MACKINAC ISLAND, MI -- State leaders will meet on Mackinac Island to discuss the future of Michigan and ways to attract new businesses to our state.
Wednesday was the first day of the three day conference and Andrew Keller sat down with Governor Rick Snyder to find out his goals now that the budget is passed.
For the next three days, the plan for the future of Michigan will be drafted right on Mackinac Island. The Detroit Regional Chamber has sponsored the collaborative conference and brainstorming event for more than 30 years.
"This week’s discussions are all about how do we get ourselves all together, focused in the right direction, start creating jobs, start creating investment, and turn this state around," said Detroit Regional Chamber’s COO Tammy Carnike.
Governor Rick Snyder is on the island and sat down to talk about the future.
One of his priorities is to have construction start on a new bridge between Detroit and Canada, a project that he says could create more than 35,000 jobs.
"I’d like to see move forward is the new International Trade Crossing, and that's a big project, it's a big win for our state in terms of jobs and international trade," Snyder said.
But the project has met some harsh criticism. Opponents have spent thousands of dollars in advertising to fight the project.
Another battle front is education. His school funding cuts have angered teachers and school administrators across the state, yet the Governor plans to talk education this week and lay out his plans to make the system better.
“We haven't put enough emphasis on student growth and achievement, so a lot of this is to say let's recalibrate our system, where the dollars are going, but making sure those dollars are educating the kids in the best ways," said the Governor.
And now that the business tax is off the books, Snyder will push businesses across the state to invest and create jobs.
“Have you seen change? Have you seen a positive growth in Michigan, are you seeing it?" I asked.
"Sure, and that's the exciting part, it's about us working together, it's about we in Michigan coming together to say it's time to reinvent ourselves, and I call it relentless positive action," Snyder said.
And like last year's conference, the number one goal as leaders leave Mackinac Island is to bring jobs back to Michigan.
