LANSING – State Representatives Jennifer Haase (D-Richmond), Sarah Roberts (D-St. Clair Shores) and Jon Switalski (D-Warren) today praised the announcement that Michigan will receive $1.36 billion in federal funding for the development and production of advanced batteries to power the next generation of automobiles, creating thousands of jobs for Michigan's workers.
"Michigan is home to a one-of-a-kind workforce and manufacturing base and is an ideal place to invest in fast-growing technologies like advanced batteries," Haase said. "These grants will go a long way to support our workers and get them back on the job while bringing new, high-tech industries to Michigan. This is very good news for our state and our workers."
In April, a plan that Haase, Roberts and Switalski supported was signed into law that expanded state tax credits for companies involved in advanced battery manufacturing to $555 million. The plan builds on Michigan's first-in-the-nation tax credits that were signed into law in January. The first of those tax breaks were awarded to General Motors for the production of lithium-ion batteries for its new Chevy Volt, which will be built in Michigan. The tax incentives have resulted in more than $2 billion in investments by five world-class advanced battery companies that will create more than 6,600 jobs in Michigan.
"As the state that put the world on wheels, Michigan has always been a pioneer in emerging industries," Roberts said. "Making Michigan a leader in advanced automotive technologies will help create more opportunities for our highly skilled workers. In addition, bringing advanced battery manufacturing to Michigan will help break our dependence on foreign oil and show other renewable energy industries that our state is a great place to set up shop."
The $1.36 billion awarded to Michigan is more than half of the $2.4 billion in federal grants announced today that will further accelerate the development and commercialization of safe and affordable electric vehicles. Of the 48 grants approved, 11 are in Michigan, including $70 million awarded to Chrysler to develop advanced hybrid electric pickups and minivans at its Warren plant and $62.7 million awarded to Ford to produce electric drive transaxles at its Sterling Heights plant.
"Our auto industry and workers have faced historic challenges, and we've taken some extreme hits here in Macomb County, especially in Warren," Switalski said. "But we know how to turn challenges into opportunity here in Michigan and this is a perfect example. These grants are exactly what we need to help create good-paying jobs for our workers and provide the tools our automakers need to ensure that Michigan remains the center of automotive technology in the 21st century."