This article appeared in the August 2020 issue of MiMfg Magazine. Read the full issue and find past issues online.

Q: Share your thoughts about Michigan manufacturing, the role it plays today and what it means to the state’s future.

McMorrow: There are few other legislators who better understand the supply chain, global markets or who have a stronger desire to see more manufacturing here in Michigan.

Michigan is the state that changed the world. As a co-chair of the State’s Legislative Automotive Caucus, I’m proud to say that Michigan created the automotive industry, revolutionized manufacturing and is uniquely positioned to take on future mobility and innovation challenges while creating thousands of new career opportunities.

And, for a dose of inspiration, go out to any robotics competition in Michigan schools. Today’s kids build entire businesses from scratch. They know graphic design, coding, building, and branding — then they go out and execute entire marketing strategies. It’s incredible and a sign of our exciting future.

Q: What is one goal you want to accomplish as a Michigan State Senator?

McMorrow: Michigan should be positioned as the global leader in the transition to electric vehicles and advanced mobility. Without leaning into rapid changes within the auto industry, we risk falling behind states like California and foreign countries like China and Germany who invest heavily in these high-tech fields.

We continue to work with automakers, suppliers, utilities and major stakeholders and worked closely with the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) to create Michigan’s new Office of Future Mobility and Electrification earlier this summer.

Last year, I spearheaded a bipartisan package of bills to expand Michigan’s electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and position us to be the country’s first fully-networked state. The legislation would create an EV infrastructure council to help leverage leading research and inform proper charger placement. This will lead to stronger partnerships with charging network companies, greater incentives for small business owners and allow state parks to lease out charging space and promote Pure Michigan’s “Green Getaways.”

Michigan can lead the world in advanced manufacturing. Our efforts will help attract investment and increase jobs in vehicle manufacturing and across the necessary charging infrastructure and supply chains that support connected vehicle production.

Q: How do we get our economy back on track in the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic?

McMorrow: There is no choice between public health and the economy — they’re intricately linked.

There are easy things we can do to control the spread of COVID-19: wear a mask, social distance, keep surfaces clean and wash your hands. Goldman Sachs’ chief economist estimates that by doing so we can save as much as $1 trillion — money that can go toward stabilizing state budgets and providing much-needed stimulus for workers.

We face a nearly $6 billion revenue shortfall over the next two years. Our budget must focus on getting our basics right and investing in our state. We have to fully fund our schools to strengthen our future talent pipeline and sufficiently fund local municipalities to invest in and manage essential services. Our basic infrastructure must remain safe and properly maintained to prevent costly and avoidable catastrophes like the dam collapse we saw in Midland.

Q: Name one challenge facing the industry that you would like to tackle and how.

McMorrow: The No. 1 challenge I hear about is talent, attracting and retaining it. Michigan leads in advanced manufacturing yet so many jobs remain unfilled.

I’m proud to have been appointed to the Governor’s Michigan Workforce Development Board where I will work with LEO and stakeholders from manufacturing, minority-, female-, and veteran-owned businesses and Michigan’s K-12 and career training programs to help us achieve 60 percent postsecondary educational attainment by 2030.

I look forward to exploring how training and education can be made more affordable and accessible. We can create opportunities to expand awareness of manufacturing careers, and we must invest in community skills training programs that keep our current workers and attract new ones to Michigan.