FLINT, MI -- Officials for the city of Flint say they expect the local economic fallout of a federal manufacturing designation will be 100-plus new jobs annually.

The Obama administration announced Wednesday, May 28, that Southeastern Michigan, including Genesee and 12 other counties, will be one of the first regions to participate in a new program that aims to invest a total of $1.3 billion to spur manufacturing jobs and private investments in the U.S.

Southeastern Michigan, according to a White House press release, is one of the first 12 areas that will be designated a "Manufacturing Community" as part of the administration's "Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership" program.

"The funding amount for each region is yet to be determined and the Flint area specifically will benefit directly from only a portion of those funds awarded to Michigan, however the potential estimated impact is more than 100 jobs per year for the Flint area once the programs are underway," a news release from the offices of Mayor Dayne Walling and Emergency Manager Darnell Earley says. "The funds are expected to leverage additional private investment, which will multiply the effect."

The 13-county partnership, called the Advance Michigan initiative, will focus on "innovations that support increased efficiency and enhanced safety in the automotive and mobility sector," including advanced powertrain and propulsion systems, lightweight and multi-material vehicles and connected and automated vehicle technologies, according to Flint's news release.

"We deserve this designation because Flint continues to one of the leading global centers of advanced manufacturing and innovation," Walling said in a statement. "The additional resources will assist us in implementing our master plan and growing our economy in the 21st century."

U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Flint Twp., issued a statement calling the designation "great news for Michigan," making the region better able to leverage federal funds.

"Investing in advanced manufacturing and workforce training programs will help better position our state to attract both new businesses as well as talented workers," Kildee's statement says.

"I applaud our community partners who helped make this designation happen, including Mott Community College, the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce, the I-69 International Trade Corridor Next Michigan Development Corporation and the city of Flint. Our community will greatly benefit from this new coordinated federal assistance to support our regional economy."