Bipartisan budget delivers on comprehensive economic development strategy centered on projects, people, and places, puts Michigan in strong economic position to win future    

LANSING, Mich. — Wednesday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer highlighted investments in the recently passed bipartisan budget that deliver on “Make it in Michigan,” a comprehensive economic development strategy unveiled at the Mackinac Policy Conference.    

“We need to win more projects, invest in people, and revitalize places so anyone can ‘Make it in Michigan,’” said Governor Whitmer. “The recent, bipartisan budget delivers on several key components of the Make it in Michigan strategy. In the months ahead, let’s keep our foot on the accelerator and make strategic investments to build a brighter future for Michigan. We have the momentum right now, with low unemployment and 82,000 jobs added year over year. Let’s bring manufacturing and supply chains home, improve student outcomes from pre-K through postsecondary, and build housing and community revitalization projects.”    

PROJECTS 

Make it Michigan Fund 

Over the last 18 months, Michigan has won $16 billion of projects and 16,000 jobs thanks to powerful, bipartisan economic development tools established in December 2021.    

The budget makes a $500 million annual deposit in the Make it in Michigan Fund to continue winning projects, creating jobs, and bringing supply chains home.   

Made in Michigan Competitiveness Fund 

The budget set aside $350 million into the Make it in Michigan Competitiveness Fund, which will be used to secure federal resources from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act. These resources will be used to fix or build a variety of infrastructure, secure high-tech, advanced manufacturing of semiconductors and batteries, and expand clean energy production while lowering costs for families.   

Expanding High-Speed Internet 

Michigan is set to receive over $1.5 billion (4th highest in the nation) through the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program to expand high-speed internet access to over 200,000 Michiganders in unserved and underserved areas across the state.     

PEOPLE 

Pre-K 

The Governor proposed taking steps towards Pre-K for All by the end of her second term in her 2023 State of the State address. The budget makes investments to get it done, expanding free preschool to up to 5,600 more kids this year and more next year, saving families $10,000 a year and getting their kids a great start.   

“For the first time in decades, we have a budget that properly invests in our students, teachers, and schools,” said Senator Darrin Camilleri (D- Brownstown Township). Between the largest per-pupil funding increase in Michigan's history and paving the way toward Pre-K for all with a significant GSRP expansion, this budget makes huge strides toward our goal of making sure that every child in Michigan gets a world-class public education."   

Record Student Funding 

Since taking office, the Governor has signed four record education budgets. The latest budget raises per-pupil to an all-time high, up 22% since the Governor took office. That’s $9,608 for every child, in every school, since the Governor also signed a bipartisan budget two years ago closing the school funding gap in Michigan.   

Expand Reconnect 

Governor Whitmer signed bipartisan legislation in February 2021 to launch Michigan Reconnect, which offers any Michigander 25 and older a tuition-free associates degree or skill certificate. By August 2022, the program had received 100,000 applications. In her 2023 State of the State address, the Governor proposed lowering the age of eligibility for Reconnect from 25 to 21. The budget got it done, expanding the program to 350,000 more Michiganders.   

Grow Michigan’s Population 

At the 2023 Mackinac Policy Conference, Governor Whitmer unveiled the bipartisan Growing Michigan Together Council, which will bring together diverse perspectives to focus on strategically growing the state’s population and economy while protecting its natural resources. The budget funds the council so they can get started on their initial report to the governor later this year.   

PLACES   

Building More Housing 

Earlier this year, Governor Whitmer signed bipartisan legislation investing $150 million into the Housing and Community Development Fund (HCDF), which will help Michigan build or refurbish 2,000 housing units, house 6,000 Michiganders, and support 1,600 good-paying construction jobs. The bill also funded the Missing Middle Housing Program, which specifically aims to build and rehabilitate properties for middle class families. The Governor also signed an executive directive earlier this year improving collaboration across state government to speed up deployment of funds and ultimately, the construction of housing. The recent budget invests $50 million annually into the HCDF.   

"Affordable housing is often the first thing I hear about in conversations with community members. As we invest in new jobs, we also need to invest in housing that works for working families,” said Senator Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City). “This budget prioritizes improving everyday life across Michigan and providing children, working families, and businesses the opportunities to achieve their best."   

Revitalizing Downtowns 

The bipartisan housing and community development bill the Governor signed also invested $100 million into Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) Grants to turn underutilized office, commercial, and community space into places for people to enjoy, including affordable housing, outdoor dining areas, and more. More information about previously funded RAP grants can be found here. The recent budget invests $50 million annually into RAP grants.    

“The ‘Make it in Michigan’ strategy is a real game-changer that is going to help make sure everyone in Michigan has the opportunities and tools to thrive — I applaud Gov. Whitmer for spearheading this strategy,” said Representative Kristian Grant (D-Grand Rapids). “The investments outlined in the state budget that we just passed last week also speak to the commitment of state leaders to empower the people of Michigan through aggressive, smart economic development planning. In my role as legislator and beyond, I have been a longtime advocate of urban economic development and accessible housing, because I know how absolutely critical these elements are for urban cores to grow and flourish. We are setting Michigan up for economic success by ensuring residents in urban areas have equitable and affordable housing opportunities, by investing in our small businesses and workforce, and by building up our communities. I look forward to keeping the ball rolling, so we can advance and cultivate our urban communities in new and productive ways.”   

Transforming Brownfields 

Soon, Governor Whitmer will sign bipartisan legislation updating and upgrading Michigan’s brownfield program. The new Make it in Michigan Transformational Brownfield Fund will help convert abandoned or underutilized property, including former industrial sites, into productive space. This is another tool in the state’s toolbox to build more housing and revitalize existing property.   

“There is no other program designed for, or capable of, supporting brownfield redevelopments of this scale and impact, putting obsolete vacant land back to proper use,” said Senator Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield), who sponsored the legislation. “It’s a tool that will help keep and attract talent here, grow our population, and create the kind of vibrant locations that people want to live in—while retaining the local input and control that communities are looking for. This legislation is called ‘transformational’ for a reason, and is another key piece to Michigan Democrats’ holistic, comprehensive approach to economic development.”   

Improving Permitting 

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