Speaking at Mott Community College, this morning, Governor Granholm made a big announcement, for the State of Michigan. 

“We, as a State, are going to be the place where the electrical vehicle is built.”  In town to roll out her Economic Stimulus plan for Flint, Governor Jennifer Granholm surprised the crowd of a 100 or more citizens and students, with her announcements. 

She also stated that “GM, Ford, Chrysler, and Dow Chemicals are teaming up with battery companies to go after Recovery Act dollars to make Michigan the lead state in the nation in producing the batteries that will power the electric vehicle.”  According to the Governor there are about 2 billion or more dollars available for this type of project.

I question whether or not the manufacturing of the electric car or lithium ion battery will be the key to Michigan’s turnaround.  I’m hoping we don’t put all of our “eggs” in one basket again, like the state did when it put all of its hope the manufacturing of the automobile.  Yet, I am hopeful that this could be a good start. 

I also hope the manufacturers target some of the “readymade” vacant land we now have available, perfectly cured for building more manufacturing plants.

Listen in as the Governor also talks about the training opportunities for Flint's unemployed.

To read the full Michigan Recovery and Reinvestment Plan go to www.michigan.gov/recovery.

*I took this picture of the Governor as she rolled out her plans for our cities and State, at Mott Community College, Flint, Michigan, the morning of Friday, April 17, 2009.