Kalamazoo Times

Governor Gretchen Whitmer was recently at the White House to give credence to the support of bipartisan CHIPS Act.

Gov. Whitmer joined President Joe Biden, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, Director of the National Economic Council Brian Deese and Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb on March 10 to urge the passage of the CHIPS Act, which would increase chip production and strengthen the nation's manufacturing with Michigan at the epicenter of production.  

According to a news release, semiconductor chips are critical components in everyday products and the pandemic has exposed supply chain vulnerabilities that has affected multiple industries from electronics to automobiles.

"The CHIPS Act would boost domestic chip manufacturing and research, spur innovation, and help manufacturers avoid costly delays," said Gov. Whitmer. "It would create thousands of high-skill, good-paying jobs and show businesses that the United States is the place to build the future. It would lower costs for American families by breaking up delays in our supply chain. This is game-changing, bipartisan legislation that will make a real difference in people's lives if we get it done. It's the kind of bill that can set us up for decades of economic success."

The governor’s office reported that the chip shortage often halted production and in some instances forced plants to close, affecting 575,000 car-related jobs in the country with an estimated 2.2 million million vehicles not manufactured, accounting for over 3,000 working days. 

"A strong and reliable supply of semiconductors is good for America's workers, economy and automotive industry," said the Alliance for Automotive Innovation.

The Michigan Legislature collaborated with Governor Whitmer on bipartisan economic development laws that facilitated GM investing $7 billion to create and keep 5,000 jobs, with the CHIPS Act paving the way for more job and economic opportunity for the state.