FY25 Budget Investments

KALAMAZOO, Mich.— Following the passage of a historic budget agreement that provides funding for the newly created Community & Worker Economic Transition Office, the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) will meet with Kalamazoo’s auto and energy sectors, community-based organizations, local government representatives, higher education and workforce development leaders, and representatives from labor organizations and skilled trades at 2 p.m. on Monday, July 15, at the Catalyst Center to discuss how the new office will help Michiganders benefit from transitions in the auto and energy sectors.

Housed within LEO, the Economic Transition Office will lead efforts to develop a statewide plan for upcoming advancements in high-tech EV manufacturing and clean energy opportunities. By helping workers access high-quality jobs and providing employers with proactive direction to funding and resources, the office will build a more resilient state workforce to keep up with the evolving demand for electric vehicles and clean energy technologies.

The event will highlight investments included in Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget that bolster the office’s efforts that help companies and individuals take full advantage of the good-paying, middle-class jobs coming to Michigan. These investments include $2.5 million to support staff and operations for the historic new office, which is one of the first of its kind in the country, and $8.6 million for a Community & Worker Economic Transition Pilot Fund that will be used to develop critical resources to help impacted communities and workers prepare for economic transitions in the years ahead, and pilot innovative programs in future years to fill gaps in services available to communities, workers and businesses navigating clean energy transitions.

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

WHAT: Roundtable to discuss budget investments and opportunities for the Community & Worker Economic Transition Office to support Michiganders amid clean energy transitions.

WHO:

Jonathan Smith, Senior Chief Deputy Director, Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity

John Taylor, Vice Chairperson, Kalamazoo County

Pat McGinnis, City Manager, City of Portage

Dr. Paul Watson, President, Kellogg Community College

Jonas Peterson, CEO, Southwest Michigan First

Dr. Dedrick Martin, Superintendent, Kalamazoo RESA

WHEN: Monday, July 15, 2024, 2 – 4 p.m.

WHERE: Warner Building, The Catalyst Center, 180 E. Water St. Kalamazoo, MI 49007

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