TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP): An organization representing the eight states and two Canadian provinces in the Great Lakes region is teaming with former U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson in an effort to attract foreign manufacturing investment.

The Council of Great Lakes Governors announced the initiative during a meeting in Chicago.

Paulson says many emerging economies such as China's are beginning to seek direct investment opportunities. The Great Lakes governors say they'll step up efforts to steer those investments into the U.S. manufacturing heartland.

The governors' council and the Paulson Institute are planning a “competitiveness forum'' this summer in Detroit, led by Paulson and Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder.

The partnership also will develop strategies for matching investors with opportunities, and for linking the region's research and development to foreign markets.