Investments and Innovation are Critical for Revitalization .(MP3- 3MB)

Granholm: Investments and Innovation are Critical for Revitalization Governor Granholm to Focus on Competitiveness and Innovation at NGA Granholm Highlights Plan to Make Michigan National Leader in Alternative Energy Production Governor Granholm, 34 Other Governors Ask Congress for Additional Funding to Help Families Keep Warm

Leading the Way on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math - photo courtesy of NGA

To revitalize Michigan’s economy, it’s critical that we have a mix of investments as well as a healthy dose of innovation. And I am excited to see that both of these elements are coming together.

I have been traveling around Michigan looking at efforts that are already underway to invest in Michigan citizens and to help diversify our economy. I recently met with students at Calvin College in Grand Rapids who are working to build a wind turbine that will provide power to part of their campus. And at Macomb Community College, I met with students and workers who are learning new skills at the Turner Advanced Technology Center which is working in a partnership with local manufacturers.

At the 2007 Winter Meeting of the National Governor's Association in Washington, D.C., I participated in a series of meetings on economic growth, the alternative energy sector, expanding access to affordable health care, enforcing trade policies, and investing in workers and retraining. All of our nation's governors are talking about innovation, and they are all fighting to make their states competitive in the global marketplace. I want Michigan to not only be competitive, I want us to lead the wave of change and not be left behind.

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- photo courtesy of NGA