5/30/14 - Livingston County is included in the region selected for a federal manufacturing stimulus program. There are 12 regions in the country that have received the Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership designation from the Department of Commerce. Livingston County is included in Michiganâs designation, which is a 13-couny region covering the automotive and manufacturing center of the state from Lansing to Detroit. 12-nationally designated communities will have access to $1.2 (B) billion in federal funding from at least 16 federal departments looking to support the growth of manufacturing jobs and related prosperity. Director Bill Sleight of the Michigan Works! Livingston Service Center says the designation should help the region grow its manufacturing industry. He tells WHMI the research aspect will focus on some of the innovations in the automotive industry, which will really impact a number of other industries as well. Sleight says the designation doesnât award any funds right now but qualifies the regions to get priority for more than $1 (B) billion worth of federal aid once the grant opportunities and awards are announced over the next couple of years. Sleight says heâs hopeful the designation will result in a significant amount of money being invested in the region and Livingston County. He added that they expect later this year, possibly this summer, there will be a grant award to announce as a result of this designation. (JM)
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