Today, in a new century, this tradition of hard work and bold thinking still characterizes our people. Our state remains home to major manufacturing industries and proud communities. And the quality of life reflected in the brilliant blue waters of our Great Lakes is still enviable.

But today Michigan faces tremendous challenges. Our manufacturing companies and manufacturing workers have faced unprecedented competition from abroad, fueled by the unfair trade policies of an indifferent government in Washington. In a period of six short years, Michigan lost 243,500 manufacturing jobs - jobs that were the foundation of strong families and strong communities. Trade agreements like NAFTA and CAFTA and other federal policies resulted in massive outsourcing of American jobs to low wage countries like Mexico and China.

As the first Michigan governor elected in the 21st Century, Jennifer Granholm took office determined to face the challenge of this new era head-on. She set a course of bold change.. While battling a rising tide of red ink in the state's budget, Granholm insisted that Michigan begin a long overdue transformation of its economy so that every citizen could have the opportunity to achieve a good life. In her first term, the Governor set in motion the most comprehensive and aggressive economic plan in the nation, working to diversify Michigan's economy, educate Michigan children and give every student the opportunity to attend college, and create universal access to affordable health care. Following her election to a second term, Governor Granholm is pushing to kick Michigan's economic plan into overdrive. She has a plan to will build on every success and aggressively go after new opportunities for economic growth by increasing efforts to diversify the economy, reforming government to cut costs, strengthening Michigan schools, retraining displaced workers, expanding access to health care, and revitalizing Michigan cities.