We often talk about diversifying our economy and creating incentives for entrepreneurs, but sometimes creating jobs is as simple as hiring Michigan workers to do Michigan jobs… Last week, we brought 26 jobs back home where they belong to Northern Michigan; with the potential for more to come in the next year.

Before today, when a citizen placed a call to the Michigan Department of Human Services for information about their assistance programs, their calls would be diverted to centers in Florida, Mexico…even India! But now DHS is using Crusecom Technology Consultants, based in Oscoda, to provide call center support for an estimated 75,000 calls per month regarding the DHS assistance programs.

Now people in our state will be employed to help disburse benefits to more than 1.1 million people in Michigan who depend on cash, food, and emergency benefits each month to feed their children and make ends meet.  In addition to creating jobs for Michigan workers, this consolidation will save taxpayers $25.6 million over the next five years.

This is wonderful news for our state!  Instead of watching our jobs go overseas, I am fighting to keep jobs right here in Michigan. This is just another example of how we must put Michigan First by using goods and services from workers right here in the Great Lakes state. I will continue to go anywhere to bring jobs home…