Fourth of July is upon us. And there is no better place in the world to celebrate than in Michigan. We have so much to enjoy here in the Great Lakes State—miles of sandy shoreline, beautiful lakes and rivers, exciting sporting events, top-notch golf courses and our fabulous cultural attractions—and I encourage everyone to be a tourist in their own state. Go ahead, explore!

Last month, we launched a new marketing campaign in collaboration with the MEDC to let people outside Michigan know what we already know – that Michigan isn’t just a great place to live, it’s also a great vacation destination. Michigan native Tim Allen, a great actor and comedian, narrates this campaign, aptly titled “Pure Michigan.”

You might be wondering, during this time of economic transformation, why we would double funds for tourism? Because in Michigan, tourism is about more than just relaxing on a beach, camping in the woods or enjoying one of our urban centers. The tourism industry is a crucial component of our economy. Tourists spend more than $17 billion in Michigan each year, generating considerable revenue and over 193,000 jobs. And we know that each additional dollar we spend advertising Michigan generates another $3.43 in tourist spending. So, we’ve dedicated some of our $2 billion 21st Century Jobs Fund to significantly increase funding for promoting Michigan to the nation.  There is no question it is a wise investment to continue to grow our economy.

As you all enjoy your time this weekend surrounded by good family and good friends, I hope you can also take the time to relax and enjoy our “Pure Michigan.”  I wish you all a happy and safe holiday weekend…