US Sec. of Transit LaHood says recent success of Bay City GM plant tied to ...

BAY CITY — After touring Bay City’s General Motors Powertrain plant Wednesday, U.S. Sec. of Transportation Ray LaHood said he’s going back to President Obama with a message that the federal bailout of the automaker worked.

“The investment that the president made with American tax dollars for American jobs has paid big dividends,” said LaHood, in a press conference at the Bay City plant, 1001 Woodside Ave.

“We wouldn’t all be here today if it hadn’t been for the decision of the president to invest in GM.”

LaHood’s visit to Michigan started by touring the Flint Engine Operations Plant, before coming to Bay City, where he met with factory workers on the plant floor who manufacture camshafts and connecting rods for the engines found in the Chevrolet Cruze, Volt and Sonic.

“Whenever someone like (LaHood) comes here, it’s always welcoming news for us, because it shows that we’re doing something right,” said Deanna McKay, a team leader at the plant. “When we were told that he was coming here to highlight the recent job creations, it gives us more hope that more jobs could be on the way.”

Since August 2009, GM has invested $154 million into the Bay City plant, which has added or retained 174 jobs. Those investments are tied to increased production of the Volt, Cruze and Sonic.

Despite recently purchasing a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu, LaHood touted the Cruze and Volt as “today’s vehicles.”

“It’s new technology, it’s a new vision and without that vision, GM wouldn’t be the company that it is today,” said LaHood.

“There was a time where American car manufacturers were making cars, that frankly, people didn’t want to buy. People want to buy the Volt, people want to buy the Cruze... because they know they are good products.”

A bailout that will have terrible consequences in the NEXT recession when secured lending capital flees every unionized business in Michigan right when they desperately need that capital the most.

In his approach to the bailouts, the President ignored Article 9 lending priorities, and he did it needlessly. They could have still had the bailouts without destroying the confidence of lenders in secured lending priorities.

But he didn't. In their arrogance, the Democrats thought the predictability given by enforceable contract rights unimportant to business and unimportant to the growth and maintenance of employment. And unimportant to the temporary transfer of capital from savers to producers. Even though Article 9 lending priorities may be the single most important reason why America became a wealthy country. It wasn't our resources. It wasn't that our people were any different. It was our system of laws and our respect for contract rights. That's the long and the short of it.

Teen jobs available, you just need to be prepared : News ...

It's tough to find a job in this economy. For teens, it's getting even more difficult.

With the recession bringing more retirees back into the workforce and adults taking jobs usually filled by teens, younger workers have stiff competition.

However, if they're prepared, they can still get a job.

At  CiCi's Pizza  in Grand Blanc, teens compete for work.

"I get probably five applications a day," says owner Jim Lyon.

That bombardment of resumes makes it tough for one to stick out, and there's no shortage of teens trying.

"I've just been around filling out job applications trying to get a job to help out my family," says 18-year-old Andrea Overton of Flint.

Turned down several times, teens are looking for any way in.

"It seems like in the job industry you have to have a certain connection to some managers or a friend that's already working," says 18-year-old Mured Hopkins of Flint.

That can be true.

Job experts say you never know when opportunity will come knocking and that presenting yourself positively can make the difference.

"Even as a teenager, you may not have that a robust resume, but you still have skills to present," says Alicia Booker of the   Career Alliance  in Flint. She suggests three P's to help teens get a job: be prepared with a compelling resume, be professional by dressing appropriately, and be in person. Employers would rather see you than receive your resume online.

"Online doesn't tell you a lot about a person, but when they come in, it means a lot," says Lyon.

For those dishearted, don't get depressed. Experts say there are more opportunities than last year, just be flexible.

Booker says, "Everything from fast food to retail, to manufacturing, to IT, to healthcare. across the board industry-wide, you're staring to see some growth."

The  Michigan Department of Technology, Management, and Budget  says of the available teen labor force, around 30.6% will be unemployed in 2011, which is better than the 35.0% in 2010.

Places like  Michigan Works  can help you get your resume in tip-top shape.

Experts say experience with church work, baby-sitting, and volunteering can be written well into a resume and presented professionally.

Mid-Michigan First, A Capital Choice for Future Growth

Latino community development in mid-Michigan cities

Angels of Potpourri Short Stories

Advancing Broadband

Two-Year Colleges 2010