Capitol Connect Newsletter: Jan. 25, 2022
In This Issue:
- 2022 Policy Priority Focus Areas
- General Motors Picks Delta Township for New EV Plant Project
- Downtown Lansing Receives Support From Michigan Economic Development Corporation
- 2022 State of the State Address
- Lansing City Council First Ward Update
- Winning Michigan Jobs
- 2021 Policy Priorities and Positive Outcomes
2022 Policy Priority Focus Areas
The Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce (LRCC) serves as the voice of business for the Greater Lansing region. Our government relations team is focused on leading advocacy efforts to strengthen the business environment in our region and enhance our community while keeping you connected and advocating on your behalf.
Below are the 2022 policy priority focus areas that the LRCC’s government relations team will be engaged in throughout the year:
- Economic Development & Job Creation
- Talent and Education (K-12, higher education, professional trades)
- Regional infrastructure
- Government regulations
- Affordable housing
- Healthcare accessibility and affordability
As we continue to work relentlessly on the policies impacting your business, if you have specific issues that you want our staff to review, please contact Steve Japinga, vice president, public affairs at sjapinga@lansingchamber.org or 517-853-6467.
General Motors Picks Delta Township for New EV Plant Project
General Motors (GM) announced a $2.5 billion investment in the Greater Lansing region today. GM CEO Mary Barra provided the news at a press conference in Lansing that GM will construct an Electric Vehicle (EV) battery plant in partnership with Ultium Cells, LLC.
The new GM battery plant will be in Delta Township on land near the current Lansing Delta Township assembly plant. In December 2021, the Lansing City Council and Delta Township Board of Trustees took an important step by voting to amend their 425 agreement –a legal move needed to allow the project to move forward. The state legislature also adopted a bill package that creates incentives to land significant jobs and investment projects, including those in EV/battery and semiconductor industries. The project will support GM’s future growth in the electric vehicle (EV) market and create up to 1,700 new jobs in the Greater Lansing region.
“This truly is a great day for the Greater Lansing region,” said Tim Daman, president and CEO, LRCC. “The construction of this battery plant will not only create new jobs and investment in our region, but it also secures our long-term future relationship with General Motors and will firmly establish our region’s world leadership position in the next generation electric vehicle revolution.”
Downtown Lansing Receives Support From Michigan Economic Development Corporation
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) announced its support to Downtown Lansing, Inc. (DLI) through the Michigan Main Street and Redevelopment Ready Communities technical assistance programs. DLI will be embarking on a comprehensive market analysis (CMA) to better understand the needs of those looking to live downtown, as well as review the business blend and priority sites for a strong future for Downtown Lansing. Additionally, this review will also look at a new model for downtown Lansing that relies less on 8-5 workers and more on permanent residents.
2022 State of the State Address
Governor Whitmer will provide her 2022 State of the State Address this Wednesday, Jan. 26. It will be aired virtually. More information on her address is available below
Lansing City Council First Ward Update
The City of Lansing’s First Ward Council member Brandon Betz resigned earlier this month. Due to his resignation, the Lansing City Council will appoint a new member to serve in the remainder of former Lansing City Council First Ward Member Betz’ term of office, which is 2023.
Lansing First Ward encompasses the northeast side of the city. Eleven residents living in Lansing’s First Ward have applied for the position. Each applicant will be interviewed by the Lansing City Council at their committee of the whole on Monday, Jan. 31 at 6 p.m. A final selection by City Council will be made on Tuesday, Feb. 1. Lansing’s City Pulse has provided a great rundown of each First Ward applicant. The article is available below.
City Pulse: Eleven candidates emerge for Lansing City Council vacancy
Winning Jobs Michigan
The Lansing Regional Chamber joined over 20 organizations and leaders throughout the state to work collectively to help Michigan regain a competitive edge in the race for new jobs and investment. Chamb members continue to indicate that the most important priorities they want their Chamber team to focus on is supporting policy that creates jobs adn strengthens our economy as well as working on solutions to our talent and workforce development challenges. Learn more about the four key strategies at the Winning Michigan Jobs website, available below.
2021 Policy Priorities and Positive Outcomes
While 2021 remained just as unique and unpredictable as 2020, the Lansing Regional Chamber’s government relations team has been serving its essential role of supporting and advocating on the issues important to you. Read the article on page 22 of FOCUS Magazine to learn more about the policy priorities along with key areas of success our team has had on your behalf at the federal, state, and local levels of government.