The roundtable brought together stakeholders in the auto and energy sectors, non-profits and community-based organizations, local government representatives, higher education and workforce development leaders, and representatives from labor organizations and the skilled trades to share their experiences navigating economic transitions in the past and ideas about how the Economic Transition Office could be a resource for communities around Michigan as they seek to grow in the future. 

“During the 20th Century people from around the world came to Detroit because a job in the auto industry meant a ticket into the middle-class,” said Jonathan Smith, senior chief deputy director of LEO. “As Michigan leads the world in the shift to clean energy technology, we have an opportunity to put our communities and workers first in line for new jobs and new investment in this growing economy. The Economic Transition Office will be a powerful ally for communities as they look to create and attract high-tech, high-paying jobs in the mobility and energy sectors and beyond.” 

The roundtable comes on the heels of the release of the Community & Worker Economic Transition Office Roundtable Summary Report, which documents key insights, feedback and suggestions gathered during a series of roundtables previously held in other regions across the state.  

It builds on the office’s ongoing commitment to working with communities to co-develop a clear vision for a diversified economy and use our state’s leadership on energy   to put our communities, workers and businesses first in line for economic opportunity.    

“As we continue to position Michigan as a national leader in clean energy, the new Community and Worker Economic Transition Office is an essential component for navigating our economic future,” said Senator Mary Cavanagh (D-Redford Township). “The goals of this office align with our state’s core identity of hard work, innovation and resilience and will provide the tools and resources necessary to ensure that every worker and business can make it in Michigan for years to come.” 

“I commend the Economic Transition Office for organizing this critical convening of local voices to share in the vision of Detroit’s future clean energy economy,” said Terri Weems, Group Executive of Workforce and Detroit at Work, City of Detroit. “Our ultimate goal is to ensure that all Detroiters have the opportunity to compete and thrive in Michigan’s changing workforce, so that they may achieve financial stability and growth for their families and communities in the years to come.” 

The office is an important piece of the Clean Energy and Jobs Package and aims to support communities, workers and employers by ensuring they can proactively prepare for, benefit from and shape Michigan’s future economy. 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. Michigan now leads the Midwest in number of clean energy workers. 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 with the build-out of renewable energy, like solar and wind.  

Housed within LEO, the office will lead efforts to develop a statewide plan for upcoming advancements into high-tech EV manufacturing and clean energy opportunities. The office will help build a more resilient state workforce by helping workers access high-quality jobs and providing employers with proactive direction to funding and resources to retool their equipment and train their employees to keep up with the evolving demand for electric vehicles and clean energy technologies.   

While other states have created Just Transition offices with a narrower focus, Michigan’s Economic Transition Office is the first in the nation to address shifts to renewable energy in both the utility and auto sectors, making up more than 20% of the state’s economy.   

Communities  

The Economic Transition Office will continue to prioritize collaboration with community leaders and stakeholders to co-create a clear vision for a vibrant diversified economy and design and execute a strategy to address the most pressing risks facing our state’s regions. The office will also centralize information on regional and federal resources, track initiatives, provide technical assistance and capacity building support to connect communities to resources and centralizing best practices. 

Workers 

The Economic Transition Office will help workers on their path to these high-tech, high-pay jobs by increasing awareness of, and decreasing barriers to accessing resources, as well as partnering with community leaders to influence design of new programs that fill gaps. The office will collaborate with workforce partners, ensuring priority populations receive proactive outreach. 

Employers  

In advancing Michigan’s economic and equity goals, the office will also include a focus on targeting opportunities to support small and medium-sized businesses, women and minority-owned businesses, and those that have already experienced losses from the decline of manufacturing jobs. The office is also committed to promoting businesses that prioritize paying good wages, providing decent benefits and ensuring the fair treatment of workers. 

For more information on LEO's initiatives and the Michigan Community & Worker Economic Transition Office, visit Michigan.gov/EconomicTransition.