MI New Economy Tour Gains Steam in Detroit  

Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II and state officials met recently with local business, workforce development and community leaders in Detroit to discuss the ways Michigan can achieve the goals laid out in Gov. Whitmer’s MI New Economy Plan. The event is part of a statewide tour designed to bring stakeholders together to discuss a comprehensive strategy to utilize American Rescue Plan funds to lift Michigan families out of working poverty, grow the middle class, support small businesses and invest in Michigan’s communities.

“From day one, Gov. Whitmer and I have been laser-focused on putting Michiganders and addressing the economic issues most important to them first,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “We remain committed to working with every serious federal, state, and local partner to deliver solutions that position our people, small businesses, and overall state economy for a strong and prosperous future.”

The goal of these events is to share the governor’s vision with key stakeholders and thought leaders and highlight local projects that demonstrate how the MI New Economy plan can move the state’s economy forward.

“We are committed to carrying out Gov. Whitmer’s economic vision that tackles structural challenges in an effort to grow Michigan’s economy, create good-paying jobs and build industries of the future,” said Susan Corbin, director of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO). “It is critical that we work together and hear from a diverse set of voices throughout the state, so that we can continue our economic recovery and build Michigan back better.”

The Detroit stop of the tour included presentations from LEO and an open discussion with other local leaders to highlight their initiatives – current and on the horizon – that align with the MI New Economy plan.

“We’re glad to have had this opportunity to talk with the governor’s office about what’s important for Detroit’s residents, our business community and community partners,” said Nicole Sherard-Freeman, group executive of jobs, economy and Detroit at Work. “Helping lift Detroit families out of poverty and into middle class jobs is a focus of the Duggan administration, and it’s clear this is a priority we share with the rest of the state.”

Bishop Edgar Vann, senior pastor of Second Ebenezer Church in Detroit, told the Michigan Chronicle that he was “genuinely impressed” with the economic initiative.

“I believe this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for this kind of an infusion of capital into our state and into our region and into our city,” Vann said, adding that meeting with stakeholders and influencers will help kick off this initiative correctly. “The sheer amount of money that is coming through the sort of financial ecosystem and …saturating down to the various projects is an enormous opportunity.”

He added that the emphasis on helping get people out of poverty, while addressing the underlying inequity in the community and state, is a “necessary” infrastructure improvement while bringing equity to the forefront.

“I think it’s the right thing to do; it’s the moral thing to do,” Vann said. “I’m just believing that for me this has spiritual foundations because the equitable distribution of resources to the areas (and to the people) who need it the most is the just and fair thing to do.”

Last month, Gov. Whitmer detailed her economic agenda, including the unveiling of the three pillars of her $2.1 billion MI New Economy plan with specific and ambitious goals that will help state officials track progress on efforts to build a stronger and more resilient Michigan. The governor’s vision features three central pillars focused on economic development, workforce and community investment.

To learn more about the MI New Economy plan, the state’s economic and workforce challenges and successes the state has seen to date, visit www.michigan.gov/MINewEconomy.