Date:  September 10, 2009
Contact: Kurt Weiss, 517-335-0050

Partnership bringing new IT jobs and investments to Michigan

Lansing - Michigan Department of Information Technology (MDIT) Director Ken Theis today announced an initiative to develop, attract and retain Information Technology jobs and investments in Michigan.  The New Economy Partnerships (NEP) collaboration brings together MDIT, the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to make Michigan a destination for growing information, communications and technology (ICT) firms and services.
"About a year ago we started combining IT expertise, workforce development and economic incentives in ‘one-stop' fashion and winning investments for Michigan" said Theis.  "Today we're formalizing that effort and engaging the private sector in developing proactive strategies and incentives.  This partnership is not only benefiting Michigan's economy, but it is enhancing government service for our citizens."

The three-pronged approach is being measured on jobs and investment, workforce development and retention, as well as high-tech innovation and capability.

Michigan's New Economy Partnerships effort is finalizing the development of an IT-specific toolkit for firms and job providers utilizing new and existing incentives.  This includes targeted job-training resources to enable Michigan workers to compete within high-demand IT fields.

"Our four-year and community colleges are key partners in this endeavor," said Stanley "Skip" Pruss, Director of DELEG.  "We are developing cross-training programs for our displaced workers and providing opportunities for individuals entering the workforce for development into these high-growth industries."

"With Michigan's aggressive efforts to diversify the economy underway, the timing is right to evaluate how supporting targeted growth in the IT sector may accelerate that strategy," said Greg Main, President and CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. "We have the talent and drive to innovate and the cost structure and capacity to develop a national-caliber ICT backbone.  In partnership with our IT and workforce resources, the MEDC is committed to finding the right economic development tools to achieve this."

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the fastest growing occupation in the U.S. through 2016 is network systems and data communications. Of the 30 fastest growing occupations, five are in the IT field.

MDIT Director Theis announced the New Economy Partnerships effort in remarks before the Detroit CIO Executive Summit in Dearborn.