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Governor Granholm Underscores Importance of Agriculture to Michigan's Economy

From the Office of the Governor:

LANSING - In her weekly radio address on August 19, 2005, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm underscored the importance of Michigan's agriculture industry, valued at $37 billion a year and employing half a million Michigan citizens.

"We are a state of high-tech auto manufacturers, but we're also a state of high-tech farms," Granholm said today. "We are proud to be the second-most diverse state in the nation in agricultural commodities, from our wide variety of field crops to specialty crops like cherries and blueberries and asparagus."

Granholm noted that the Administration is working to make sure farmers continue to thrive in Michigan.

Since 2003, the state has opened eight new Agricultural Processing Renaissance Zones in areas like Calhoun, Ottawa and Ontonagon counties, all of which help Michigan's second largest industry create jobs and increase investment by establishing tax free areas. The Governor also cited a Community Development Block Grant for Boar's Head Provisions in Holland Charter Township awarded earlier this year that will help the company expand its food production facilities and create 115 new jobs as a result.

The Governor's address followed a week in which she paid tribute to agriculture with visits to the Michigan State Fair, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in the city of Detroit, and the Upper Peninsula State Fair in Escanaba.

"We are blessed in Michigan with abundant natural resources, with a great agricultural heritage, and with hard working people who sustain this critical industry," Granholm said. "This week was a great reminder that we have to continue our work to support them and to help our farmers and agricultural processors succeed in the 21st century."

Click here to view the full address.