By Staff
LANSING - At the end of her second year in office, Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm said that the economic plan she laid out 11 months ago is making Michigan stronger today and is laying the foundation for the state's economic future.
Granholm pointed to small business growth, research and development investment growth and a double-digit increase in the number of businesses doing bio-science research as evidence that Michigan is making progress that will translate into future growth.
Granholm outlined major areas of success at the mid-way point of her first term.
1. Focused on improving the economy today and tomorrow by making half a billion dollars available to attract entrepreneurs to the state; creating Regional Skills Alliances; reducing red-tape businesses face when seeking permits from the state, and fighting for legislation to retain businesses and the jobs that go with them.
And, it got results: Michigan is attractive to new businesses - small businesses grew by 2,400, seven companies opened new headquarters in Michigan this year and state support helped create or retain 130,000 jobs.
2. Expanded affordable health care to 300,000 uninsured people by opening federally qualified health care centers in Jackson and Detroit; offered Michigan residents more affordable prescription drugs through the MIRx Card; and enrolled nearly 50,000 children in the Healthy Kids and MiCHILD programs.
3. Put the state's financial house in order by eliminating a $3 billion deficit; trimming $220 million in contract expenses; saving $13 million by eliminating 2,500 cars from the state's fleet; and saving $14 million in administrative costs by turning off the lights, eliminating color copying and reducing cell phone use.