“These are real opportunities in real time that
will be decided over the next 60 to 90 days,” said
Quentin Messer Jr., CEO of the Michigan Economic
Development Corp. and president and chair of the
Michigan Strategic Fund.
The Republican-led House passed the legislation
83-21, with bipartisan support, hours after it
was advanced from the panel. The Senate is
expected to consider it in the coming days.
Negotiations are ongoing.
Backers pointed to Dearborn-based Ford’s plans
to build three battery factories and an electric
assembly plant in Tennessee and Kentucky, a blow
to the nation’s auto hub. Japanese automaker
Toyota this week announced it will construct an
electric vehicle battery factory in North Carolina.
General Motors, headquartered in Detroit, plans to
build four North American battery cell plants. Two
have been announced, in Ohio and Tennessee.
“When you look at what happened with Ford,
them not even considering Michigan, I think
that sent shockwaves through our state. We
need to make sure that we have the resources
and the tools ready to be competitive across
the country,” said House Speaker Jason
Wentworth, a Farwell Republican who hopes
the package is sent to Democratic Gov.
Gretchen Whitmer before the Legislatures
adjourns next week.
Wendy Block, vice president of business
advocacy and member engagement for
the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, said
unspecified companies could announce
“transformational” and “generational” projects
as soon as January. Three big projects are on
the table, she said.