Gretchen Whitmer Is Failing To Attract Manufacturers To Invest In Michigan – Companies Are Choosing To Do Business Elsewhere
“With Gretchen Whitmer in charge, it is no wonder companies like Ford and Intel chose to invest in red states with welcoming business climates and competent leadership. Losing these businesses is not just a failure on Whitmer’s part, it is gross negligence, with the price ultimately being paid by Michiganders who suffer the consequences of her ineffectiveness in office. Whitmer’s flip-flopping and failures have led to a stagnant economy and Michiganders are ready to usher in a new era of economic opportunity this November by electing a new Republican governor.” – Gustavo Portela, MIGOP Communications Director
Whitmer Is Failing To Acquire New Manufacturing Opportunities For Michigan
- In 2022, Whitmer traveled to Washington to see Joe Biden to get his help in bringing semiconductor manufacturing to Michigan.
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- Whitmer asked Biden for help securing semiconductor manufacturing in Michigan
- This comes after Governor Mike DeWine (R-OH) secured a $20 billion deal with Intel to build semiconductor manufacturing plants in the Columbus area.
- Ohio offered Intel pro-business incentives to come to Ohio.
- In 2021, Whitmer skipped out on a presidential visit from Joe Biden when Biden went to Detroit to promote electric vehicle production.
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- Whitmer’s excuse for not attending the event with Biden was that she was meeting with semiconductor industry leaders trying to draw some of their business into Michigan.
- However, according to Michigan Campaign Finance records, Whitmer used that time in California to fundraise for her re-election.
- In 2021, Whitmer failed to place a bid on a Ford Motor Company electric vehicle expansion.
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- Ford decided to open up factories in Tennessee and Kentucky, an $11.4 billion investment which created 11,000 jobs between those states.
- The Detroit News Editorial: “Michigan not ready to compete for EV future.”
- Whitmer refused to take responsibility for losing out on Ford’s electric vehicle manufacturing expansion.
- In 2022, Stellentis and LG announced a $4.1 billion investment in Ontario building electric vehicle batteries in Windsor, just across the river from Detroit, creating 2,500 Canadian jobs.
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- Whitmer secured a smaller $1.7 billion deal with LG which will create a much smaller 1,200 jobs in Holland.
- The Detroit News: “Michigan has missed out on another electric-vehicle battery plant – this time, to its neighbor across the Detroit River.
Whitmer’s Policies Are Driving Away Businesses
- In November 2021, Whitmer vetoed a bill waiving fines for first-time COVID-related workplace violations for businesses.
- In July 2021, Whitmer vetoed a bill ending the federal unemployment benefits supplement which paid some Michiganders more money not to work.
- In March 2021, Whitmer vetoed $652 million in federal COVID relief funds for business tax relief.
- In March 2021, Whitmer vetoed tax relief for businesses to purchase PPE.
Michigan’s Manufacturing Economy Has Slowed
- More than 25,000 manufacturing jobs have been lost since Whitmer became governor.
- In the fourth quarter of 2021, Michigan’s economy grew at a slower pace than the nation as a whole by more than a full percentage point.
- Michigan was only one of four states to experience negative GDP growth in both 2019 and 2020.