I was down in the Detroit area today to make a big jobs announcement!  Through our Local Jobs Today program, we are making $44 million available to help 49 cities in 47 counties.  With that small state investment, those communities can tap more than $279 million in federal transportation funds.  The money will be used to speed up 210 local road projects around the state this year and next, creating nearly 5,000 jobs; more wonderful news for our Michigan workers!
 
Sure, this funding will help our largest cities, Detroit and Grand Rapids – but so much more.  We are jumpstarting economic development in communities from the tip of the Upper Peninsula all the way down to Monroe County!  The program also marks the first time state dollars are being used to fund city and county transportation projects.  The Local Jobs Today program is part of my comprehensive economic plan to create jobs and grow Michigan’s economy.  Through this jumpstart, not only will 5,000 people be put to work today, but our main system of transportation will be safe and efficient for residents across Michigan.
 
I spend a lot of time in the car on our highways and back roads, and like you, I have been caught in the traffic snarls caused by construction.  And as you can imagine, I hear the grumbling from family and friends about slow going on the roads this summer.  But I continue to tell them that short term pain is long term gain.  Every time you see an orange barrel, remember the jobs it represents and think about the safe, accessible routes that will result.  I am off to another meeting, but stay tuned this week for more announcements to come…