Applicants Requested to Create a Strategy Empowering Michiganders with the Resources They Need to Thrive in a Clean Energy Future

Lansing, Mich.— To help Michiganders take advantage of clean energy jobs coming to the state, the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) is launching a Request for Information (RFI) to create a strategy that empowers communities, workers and employers with the resources they need to proactively prepare for, benefit from, and shape Michigan's future economy.

LEO’s Community & Worker Economic Transition Office (Economic Transition Office) has a mandate to help communities respond to challenges that result from economic transitions in the automotive and utility sectors. Community engagement is critical to this effort. Since launching the office in February 2024, LEO has conducted community roundtables throughout the state to hear from local partners who are working on these issues or have the potential to be impacted by clean energy transitions. 

LEO is issuing this RFI, titled “Community Rapid Response and Resiliency Planning Program” as part of its efforts to build on this engagement and inform future Economic Transition Office resources and programming.

“Michigan is leading the Midwest in the creation of energy jobs thanks to federal funding from the Biden-Harris Administration and Governor Whitmer's ambitious clean energy package, said LEO Senior Chief Deputy Director Jonathan Smith. “We are seeking advice on how to develop a comprehensive strategy that ensures every Michigan community is fully equipped to thrive in this new economy. By empowering local communities with the knowledge and resources they need to prepare for the future economy we can build a sustainable future that benefits everyone.”

LEO is soliciting information about the methods, partners, and resources needed to successfully develop and facilitate in-depth scenario planning exercises. There are three potential components to this work: 

• Conducting a simulated exercise to document and understand the existing rapid response process, then reviewing that process to look for improvements, enhancements or best practices. 
• Creating a playbook that communities can use to prepare for economic transitions. This playbook would include resources that could be used for resiliency and diversification planning as well as a guide for how to navigate a specific plant closure or business failure. 
• Identifying a cohort of cities/regions particularly exposed to economic transitions and providing technical assistance to help them deploy the playbook to develop a resiliency and/or growth plan for their communities.

The information obtained from this RFI will be used to develop a Request for Proposals targeted toward creating an innovative program to help communities successfully navigate economic transitions and create economic stabilization and growth plans. LEO is accepting applications until Aug. 31, 2024. The RFI can be found online under Community Rapid Response and Resiliency Planning Program.

Michigan leads the Midwest when it comes to the number of clean energy workers. The 2023 Clean Jobs America Report stated that clean energy businesses in Michigan added more than 5,400 workers in 2022 and now employ 123,983 Michiganders. According to the World Resource Institute, by the year 2040, the state could create 41,000 new jobs as it advances electric vehicle manufacturing and builds out renewable energy, like solar and wind.

To learn more about LEO’s Community & Worker Economic Transition Office, visit michigan.gov/EconomicTransition.

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