The alternative energy buzz keeps building around Michigan, with its potential to revitalize the
state's economy while easing the nation's energy crisis. Business leaders are looking at Michigan – with
its highly skilled workers and manufacturing infrastructure – as the nation's top energy
destination.
Democratic leaders are positioning Michigan to land the tens of thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions in investment the emerging alternative energy industry offers. Earlier this year, House Democrats announced a plan to increase energy efficiency and boost the state's Renewable Portfolio Standard by requiring that 30 percent of the state's electricity come from renewable sources by 2025.
In Southeast Michigan, an abandoned Ford plant is set to reemerge as a cutting-edge energy park because of House Dems' legislation providing tax incentives for companies that specialize in large-scale commercial advanced batteries and solar energy technology. The project is expected to create at least 2,500 jobs, attract $725 million in investment and serve as an anchor for tremendous spin-off development and jobs.
The energy park builds on efforts to make Michigan the electric car capital of the world. By creating $555 million in first-in-the-nation tax credits for advanced battery manufacturers, House Democrats have already helped attract five world-class companies that are set to invest $2 billion and create 6,600 jobs in Michigan – and brought in $1.36 billion in federal advanced battery grants.
"Michigan is primed to lead the way in revolutionizing how the world powers its homes, businesses and vehicles," said State Representative Lisa Brown (West Bloomfield), who sponsored the legislation that helped land the energy park. "Emerging industries such as alternative energy and advanced batteries offer huge economic opportunity for our state and the potential job growth we need to put our workers back on the job."