Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced a new 10-year plan called the Michigan Maritime Strategy that aims to advance economic growth and create well paying jobs across the Michigan maritime industry while protecting Great Lakes natural resources.
“Michigan is prepared to lead the future of maritime innovation while protecting the waters that define us,” said Governor Whitmer. “The Michigan Maritime Strategy is a long-term plan for us to create good-paying local jobs and attract cutting-edge investments while protecting our Great Lakes, which contain 21% of the world’s fresh surface water. Because of our unique natural resources, we have an incredible opportunity to harness them to grow our economy and an awesome responsibility to safeguard them for future generations of Michiganders. With this new strategy, we will do both, ensuring our waters remain a source of pride and prosperity for generations to come.”
The Michigan Maritime Strategy aligns state priorities between the Michigan departments of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), Transportation (MDOT), Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), and Natural Resources (DNR), along with the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME) in the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), and the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) to support economic development, infrastructure modernization, marine manufacturing, clean energy, innovation, workforce development and sustainability.
Currently, Michigan ports contribute around $3.3 billion a year to the state economy and provide around 17,000 jobs, while water-based tourism in the state generates $12 billion and supports 45,000 jobs. The Michigan Maritime Strategy will support economic growth in the sector through six goals: Modernize ports and invest in intermodal infrastructure, grow Michigan’s maritime manufacturing economy, accelerate adoption of low- and zero-emission technologies, lead the nation in recruitment, training and retention of maritime workers, cultivate marine innovation, and increase sustainability and resilience of recreation harbors and marinas.
The 10-year strategy was developed over the course of a year with input and assistance from over 200 participants spanning the government, business, marine industry, communities and academia, led by EGLE’s Office of the Great Lakes.
To learn more, visit michigan.gov/whitmer/news.
PHOTO: GOVERNOR GRETCHEN WHITMER FACEBOOK
