On Jan. 15, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivered her “Road Ahead” address at the 2025 Detroit Auto Show, outlining her vision to grow the economy, improve infrastructure, and continue bolstering Michigan’s auto industry in the face of regional, national, and international competition. She also emphasized the way her administration will seek to foster the growth of good-paying jobs, fix the roads, and maintain strong relationships with trading partners in Canada.
On Economic Development
Building on the recent enactment of a new R&D tax credit law and innovation fund, Whitmer discussed plans to create new or replenish existing economic development tools to continue growing the state’s economy. These include a “Make It in Michigan” job fund to help the state close deals faster and keep Michigan competitive with other states. She also championed reviving the Good Jobs for Michigan program, which expired in 2019 and is now rebranded as HIRE Michigan. This program would provide employers with payroll tax cuts to incentivize hiring Michigan workers.
Noting the significant success of existing brownfield redevelopment tools, Whitmer also emphasized the need for additional site readiness funds to facilitate business attraction and job creation. She also spoke to the need to expand affordable housing, establish new placemaking tools to revitalize communities across the state and improve transit options to enhance connectivity in jobs in industrial areas.
On Roads
Noting that the current road bonding expires in 2025, Whitmer expressed her desire to work with the legislature to establish a new road funding plan. She emphasized her willingness to “work with anyone” to find bipartisan compromise and find new and fair sources of revenue. She also noted how companies rely on dependable infrastructure, and Michigan’s crumbling infrastructure can leave economic opportunities on the table.
On Strengthening U.S.-Canada Relations and Proposed New Tariffs
Whitmer also highlighted the economic importance of the Detroit-Windsor border, accounting for 25% of U.S.-Canada trade. She reaffirmed Michigan’s partnership with Ontario to support auto industry growth and supply chain stability.
Though she said she did not oppose all tariffs and believes in a “judicious approach that will protect supply chains and job creation here in Michigan,” Whitmer nevertheless warned against President-elect Trump’s “one-size-fits-all” trade proposals. She asserted that this approach posed significant potential harm to Michigan’s auto industry, especially as it relates to competitiveness with China and would jeopardize the vital trade relationship Michigan and the U.S. currently share with Canada.