Can we get this guy to run for governor?
Over the past decade, one-third of the manufacturing workforce in the U.S. - 5.5 million jobs - have vanished.
(Dow CEO Andrew) Liveris says creating manufacturing jobs must be America's priority. After President John F. Kennedy said, "We go to the moon," Liveris says, "it actually created whole new industries because of a national mission. I think we need a national mission."
A mission could help the entire economy take off. For every $1.00 in sales generated from manufacturing, another $1.40 is created for the businesses that support it.
"Since when did making stuff become a bad thing?" Liveris asks. This past year, Michigan has created more than 30,000 new manufacturing jobs - more than any other state. To make solar shingles over the next four years, Dow expects to hire 1,300 workers with starting salaries of $30,000.
"It's jobs where workers from displaced industries can be retooled and retrained," Liveris says. "We not only can do it. We are doing it."
Good thing we still have some people with vision in this state. Keep your fingers crossed that we can overcome the idiocy of our elected officials who are content to sit back and wait for the trickle-down magic to kick in while the rest of the world passes us by.
Thank you Dow. Now go clean up the river, and everyone will be happy.