Gov. Granholm signs promotion bills to spend $60 million marketing Mich.

Published 1:41 pm Monday, April 21, 2008

By Staff
LANSING – Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm Friday signed into law a package of bills establishing the Michigan Promotion Program, an aggressive $60 million marketing push to boost the state's tourism and business attraction efforts.
The initiative – passed with overwhelming bipartisan support -is part of an overall job creation and economic stimulus package proposed by the governor in her State of the State address earlier this year.
"We are putting into place the most aggressive marketing of Michigan we have ever seen," Granholm said. "This unprecedented investment will allow us to promote our state in new markets and trumpet to a whole new audience what we already know – that Michigan is a great vacation destination and a great place to do business."
The bills will transfer $60 million from the state's 21st Century Jobs Trust Fund to the Michigan Strategic Fund, which will oversee the Michigan Promotion Program.
The new program will direct $45 million to the state's Pure Michigan tourism campaign and $15 million to the state's Upper Hand business marketing campaign.
"Michigan has unique advantages few states can match – natural beauty, world-class cities, a competitive business climate and dynamic workforce," Michigan Economic Development Corp. President and CEO James C. Epolito said. "This additional funding will allow us to sell our state to tourist and CEO alike."
Earlier this month, Granholm signed into law legislation that establishes the most aggressive film incentive program in the nation.