmer at the end of December as she signed bipartisan legislation that puts Michigan in the game for transformational investments . and production , Michigan must out-compete other states who are taking aggressive actions to attract next-generation automotive investments .
In the final day of the legislative session of 2021 , the Legislature passed a $ 1 billion economic development tool that puts Michigan in the game for transformational investments as the auto industry and the component supply chain quickly evolves from the internal combustion engine to electric and autonomous vehicles .
The benefits of this effort will be felt throughout the supply chain and the MMA membership , including the critical tool and die and molding industries . It will also extend beyond the manufacturing industry , supporting families and communities across the state . I commend the Legislature and the Whitmer Administration for working together and coordinating closely with the manufacturing industry to allow us to engage in the interstate battle for current and future jobs and investments . Policymakers were faced with difficult decisions and , while some legislators did not support the package , we are grateful to those that took bold steps at a critical moment in Michigan ’ s history . We look forward to positive results from this action in the very near future . It further and proudly declares that Michigan is the state for manufacturers in all industries . 6
John J . Walsh is MMA ’ s President & CEO . To share your feedback , please contact communications @ mimfg . org .
Upcoming MMA Policy Committee Meetings
Make your voice heard on the issues affecting your company by joining an MMA Policy Committee Learn more at mimfg . org .
Air Policy Committee Tuesday , February 1 , 2022 Tuesday , March 1 , 2022
Environmental Policy Committee Tuesday , February 8 , 2022 Tuesday , March 8 , 2022
Employment & Workforce Policy Committee Friday , March 18 , 2022
Mining & Natural Resource Industries Policy Committee Thursday , January 20 , 2022 Thursday , March 17 , 2022
Tax Policy Committee Monday , January 31 , 2022 Monday , March 21 , 2022
MMA Policy Committee meetings are held virtually via Microsoft Teams . Learn more at mimfg . org or contact MMA ’ s Eleanor Surtman at 517-487-8552 or surtman @ mimfg . org .