Following Monday's announcement of 3,000 layoffs at Ford Motor Company, WWJ's Greg Bowman spoke with Quinton Messer of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
Messer assured Bowman that MEDC is making laid-off workers a top priority.
"Our focus is on the 3,000+ men and women whose families are impacted by this action," said Messer. "So we're working very closely with Ford to make sure that those men and women are connected to opportunities."
Messer is optimistic, saying that there are "a lot of Michigan companies who will gladly employ the talent that is now... in the process of transitioning from Ford."
Messer went on to explain how the continuing push for electric vehicles will affect Ford's development strategy moving forward.
According to Messer, at least a dozen states are likely to follow in the footsteps of California, whose Governor announced in 2020 that all new vehicles sold in the state would be zero-emission by 2035.
"It's going to necessitate more investment in that EV industry," Messer said, "so I think you're going to see a repositioning of assets within Ford."
Messer also discussed whether or not Ford will still receive tax breaks or other financial incentives following the layoffs.
"Our partners in the legislature agreed to potentially provide up to $100.8 million," said Messer. He went on to assure tax payers that Ford will not get a single dollar "until they perform" in the changing market.
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