BY RICK PLUTA
Capital Bureau Chief, Michigan Public Radio Network
DETROIT -- Gov. Rick Snyder sat in a Chevy Volt, stopped by the Ford and Prius pavilions, and visited with Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marccione as part of a Tuesday stroll through the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
The governor cheered the rebound in the auto industry from where it was at this time last year. Snyder said he does not want to play favorites when it comes to economic development, and that Michigan should make all entrepreneurs feel equally welcome. But the governor also said he recognizes how big the car business still looms in the state's economy.
"The role of manufacturing and the auto industry in Michigan's future is critical," Snyder said. "I don't walk away from it all. Actually, I embrace it. That is part of our heritage. That is something we have world-class people in."
Snyder said he wants to make Michigain a welcome place for all types of entrepreneurs.
"It is companies, it is innovators, it is entrepreneurs that are going to create the more and better jobs of our future, and our role as government to be a supporting player in that and to create the very best environment to make that happen," he said.
The governor said he will call for lower taxes and less regulation and will reveal more details of his economic plan next week when he delivers his first State of the State address.
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