At the 2025 Detroit Auto Show, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer gave a “road ahead” address focused on economic development priorities, including some that the Detroit Regional Chamber has energetically pursued over the past year. Whitmer focused on several areas of interest she wants to address over her final two years, ranging from economic development funds to transit. Below are the main ideas from the speech and how the Chamber’s priorities align with the Executive’s.
Economic Development
SOAR, the economic development tool that the Chamber helped create in 2021, expires in 2025. Without this program, thousands of jobs would not have been created in the state, and new companies would not have been attracted. A “Make It in Michigan” job fund will help the state close deals faster and keep Michigan competitive with other states.
An expired state program known as Good Jobs for Michigan has also lapsed. This program gave tax credits to employers that created high-paying jobs in their Michigan locations. The new proposal is known as HIRE Michigan and remains a top priority for the Chamber, as it could not cross the finish line during the 2024 lame duck session.
Metro Detroit does not have the amount of site-ready land available for developers to compete with states like Kentucky and Tennessee. To attract more developments here, the state needs a site readiness program to create shovel-ready sites for developers to begin work as soon as day one.
Business Climate
Domestic and global competitiveness is key to keeping Michigan manufacturing in the state and attracting new growth. Proximity saves companies time and money, a key advantage to Michigan’s many assets. However, as seen in Europe, the major subsidies offered by the Chinese government to their manufacturers allow Chinese vehicles to undercut all other vehicles in the market, impacting domestic manufacturing capacity. Michigan and the U.S. must do everything in their power to protect their domestic vehicle production.
Additionally, the state must continue leveraging its strongest trading partner, Canada. Tariffs on imports and retaliatory tariffs on exports hurt American consumers and producers. Trade agreements can be negotiated, Michigan does not need to be a pawn in a tariff war.
Talent
Whitmer called for an increase in investments in housing and placemaking. Michigan has one of the oldest housing stocks in the nation, leaving homeowners with fewer choices when entering the market and an even bigger disadvantage to first-time home buyers.
Placemaking investments develop areas where people spend their time and money, including main streets, parks, and community events. By developing communities around where someone lives, works, or plays, they are more likely to stay in that area for a long term and attract new talent to move to the area.
Mobility
Lastly, Whitmer kept her campaign messaging surrounding the state’s road condition. The current road bonding plan also expires in 2025, meaning the legislature will have to negotiate a new road funding plan. Companies rely on dependable infrastructure, and Michigan’s crumbling infrastructure can leave economic opportunities on the table. The Chamber will continue to advocate for a long-term road funding solution that leaves the corporate income tax rate untouched.