By ALEXANDRIA

BOURNONVILLE

Journal Staff Writer

MARQUETTE — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently created a state department to assist vulnerable communities, businesses and workers in Michigan’s planned switch to clean energy.

The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s senior chief deputy director Johnathan Smith and policy director Kate Bell held their 12th community roundtable discussion around Michigan aimed at understanding the needs of specific populations through this process. The first 11 were in communities that either had a coal plant scheduled for decommission or where the auto sector had a significant presence.

“(The Legislature) created this office and gave it a mandate of looking out into the future, understanding the ways in which transitions in the economy that are going to come about as a result of the adoption of clean energy technology and tactics that will allow communities, workers and businesses not just to navigate those transitions but to really start planning now so that we can benefit from them,” Smith said.

Local representatives from several counties in the Upper Peninsula attended to share their thoughts. To assist in the replacement of less environmentally friendly technology, these entities often require additional funding from grants — something most don’t have the resources to take advantage of.

Others raised the issue of a complete lack of expectations. Smith pointed to one of LEO’s core aims: a “data-driven central source of truth” that would analyze unemployment rates, study likely economic scenarios and provide research on long-term risks and effective interventions.

He further discussed partnership opportunities, grant solutions and the importance of having a road map for the future of industry in the U.P.

More about LEO can be found at michigan.gov/economictransition. For feedback and questions, email leo/transitionoffice@michigan.gov.

Alexandria Bournonville can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 506. Her email address is abournonville@miningjournal.net.