Updates About Jobs

Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently delivered her latest “Road Ahead” address in Flint, where she outlined a bold plan to position Michigan as a national leader in semiconductor manufacturing. With the critical role that chips play in everything from smartphones to national defense systems, this industry offers a long-term source of stability for Michigan’s economy.

Components of her plan include securing a semiconductor fabrication facility, commonly referred to as a “fab,” by the end of her term, and investing in skilled, lucrative jobs for Michiganders. Through these efforts, she hopes to attract other large manufacturing projects and eventually establish a complete semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem within the state. With existing investments from companies like SK Siltron and Hemlock Semiconductor already contributing to the state’s chip supply chain, the Governor sees a unique opportunity for Michigan to become a central hub in this high-tech sector.

Michigan’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate inched up to 5.4% this February, a 0.1 percentage point increase from January, according to the Department of Technology, Management, and Budget (DTMB). While total employment grew by 2,000 jobs, the number of unemployed individuals rose by 6,000, contributing to the uptick. The state’s labor force and payroll jobs have expanded in early 2025, with manufacturing adding 7,000 jobs after months of decline. However, private education, health services, and leisure and hospitality sectors each saw job losses of around 3,000. Michigan’s unemployment rate remains above the national average of 4.1%.

Governor Whitmer has signed two bipartisan bills aimed at supporting Michigan’s workforce by expanding paid sick leave and increasing our state’s minimum wage. Senate Bill 8 gradually raises the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2027, giving small businesses time to adjust to the pay increase for over 730,000 Michigan employees. Following 2027, the minimum wage will continue to rise based on inflation. It also increases the tipped wage credit over time to align more closely with wages in our neighboring states.

The second bipartisan bill—House Bill 4002— expands paid sick leave policies, allowing employees to use earned time off for medical appointments, illness, or caregiving without being required to find their own replacement. Both bills were crafted through bipartisan collaboration to balance worker protections with business sustainability, reinforcing Michigan’s commitment to a strong and competitive workforce.

Related Article: SENATE PASSES TIPPED MINIMUM WAGE BILL WITH CAUCUS RESISTANCE