Gov. Whitmer visits Niles, talks tariffs, economy, and more

NILES CHARTER TOWNSHIP, Mich.-- Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer made a rare visit to the Niles area Thursday, addressing the Greater Niles Chamber of Commerce with a fireside chat.

It's not an economic discussion in Michigan without talk of tariffs.

"Michigan has a unique economy," Whitmer said. "It is an economy that is the most vulnerable to the shockwaves that come from international policy around tariffs, and we're more sensitive to it than other states."

Whitmer was the keynote speaker for the chamber's 2025 "Chamber Pulse" luncheon.

The Trump Administration just this week bumped tariffs on imported aluminum and steel to 50 percent, a big deal to the Mitten State and its auto industry.

"So my question of course to all these economists is what can we do? I can't control what's coming out of the white house," Whitmer said. "he answers, and it was very helpful to hear, was investing in people, so skills. Making sure we are building infrastructure, so those damn roads, right?"

She talked about prioritizing workforce education, attraction, and retention.

"Every business, incumbent and, you know, domestic business in Michigan or those that are looking at coming to Michigan, it's the number one question and concern is having the talent to do the jobs," she said.

It was a message that resonated with local leaders, like Niles Mayor Nick Shelton.

"It's so important to develop the people that we have here, so they can join our workforce and continue to be involved in our community," Shelton said.

And Ryan Boeskool, executive director for the Greater Niles Chamber of Commerce.

"There's so much momentum happening in this community that we just encourage people who haven't been to come join us," he said. "And that's the fun of having someone like Governor Whitmer be here today, we're able to shine a light on some of the good projects happening here."

Jeff Rea, president & CEO of the Greater Niles Chamber of Commerce, led the fireside chat with the governor.

"Probably one of my favorite interviews I've done in a really long time. So, we're really paying attention to what's happening in the Michigan economy in particular," Rea said. "Business leaders are most worried about what's going on in the economy and the instability right now, and the view from Lansing, and what that means for them."

Whitmer also discussed the auto industry.

"We put the whole world on wheels," she said. "We still have, in the supply chain, from top to bottom, we still have all the critical pieces of the automotive industry. It's an industry that's changing rapidly, though."

She shared thoughts on some federal policies.

"Right now, I'm really worried about the potential of Medicaid cuts," Whitmer said.

And she gave an update on the Michigan Statehouse.

"We're six months in, and I just signed bill number five of this session," she said. "Now, I'm not suggesting that more bills is better for the state of Michigan, but there hasn't been a whole lot of collaboration yet with this new set of legislative leaders."

But overall, she says, Michigan is in a good place financially.

"We've paid down billions of debt. We've built a historic high for a rainy day fund, and even created one for education, too," Whitmer said. "So, our fiscal house is in order."

Mayor Shelton said he appreciated Whitmer's call for government participation.

"Her encouragement for people to run for different boards, to be involved in their cities, to be involved with their schools, resonates with me, because I, too, believe that is so important."

Governor Whitmer has 18 months left in office.

Over in Lansing, Michigan legislators are finalizing the budget, and that deadline is July 1, but there are concerns, shared by Whitmer, that the statehouse will blow past that deadline.