Michigan delegation Tuesday breakfast - jobs and energy

The theme at today's Michigan delegation breakfast was economic development and renewable energy - two topics closely linked in the plans of the Granholm Administration.

Armand Robinson, Alice Corey, Sen. Stabenow, and Sen. Levin listen to the Governor

Here are my notes of Granholm's talk. (I am not bothering with grammatical correctness or complete sentences in my hurry to post this).

Why is Barack Obama inportant for us in Michigan? John McCain is the "outsourcerer" (!) We are not afraid of trade, but we want a level playing field. Tonight at 6 pm the convention will feature a "national town hall" at the convention on jobs.

An Obama Administration would see Michigan as leading the nation on renewable energy. What makes Michigan uniquely qualified to lead in renewable energy? Our manufacturing infrastructure - European wind turbine manufacturers looking for places to build them in the US are looking to Michigan.

Wind
Water (new hydro)
Workforce
Wood - Michigan has the largest amount of publically owned forest in the country. We currently have the largest commercial cellulosic ethanol plant in the nation.
Waste - trash into fuel

Hemlock Semiconductor in Saginaw Valley makes ultra-pure polycrystalline silicon for solar.

This was an absolutely supurb talk, followed by one no less impressive, since it did not come from a politician.

Andrew Liveris, CEO of Dow

Mr. Liveris spoke of how important public-private partnerships are to encouraging business to provide jobs, and not just for the money, but for the moral, he used the word spiritual, benefits. "Do we work to live, or live to work?" The former - so cultural amenities are very important when a company decides whether to stay or go.

It is not easy for a global company like Dow to make Michigan home. Yet - we call Michigan home. We resisted pressures to move elsewhere.

I am going to be reporting as much from the breakfasts as from the floor of the convention, since this is the part you at home don't see. This was a very important, enlightening, and encouraging series of talks.