By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network
East Lansing, MI – East Lansing, MI (MPRN) - Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network
President Obama's point man on helping communities struggling through the downturn in the auto industry was in Lansing Wednesday.
Ed Montgomery met for several hours with Governor Granholm and her economic team.
This was Ed Montgomery's first visit to a state heavily dependent on the car business since he was named to the job Monday.
But he's not completely new to Michigan.
Montgomery's an economist who spent five years at Michigan State University.
He says his wife's family is from here and includes many auto workers.
Montgomery warned against counting on quick fixes to Michigan's troubles.
Montgomery says his first job is making sure displaced workers get income assistance, health insurance, and job training.
He says after that, the goal is to find ways to help build the industries that will replace lost automotive jobs.