Almost every state in the nation is growing faster, causing economic hardship for Michigan residents and businesses. State leaders are looking to reverse the trend. If we can’t be Florida, can we at least be Indiana?
The state needs to up its economic development game to compete among states that are growing, Business Leaders for Michigan says. Doing so will require setting a long-term education and business development plan.
The state’s affordable housing, beautiful lakes and reproductive rights are some of the selling points Michigan may use in a new ad campaign hoping to convince young professionals to put down roots in the state.
Michigan is failing to attract young, skilled workers. We need a coordinated campaign, akin to Pure Michigan, that targets urban areas in states that are passing anti-women, anti-gay, pro-gun, anti-democratic legislation.
Census figures show that Michigan’s net loss to other states, particularly the Sun Belt, is continuing. Retirees and educated young people are first in line, but the rate of loss is slowing.
Public tech companies in major U.S. cities are shedding tens of thousands of jobs — just as Michigan firms need to fill similar positions. With tech leaders including Amazon, Microsoft and Salesforce retrenching, state business leaders say the time is right to move.
