Michigan is playing a starring role in a new federal initiative designed to spark the creation of new manufacturing jobs as part of the Advanced Manufacturing Partnership. The federal government will spend $500 million to jumpstart manufacturing research and development projects.
President Obama says the government played an important role initially in projects that led to the creation of the internet, cell phones, and companies like Google. He says this investment can do the same for manufacturing.
Dow Chemical CEO Andrew Liveris will lead the partnership and Ford Motor Company, Stryker Corporation and the University of Michigan will also be involved. U of M President Mary Sue Coleman says Michigan, with its heavy reliance on manufacturing, has more to gain from the partnership than any other state.