GRAND RAPIDS – As part of a statewide plan to speed up construction projects and create tens of thousands of jobs for Michigan workers, State Representative Robert Dean (D-Grand Rapids) today announced two projects at Grand Valley State University and Grand Rapids Community College that aim to create more than 1,600 local jobs. The projects were approved on Wednesday by the Michigan House, and now head to the Senate for final approval.
"Getting Grand Rapids residents back on the job is my top priority, and these projects will ensure that more Western Michigan workers have good-paying jobs to pay their mortgage and put their children through college," Dean said. "In addition, the improvements planned for these schools will give them the resources they need to prepare our students for the global economy, which is essential to making Michigan a magnet for cutting-edge businesses."
Grand Valley State University and Grand Rapids Community College are targeted for construction and renovation projects totaling $103.5 million, made up of a mix of state, federal and local funding. The Learning and Technology Center at Grand Valley State will receive a $70 million renovation, and a $33.5 million Lifelong Learning Center will be constructed at Grand Rapids Community College.
In addition to creating jobs for our workers, the projects will help better equip both schools to prepare Michigan's students for high-tech jobs in homeland security, life sciences and other cutting-edge fields. The projects are two of hundreds of construction projects at universities, colleges, airports, military facilities and state parks across the state that aim to help create more than 29,000 jobs for Michigan's workers. They are part of a plan to pump $1.8 billion into the economy and help move Michigan forward.
"By improving our infrastructure and strengthening our schools, we will attract investment and businesses to Michigan," Dean said. "These projects will give our economy the boost it needs and get our residents back to work. I call on my colleagues in the Senate stand up for our working families and pass this plan."