A new report from Climate Power shows Michigan continues to lead the race for jobs and investment. The report shows Michigan is the number two state nationwide for clean energy investments, with a combined $20 billion of investment since August 2022. The report also shows Michigan leading the nation after winning 14 projects in clean energy, battery, and electric vehicle manufacturing. According to the report, Michigan has announced more than 13,000 jobs since the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in 2022. The Climate Power report follows Michigan being named as one of three states poised to “dominate” electric vehicle battery manufacturing in the United States by 2030.
“Michigan is competing with everyone to lead the future of cars, chips, and clean energy,” said Governor Whitmer. “In the last few years, we have utilized powerful, bipartisan economic development tools and incoming federal resources to secure over $20 billion of investment and 13,000 good-paying jobs and bring critical supply chains back home. Michigan’s future is bright, and I know we will build on our economic momentum to create tens of thousands more job and drive investment across every region of our state. We will fight to make Michigan a place where every family and business can envision a future.”
“With the rapid electrification of the transportation sector, it is with great pride to see that Michigan is a leader in this transition away from combustible engines. This is not only crucial to addressing the climate crisis, but it will also reduce dependency on fossil fuels, as well as combat the impact of greenhouse gas emissions stemming from transportation. As Michigan heads in the right direction to rapidly decarbonize and electrify, we must plan and construct comprehensive infrastructure to create sustainability within these new spaces,” said state Senator Mary Cavanagh (D-Redford Township). “Investing in a clean transportation future will put this great state on the map to achieving a connectivity, reliability, and accessibility in EVs. Welcoming new and clean transportation alternatives is crucial in the future of Michigan businesses, economy, environment and our communities throughout the whole state and country. This is just the beginning of an electrified Michigan.”
“I am pleased to see Michigan on top thanks to the leadership of Governor Whitmer,” said House Economic Development and Small Business Chair Representative Jason Hoskins (D-Southfield). “I am proud to be part of the team working to make real investments in our economic future — ones that will continue to cement our status as a leader in quality job creation.”
Last year alone, Michigan secured more than $14 billion of investment and nearly 14,000 jobs in the auto industry, cementing our position as a global leader in manufacturing and production. Since Governor Whitmer took office, Michigan has announced over 35,000 new auto jobs, expanded investments in critical industries manufacturing clean energy, chips and batteries, and revamped our economic competitiveness with a bipartisan plan to attract businesses to the state.
Clean Energy Boom
Clean energy projects creating 142,016 new jobs in 41 states were announced or advanced between August 16, 2022 and March 31, 2023. As of March 31, 2023, there are 191 new clean energy projects in small towns and bigger cities nationwide totaling $242.81 billion in new investments.
Plans include 65 new battery manufacturing sites in places like Tucson, Arizona; Rochester, New York; and Florence County, South Carolina So far, companies have announced plans for 40 new or expanded electric vehicle manufacturing facilities in Savannah, Georgia; Montgomery, Alabama; Auburn Hills, Michigan — and more. A further 34 plans were announced to expand wind and solar manufacturing in cities including Pensacola, Florida; Hutchinson, Kansas; and Georgetown, Texas. The majority of the projects are in 10 states — Arizona, California, Georgia, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas.
Our Next Energy, a Michigan-based company, invested $1.6 billion in their first battery manufacturing campus in Wayne County, EV battery maker Gotion Inc. laid plans for a $2.4 billion factory in Big Rapids, and Magna invested $526 million across several expansion projects to further Michigan’s status as the “home of the auto industry and the future of mobility in Michigan,” according to Governor Whitmer.
Electric Vehicle and Battery Project Wins
Transformational electric vehicle and battery investments in Michigan include:
- In January 2022, General Motors announced a historic investment of $7 billion, creating 4,000 and retaining 1,000 jobs, to convert Orion Township assembly plant to build full-size electric vehicle pickups and build Ultium’s third U.S. battery cell plant in Lansing.
- In March 2022, LG Energy Solution announced a $1.7 billion expansion creating 1,200 jobs in Holland manufacturing batteries.
- In June 2022, Ford Motor Company announced an investment of $2 billion, creating more than 3,200 jobs in plants across Michigan to support electric vehicle manufacturing growth and secure internal combustion engine portfolio in the state.
- In June 2022, Canadian electric vehicle charging network operator FLO announced an investment of $3 million for the company’s first-ever U.S. manufacturing facility in Auburn Hills.
- In October 2022, Michigan-based Our Next Energy announced a $1.6 billion investment to establish its first cell and electric vehicle battery pack gigafactory in Van Buren Township, creating up to 2,112 jobs.
- In October 2022, Gotion announced a $2.36 billion investment for a new manufacturing facility in Big Rapids, creating up to 2,350 jobs.
In January 2023: Ford announced a $3.5 billion investment, creating 2,500 good-paying jobs, in a new EV battery manufacturing facility in Marshall.
Whitmer Administration Accomplishments
Governor Whitmer is committed to growing Michigan’s economy and investing in our talented workforce:
- Created the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification, coordinating future investments across state government.
- Launched the EV Jobs Academy and MI EV Scholars Program to prepare Michigan’s workforce for electric vehicle sector jobs.
- Convened the Electric Vehicle and Mobility Talent Action Team, the first focused effort on talent in the electric vehicle and future mobility sectors.
- Led REV Midwest, a 5-state compact to rollout regional charging infrastructure.
- Announced the Lake Michigan Circuit, a network of EV charging infrastructure on the shore of Lake Michigan.
- Partnered with the City of Detroit, Google, and Ford on Michigan Central, a mobility innovation hub to attract and retain skilled talent and high-growth companies in Detroit.
