MEDIA ADVISORY

Alternative fuel:
Gov. Granholm proposes using $100 million in private/public incentives over three years to lure alternative-energy companies to Michigan. She will ask the Legislature to set goals for our state, so that within eight years, a minimum of 10 percent of our energy will come from renewable sources. By 2008, the goal is that 1,000 ethanol and bio-diesel pumps will be available at gas stations across the state. How realistic are these goals? What’s the current status of biofuels research in Michigan? Experts from the College of Engineering are prepared to discuss this topic. Professor Naeim Henein, director of Wayne State University’s Center for Automotive Research has devoted years of research to alternate and renewable fuels, biofuels and fuel economy. Professor Ming-Chia Lai has distinguished himself in the fields of Fuel Cells, Combustion and Energy Conversion, to name a few. Professor Steven Salley is prepared to examine biochemical engineering as it pertains to alternative fuels. Contact Naeim Henein at 313-577-3887, Ming-Chia Lai at 313-577-3893, and Steven Salley at 313-577-5216.

K-12 Education:
Education for Michigan’s children was a major point expressed in Gov. Granholm’s address. Among examples presented were:
• MEAP Scores - Granholm praised Michigan’s new curriculum implemented two years ago for K-8 schools –citing the recent improved MEAP scores.
• Kindergarten required for all kids - New funding to school districts will be provided to offer a full day of pre-school - affecting some 26,000 four-year-olds.
• At-risk kids – Changing Michigan’s law to require school enrollment for all students to age 18, instead of the current 16. Granholm also said the first of a series of new high schools will be opened this fall that will allow students to earn in five years both a high school diploma and a community college degree, preparing them to fill job vacancies in the health care industry.
Paula Wood, College of Education dean, has a national reputation as a leader in the field of education and training tomorrow’s educators. Contact Paula Wood at 313-577-1625.

Vibrant Cities:
Another piece of Gov. Granholm’s economic plan is an effort to revitalize Michigan’s cities. Legislation will be proposed to establish “Promise Zones” that will help Michigan’s distressed communities create public-private partnerships to replicate the Kalamazoo Promise. The College Graduate Homeownership program is using low-interest mortgages and down-payment assistance as an incentive for new graduates to locate in the major urban areas. MSHDA, Michigan’s housing arm, has agreed to tear down 5,000 blighted homes that make the neighborhoods in these cities unsafe. This year’s proposed budget will increase hiring of police officers and firefighters in cities – all in an effort to strengthen our cities. Robin Boyle, professor of urban planning, is an expert on urban economic development, schools and community planning. Contact Robin Boyle at 313-577-8711.

Nursing Shortage:
Gov. Granholm pointed out the need to address the state’s nursing shortage and unveiled the Michigan Nursing Corps program, an initiative to train new nurses. The plan provides for 500 nursing educators to train 3,000 new nurses in just three year. Barbara K. Redman, dean of the College of Nursing, is prepared to discuss the nursing shortage issue and possible remedies. Contact Barbara Redman at 313-577-8605.

College affordability:
Gov. Granholm is offering state incentives to match private money to help high school graduates in economically distressed districts pay for college.
For unemployed workers who want to learn the skills needed to fill high-demand jobs, a one-time offer is proposed to provide free community college tuition during the next three years. There are 84,000 job vacancies in Michigan today. There are more than 100,000 Michigan workers who will be eligible to participate in this program, to be funded through existing state and federal workforce development dollars. Contact an expert at 313-577-2150.