LANSING – State Representative Mary Valentine (D-Norton Shores) today called upon the Michigan Senate to act on a plan that will create more than 29,000 jobs for Michigan workers.
"These projects will not only create jobs, but will also help to build a strong workforce for Michigan and attract 21st century job providers to our state," Valentine said. "In order to move forward we must invest in our communities. This plan is far too important to be ignored and the Senate must act quickly."
The plan that passed the House last week speeds up funding for hundreds of construction projects at universities, colleges, airports, military facilities and state parks across the state. In addition to creating jobs now for Michigan's workers, the plan also will create new jobs in emerging fields by equipping our colleges and universities with the facilities they need to train students for high-tech jobs in homeland security, life sciences and other cutting-edge fields.
Using a mix of state, federal and local funding, Muskegon County Airport will begin a $2.6 million upgrade, creating 40 new jobs, and Muskegon Community College will begin building a $5 million Student Services Building, creating 80 new jobs. These projects are just two of hundreds that will help create more than 29,000 jobs for Michigan's workers and pump $1.8 billion into the economy.
Quick passage of this plan is essential to securing federal funding for the airport projects involved. The state has until June 30 to obtain the Governor's signature on the plan and go through the required bidding process in order to receive the federal funding that will pay for most of the projects.
"Every job we create makes a difference to our working families and helps put Michigan back on track," Valentine
said. "We need to ensure that we receive the funding for these projects so we can get our workers back on the job. I
call on my colleagues in the Senate to pass this legislation now."