LANSING (Feb. 9, 2023) — The Michigan Manufacturers Association (MMA), the state’s only statewide advocacy organization dedicated solely to the success of Michigan’s manufacturing sector, has released its legislative and regulatory agenda, Compete to Succeed: Manufacturing Vision for Michigan 2023-2024 which reflects an action plan for creating and maintaining a statewide business climate that allows manufacturers to thrive in a global economy.

“Michigan’s manufacturing industry has an undeniable impact on our state’s economy and our citizens, making it absolutely critical to our state’s future that we outperform other states to attract and retain manufacturing talent and capital investment,” said MMA President & CEO John J. Walsh. “Michigan is the most diverse manufacturing center in the world, with more than 12,000 manufacturing companies employing more than 630,000, equating to over 14 percent of the state’s entire workforce.”

Compete to Succeed sets forth a legislative and regulatory agenda for Michigan policymakers that recognizes the significant challenges facing Michigan manufacturers
and their employees amid looming uncertainty in the global economy caused by lingering COVID-19 concerns, a fragile supply chain and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“As the only sector that truly competes on a global scale, Michigan must prioritize economic development and talent development to effectively compete for industry investment and maintain Michigan’s position as the manufacturing state,” said MMA Executive Vice President of Government Affairs & Workforce Development Mike Johnston. “Now is the time to focus on energizing and revolutionizing Michigan's talent base, while drawing transformational capital investment that will support our state’s economy for generations to come.”

The Association’s top priorities were reflected in Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s proposals for the fiscal year 2023-2024 state budget. MMA commends the Whitmer Administration for emphasizing and funding programs that will create jobs in Michigan’s most vital sector and drive our state’s ongoing economic recovery, including:

Talent Development

• A total of $80 million for employer-driven short-term training for in-demand occupations through the Going PRO Talent Fund. Governor Whitmer proposed an additional $35 million in the current fiscal year, adding to $55 million that was appropriated in the 2022-2023 budget, as well as continued funding in FY 2024.
• An extra $10.2 million for the Michigan Reconnect program, totaling $65 million for the program that provides a tuition-free pathway to industry credentials and associates degrees.
• $35 million for a new Retraining and Retooling Fund to help small manufacturers address training and credentialling workers.

Economic Development

• An additional $500 million for the Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve (SOAR) Fund, which has successfully attracted $13.575 billion in transformational capital investment that will create nearly 13,000 jobs and position Michigan for economic success.
• A long-term funding source for the SOAR Fund that will provide $500 million annually for the next 10 years if Corporate Income Tax revenues exceed $1.3 billion.
• $150 million dedicated to attracting and establishing a Michigan-based insulin manufacturing facility to both create jobs and lower the cost of insulin in the state.
• $65 million to expand Michigan’s Electric Vehicle charging infrastructure.

“We are pleased that Governor Whitmer shares our goal of making Michigan the prime
location for manufacturing growth and investment,” said Johnston. “We look forward to working together with the Administration and our friends in the Legislature to overcome the challenges facing our state to emerge as the global leader in manufacturing.”

With 120 years as the constant, vigilant beacon to the world’s most innovative, inventive and industrious business sectors on the planet, MMA has a proven track record
and an unwavering commitment to serve Michigan manufacturers through legislative
advocacy, workforce development, education, training, networking and cost savings.

For more information or to schedule a call with MMA Executive Vice President of Government Affairs & Workforce Development Mike Johnston, contact MMA’s Delaney McKinley at 517-487-8530 or mckinley@mimfg.org.

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