"When we grow things and make things in Michigan, we create jobs in Michigan." -U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow

One of the foremost agriculture pioneers in Michigan was none other than Henry Ford, who grew up on a farm and experimented with ways that soy-based products could be used in automobiles. Thanks to Ford, farmers in Michigan started planting more soybeans to keep up with his demand and by the 1940's, there were two bushels of soybeans in every single Ford car- from the paint to the plastic gas pedals.

Fast forward to today and business leaders are once again building off the work of Henry Ford, uniting the two largest sectors of our economy-manufacturing and agriculture. Across our state, entrepreneurs are using new technologies to make things in Michigan with Michigan-grown products.

These innovators are substituting agriculture crops like soybeans and corn wheat for use in manufactured goods as alternatives to petroleum, reducing our dependence on foreign oil. Soybeans are in new electric cars rolling down the assembly line today. These bio-based products are not just for cars though. They are also cleaning products, soaps, insulation, plastics, and fabrics-products Americans buy every day.

Senator Stabenow is committed to supporting these Michigan innovators to spur new job growth.

Senator Stabenow's Grow It Here, Make It Here Initiative

Creates a new tax cut for Michigan companies that invest in new facilities or purchase equipment to manufacture bio-based products. Specifically, her initiative will allow companies to qualify for up to a 30% tax credit to help finance investments in new, expanded, or re-equipped bio-based manufacturing, creating new jobs. Only companies that manufacture these products in America will be eligible for this incentive.

Increases access to capital for bio-based manufacturers by expanding the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Biorefinery Loan Guarantee Program, so bio-based manufacturers have access to loans to help finance new operations or expand existing ones.

Strengthens the Biopreferred Program, which certifies and labels products so consumers can choose to purchase goods made of agriculture materials, and provides a preference for these products for government purchases. Her initiative also calls for greater accountability in the initiative, including auditing and compliance activities to ensure the integrity of the certified label. USDA's Biopreferred Program offers over 8,900 bio-based products, including 540 products made by 90 Michigan companies.

Spurs the commercialization of new agricultural innovations by streamlining and focusing resources to help new bio-based projects move from the development to the commercialization phase, also known as the "valley of death" since far too many good ideas do not make it out of this phase. Her initiative focuses the USDA's Biomass Research and Development Initiative on the commercialization of bio-based products-bridging this gap to help accelerate the bio-based industry.