Gaylord/Otsego County Chamber of Commerce

Government Relations Update from Jamie Callahan

April 14, 2008

Senate Returns to Session this Week

The Senate returns this week after a two week break.The chamber will be in full swing with committee meetings discussing budgets, ORV use, economic development, as well as finishing up the tourism promotion funding legislation.Both chambers are now back in session until approximately July 4^th.

Distilling Bill Passes House

Legislation designed to jumpstart Michigan’s distilling industry has been introduced with the hope of spurring new economic activity and creating additional agri-tourism jobs in an industry in its infancy. The bill would create a new type of license that allows distilleries that manufacture less than 60,000 proof gallons a year to sell their products on-site and allow tastings at the distillery.

There are currently only a handful of stand alone distilleries in the state, with any remaining distilling happening at wineries in the form of fruit based spirits.HB 5925 passed the House unanimously and will be assigned to a Senate committee this week.The bill and analysis can be viewed at www.mileg.org.

21^stCentury Job Fund Applications Available

The State of Michigan is accepting applications for the next round of grants from the 21^st Century Jobs Fund.Awards will again be granted to companies in the life sciences, alternative energy, advanced automotive and homeland security fields.The state will grant up to $30 million to applicants in this round.