In the last six years, Michigan has created more than 480,000 private-sector jobs. Although it is a positive result for Michigan residents, we must continue to help encourage job creation in our state and do what we can to help those creating opportunities here find the skilled workers they need to be successful.
As a border community, Southwest Michigan is interconnected with our neighbors in Indiana. Thousands of out-of-state residents drive to our state to work, and many Michigan residents hop across the state line to work in Indiana or Ohio.
While Michigan offers economic development assistance to help foster new investment and job creation in our state, the current requirements for these incentives often put the local towns and counties along Michigan’s borders at a huge disadvantage.
That is why I am working with Sen. Dale Zorn, who represents two Michigan counties along the Ohio state line, on legislation designed to help spur business investment in our border communities.
The Michigan Strategic Fund provides grants, loans and other economic assistance to businesses that make investments in Michigan or provide “qualified new jobs” in the state. Currently, a “qualified new job” means a job performed by an individual who is a Michigan resident.
Senate Bill 1085 would expand the definition of a “qualified new job” to include a job performed by a non-Michigan resident who is employed by a business that is located in a Michigan border county. The employee would also need to work at the Michigan location at least half of the year.
This is about recognizing the unique, synergistic quality of living and working in Michigan’s border areas while also promoting our local communities as the best place to do business and create jobs.

Sen. John Proos, R-St. Joseph, represents Southwest Michigan.