GM To Invest Over $300 Million In Flint Michigan Silverado Factory

Everyone understands how hard the effects of the economy have been on the folks from Michigan. The areas of Detroit, and Flint have seen huge amounts of people lose their jobs, and some be forced to take extreme measures to make ends meet. It’s a sad story, what once was a thriving area rich with automotive factory employment opportunities is now a struggling area that is seeing a mass exodus of people who are being forced to leave the state to find work. According to a recent USA Today story, “Detroit’s population plunged 25% in the past decade to 713,777, the lowest count since 1910.” It went on to say that Michigan was the only state in America in the years between 2000-2010, that didn’t see an increase in population. “the city (Detroit) lost, on average, one resident every 22 minutes between 2000 and 2010.”

So that’s the bad news, but it would seem that automakers are trying to do something about it. Take for instance what GM is doing for the town an hour north of Detroit, of Flint.

GM announced recently its plans to invest $328 Million dollars into the Flint Michigan Silverado factory. This will provide the factory with upgrades and more jobs for the people of Flint. According to The Wall Street Journal, The investment is part of $2 billion GM is spending to create or retain 4,000 jobs in eight states over the next 18 months.”

“This investment will allow us to continue building award-winning full-size pickups that offer better fuel efficiency than ever before without sacrificing features and functionality,” said Cathy Clegg, GM vice president of Labor Relations.

We know it’s not huge, but 4,000 jobs is a step in the right direction. We have to applaud GM for taking this step and investing in its American plants. Plans for the remainder of the $2 Billion is still taking effect. But workers in the GM plants in the Midwest can expect to see some of that funding head their way.