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Support for “Buy Michigan” Legislation Grows as Genesee County

Joins Coalition by Passing Resolution
Michigan’s 5th Largest County Calls for Passage of Crucial “Buy Michigan” Bills

GENESEE COUNTY, MI (December 1, 2022) Genesee County Commission passed a resolution

calling on State Legislators to support Michigan businesses by approving HB 4902 and SB 117,
commonly known as “Buy Michigan.” As counties and city councils from around the state
emphasize the need for curbing costs on Michigan residents, this crucial legislation has never been
more relevant. In late October, Genesee County joined the Detroit City Council, Wayne County
Commission, Oakland County Commission, and Macomb County Commission in passing
resolutions supporting “Buy Michigan.” Introduced in February 2021 by Senate Minority Leader
Jim Ananich (D-Flint) and Chair of the House Judiciary Committee State Representative Graham
Filler (R-Dewitt), these bills seek to help Michigan headquartered businesses successfully procure
contracts with the State of Michigan.

“Residents across my district are continually asking me what I can do about inflation,” said
Genesee County Commissioner Bryant Nolden. “While the County Commission is limited in its
ability to curb the costs of goods and services, we can ask the state to do everything in their power
to cut costs for families. Which is why I support this resolution and why we passed it.”

Sen. Ananich is also encouraging his colleagues to give “Buy Michigan” a chance. “Creating good
paying jobs right here in Michigan has always been one of my top priorities,” stated Sen. Ananich.
“To do that, we must support Michigan’s businesses and help them grow. That’s what “Buy
Michigan” is all about, because when Michigan businesses do well, Michigan families do well.”

Business, labor organizations and affiliated organizations supporting these bills include AFSCME,
the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, the Small Business Association of Michigan, and the
Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber of Commerce. This broad-based coalition all understand
the net-positive impact passing this legislation would have on Michigan headquartered companies
as it would give them access to an additional seven-day window to resubmit a bid for a state
contract if the lowest bidder on the contract is an out of state company. If the Michigan-based
company re-bids, and that bid is lower than the out-of-state company’s original bid, then the
Michigan company would be awarded the contract.
● This crucial preference will give Michigan companies an opportunity to grow their
businesses which, in turn, will create more jobs right here at home.
● The State of Michigan would benefit by getting quality goods and services at the best
possible price. “Buy Michigan” would be an added tool to retain more tax dollars within
our state, invest in Michigan headquartered and operated companies, and spotlight
companies that may have traditionally been overlooked.
● This legislation would prioritize those dollars going to Michigan based companies, it
gives companies an added incentive to submit bids for state contracts and a higher
probability of these companies being successful bids for the delivery of goods and services
while safeguarding the existing “responsive and responsible best value bidder” standards
set by the DTMB.
● This means more money to more Michigan companies. Small, medium, and large
companies support this commonsense policy recommendation and legislation that will
favor Michigan companies over out-of-state companies.