Gov. Whitmer recently met with leaders at the White House to address the nationwide chip shortage. | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer/Facebook
Gov. Whitmer recently met with leaders at the White House to address the nationwide chip shortage. | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer/Facebook
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-Mich.) recently joined public and private economic leaders, including Pres. Joe Biden, to push for backing of the CHIPS Act.
The governor’s office reported in a press release that the CHIPS Act would facilitate economic developments in the state by enhancing chip manufacturing and research. This will aid auto companies in making the car-production process more efficient, along with enticing companies to invest in Michigan’s auto sector.
Semiconductor chips are critical components in everyday products. The pandemic has exposed supply chain vulnerabilities that have affected multiple industries, from electronics to automobiles, according to the release.
"The CHIPS Act would boost domestic chip manufacturing and research, spur innovation, and help manufacturers avoid costly delays," Whitmer said in the release. "It would create thousands of high-skill, good-paying jobs and show businesses that the United States is the place to build the future. It would lower costs for American families by breaking up delays in our supply chain. This is game-changing, bipartisan legislation that will make a real difference in people's lives if we get it done. It's the kind of bill that can set us up for decades of economic success."
The governor’s office reported that the chip shortage often halted production, and in some instances forced plants to close. This affected 575,000 car-related jobs in the country, with an estimated 2.2 million vehicles not manufactured, accounting for over 3,000 working days in 2021.
The current chip shortage production would mean that workers might continue to be impacted due to supply chain issues, along with consumers paying higher prices for a lesser array of goods, according to the release.
"A strong and reliable supply of semiconductors is good for America's workers, economy, and automotive industry," an Alliance for Automotive Innovation spokesperson said.
Ramping up domestic chip production will alleviate the chip shortage, create jobs, and enhance the economy, the governor’s office said.
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