Gov. Granholm sees diversified Michigan economy as her legacy; says some benefits yet to come

Mich. governor sees diversified economy as legacy

LANSING, Mich. — Gov. Jennifer Granholm said Friday the legacy of her eight embattled years as governor will be a more diverse Michigan economy, although she acknowledges some of the benefits won’t be seen for years.

“I know that I won’t be able to cut the ribbon on the new economy that we are building the foundation for. But I hope people see at least that we are moving Michigan into entirely new ground,” she told the Michigan Public Radio Network on Friday. “It’s not anything that anyone could come in and wave a wand for and do overnight.”

The Democratic governor said she hopes the move to more businesses connected to alternative energy, homeland security and defense and biotechnology will allow the state to rebuild its shattered economy. Michigan has been in a slump for the past decade, and took an especially heavy hit last year as the domestic auto industry dramatically downsized.

The state unemployment rate of 14.1 percent is well above the national average.

“I know people don’t see the steps that I see or the planks of this new foundation that have been laid, because of course the unemployment rate is still so high,” Granholm said. “You’re not going to be able to see the full benefit of it by the time we leave office. … But I believe that will occur.”