Overview:

-Inflation Reduction Act dollars are helping America build again, writes Dr. Anne Evens, CEO of the nonprofit Elevate.
-Cities like Benton Harbor may be forced to reverse building upgrades, energy efficiency projects, and job opportunities, Evens says.
-"If Washington dismantles the IRA, it won’t just slow our progress, it will send a message that America is willing to cede leadership in energy innovation to other nations."

Every day in Michigan, small business owners, farmers, and working families wake up to the pressures of rising costs, economic uncertainty, and an increasingly unpredictable market.

These challenges require steady leadership and smart decisions. Unfortunately, the federal budget signed July 4 by the current administration threatens to move us in the wrong direction while cutting off access to economic opportunity for countless Americans.  

Among the most concerning elements is the undoing of many pillars of the Inflation Reduction Act. The IRA, passed in 2022, has proven itself as an invaluable investment to grow the economy, create jobs, and strengthen American energy independence. Rolling it back now risks undoing the very progress communities across Michigan are beginning to see. 

The IRA is helping America build again. With a focus on expanding clean energy manufacturing and lowering energy costs for families, it has spurred new investments in solar, renewable energy, and battery production. Across the Midwest, companies have announced new facilities and thousands of good-paying jobs tied to these forward-thinking investments. This isn’t just good policy, it’s driving a new era of American economic growth we can’t afford to walk away from. 

Michiganders are no strangers to the power of innovation. The automotive industry giants here built the cars that put the world on wheels, moved our nation forward, and defined a century of progress. Even in this moment, Michigan is looking toward the future, leading the charge into a new era of American-made innovation that has transformed the way we work and live. 

Now, this vital program is at risk. Disinvested cities like Benton Harbor may now be forced to reverse their progress upgrading buildings in disrepair, lowering energy costs, and creating job opportunities due to rescinded IRA grants. This decision is killing the resilient aspirations of the city, threatening to hamper America’s job growth, and our local economies.

Repealing the IRA will impact many more communities beyond Benton Harbor.  

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At the same time, we’re also facing more frequent and severe weather events. From floods to droughts, these challenges are placing a strain on everything from agriculture to infrastructure. If Washington dismantles the IRA, it won’t just slow our progress, it will send a message that America is willing to cede leadership in energy innovation to other nations. That’s not the future we should accept. 

This moment calls for pragmatic leadership. Congress needs to build on what’s working, supporting American industry, investing in homegrown energy, and creating jobs that can’t be outsourced. 

Let’s keep Michigan and the country on a path towards progress. It’s time to protect the investments that help us all grow stronger in prosperity.   

Planet Detroit’s Voices column includes opinion pieces from our community of partners and readers. These pieces express the voices of the authors and not necessarily those of the publication.