From Senator Zorn’s office

Although Michigan has created more than 480,000 private-sector jobs during the last six years, we must continue to help encourage creating new jobs in our state. While the state offers economic development assistance to help foster job creation, the requirements for these incentives put Michigan’s border towns and counties at a huge disadvantage.

That is why the Senate approved Senate Bill 1085 to help our border communities attract investment and assist expansion of current businesses in these counties that may have some employees who live across the border. The bill would expand the definition of a “qualified new job” used in Michigan’s economic assistance programs include a job performed by a non-resident for a business located in a Michigan border county.

Many Michigan residents live here and work in Ohio and vice versa. This is about fairness and helping our local economies. Businesses in Michigan that want to invest, expand and create jobs in our state should be encouraged — not punished if some of their employees choose to live on the other side of the state line.

Please feel free to contact my office by email at SenDZorn@senate.michigan.gov or call us at 517-373-3543.