LANSING – The Michigan House of Representatives today approved a plan that will create more than 29,000 jobs for Michigan workers after strengthening a weaker version that was approved by the Senate. The economic stimulus plan that will pump more than $1.8 billion into Michigan's economy now goes back to the Senate for approval.
"The hundreds of construction projects included in this plan will create jobs in Michigan now and well into the future," said House Speaker Andy Dillon (D-Redford Twp.). "Not only will this plan create tens of thousands of jobs for our residents, but it will help our world-class universities produce the next generation of top-notch workers for our great state."
The stimulus package will speed up funding for hundreds of construction projects around the state at universities, colleges, airports, military facilities and state parks. In addition to creating jobs now for Michigan's workers, the plan also will create new jobs in emerging fields by providing 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. Some of the projects include:
- Expanding the Plant Sciences Bio-Economy facilities at Michigan State University, creating 2,341 jobs.
- Building a Multi-Disciplinary Biomedical Research Building at Wayne State University, creating 2,880 jobs.
- Building a Public Safety/Homeland Security Classroom Building at Schoolcraft College in Livonia, creating 240 jobs.
- Building a Health Sciences Building at Saginaw Valley State University, creating 448 jobs.
"The benefits of this plan will be realized for years to come," said State Rep. Morris Hood III (D-Detroit), Chair of the Joint Capital Outlay Subcommittee. "The thousands of jobs it creates will help get working families back on their feet, and it will equip our colleges and universities to train students for high-tech jobs that will make Michigan a magnet for businesses looking to expand or relocate."