Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer travelled to West Michigan Monday, for the official groundbreaking of Speedrack Products’ new flagship manufacturing facility.Maker of pallet racking and storage products, officials say Speekrack’s new facility includes a capital investment of $65 million and will create 160 new jobs to the area.
The groundbreaking however, comes at a time when a number of manufacturing companies across Michigan lack enough skilled trade workers to meet demand, as many have been laid off or furloughed due to the pandemic.
Governor. Whitmer said one challenge is making the return to work particularly tough on some.
“Obviously, the child care issue is real for a lot of workers, and if the legislature would start moving on that front, I think that would level another barrier that is keeping people out of the work force.”
As an incentive to return to the workforce, last week Governor Whitmer proposed a “work share” program that would extend $300 unemployment benefits through September after people are employed--however the GOP controlled House rejected the idea.
Meanwhile, Speedrack’s new facility will operate in Walker, a city Northwest of Grand Rapids.