More progress made toward Michigan's turnaround 

That's our assessment of the current legislative session.  As of this writing, the Legislature has adopted a structurally balanced budget, paid down debt, increased the size of the rainy day fund and further incentivized government service sharing.  In addition, the State has stopped cutting and started reinvesting based on performance in our state universities. 

While we'd like to see the State embrace a long-term goal of funding top performing universities at top levels nationally, this year's budget represents a significant step toward addressing the need to increase the number of college graduates by nearly 1 million over the next decade to fill projected job openings.  Additional steps that are needed to accelerate Michigan's turnaround include school employee retirement reforms and starting the phase-out of the personal property tax.  We congratulate Governor Snyder, Senate Majority Leader Richardville, House Speaker Jase Bolger and their legislative colleagues for a job well done. 

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BUILDING A NEW MICHIGAN

Business Leaders group: Don't wait for elected officials to lead on economic plan

Holland Sentinel | May 28, 2012

The head of a state-wide economic development group said Tuesday not to wait for elected officials to lead support for ideas to build the economy. Doug Rothwell, president and CEO of the Business Leaders for Michigan think tank, said that elected officials are likely to follow constituents. Read more. . .

Ambitious plan for a stronger Michigan: Business Leaders' vision is energizing

Lansing State Journal | May 11, 2012

After the negative attention Michigan has endured over the past decade of economic woes, it's refreshing to see a collection of business leaders who are enthusiastic about the state's future and determined to make sure its citizens are, too.

Business Leaders for Michigan, a roundtable of CEOs who lead some of the state's largest companies, first got attention in 2009 with their "Michigan Turnaround Plan" advocating government reforms they believed would make Michigan a better place to do business. Read more. . .

BLM INITIATIVES

Recap of Leadership Summit: Growing a Higher Education Marketplace

On May 7 in Lansing, BLM hosted its Leadership Summit: Growing a Higher Education Marketplace. The event brought together state and national higher education, economic and business leaders to talk about how to strengthen and grow Michigan's economy by leveraging its higher education system.  The event was well attended - with more than 350 business, community, civic and academic leaders participating from across the state.   Speakers contrasted Michigan with other states in terms of their investment in higher education and the role it has on their economies.

Click here to download materials from the summit.

Below you'll find additional articles on the importance of higher education:

• The New York Times: Do You Want the Good News First?

• WGVU Podcast: GVSU President Dr. Thomas Haas and Doug Rothwell Discuss Higher Education Funding

Winners of "My New Michigan" Sweepstakes Announced

Business Leaders for Michigan has announced the six winners of its New Michigan Sweepstakes, an online contest which attracted more than 100 submissions. Entrants were asked to share their ideas for what a New Michigan would look like to them. The winners were chosen at random and will share $1,000 in total prizes.

Business Leaders for Michigan applauds those selected in the online contest; thanks to all who entered for sharing their visions for a New Michigan. Read more. . .

SPOTLIGHT ON BLM MEMBERS

Sorber: Lansing-based Two Men and a Truck's reinvention spurs success

Lansing State Journal | May , 2012

I love Michigan! I grew up in the Lansing area, went to college in the Upper Peninsula, married a Yooper from Ironwood, vacationed in the Northern Lower Peninsula, joined business group YPO in Detroit and now, again, claim Lansing as home. As Johnny Cash once belted out, "I've Been Everywhere Man!" I have experienced Michigan. Read more. . . 

Economics Club of Grand Rapid's Business Person of the Year:  

James Hackett of Steelcase Inc. 

Bloomberg News | May 29, 2012

The Economics Club of Grand Rapids has named James Hackett, president and chief executive officer of Steelcase Inc. (NYSE:SCS), Business Person of the Year. The award was instituted to honor a leading executive from a leading and/or large employer in Grand Rapids who has made significant contributions for the betterment of the community and is individually recognized as an influential business leader. Read more. . . 

New challenge for Rush

Ford-driven interiors venture with Faurecia is next big test

Crain's Detroit Business | May 6, 2012

Andra Rush has a history of capitalizing on opportunities -- from growing a meager trucking company funded by personal credit cards into a $115 million operation to creating an interiors joint venture with Canadian supplier Magna International Inc.

But a new venture with French auto supplier Faurecia SA could be her biggest accomplishment -- and challenge -- yet. Read more. . . 

DATA SUPPORTING THE TURNAROUND PLAN

Another Triumph for Texas: Best/Worst States for Business 2012

ChiefExecutive.net | May 12, 2012

In Chief Executive's eighth annual survey of CEO opinion of Best and Worst States in which to do business, Texas easily clinched the No. 1 rank, the eighth successive time it has done so. California earns the dubious honor of being ranked dead last for the eighth consecutive year.

This year, 650 business leaders responded to our annual survey, up from 550 in 2011. CEOs were asked to grade states in which they do business among a variety of areas, including tax and regulation, quality of workforce and living environment. The Lone Star State was given high marks foremost for its business-friendly tax and regulatory environment. But its workforce quality, second only to Utah's, is also highly regarded. Read more. . .

Right In The Middle: The Midwest's Growth
Lessons For America 

An analysis in NewGeography shows how the Midwest is competing better and can grow even stronger in the future. The study identifies that the Midwest's future is rooted very much in its past-capitalizing on Americans' desire to reside where the cost of living and doing business is favorable and building on its strength in both brains and brawn. As the last Census showed, Americans move in droves to regions where the cost of living is low and businesses face fewer obstacles. The Midwest increasingly has these attractions.  Read more. . .

URC Benchmark study: Michigan research universities rank among nation's best for developing 21st century talent

Michigan's University Research Corridor (URC) institutions continue to competitively rank among the top research innovation clusters in the nation in producing the high-tech, high-demand talent required for the 21st century according to a recent benchmarking report. The annual report commissioned by the URC, shows the URC's member institutions - Michigan State University, the University of Michigan and Wayne State University -- remain competitive as research hubs and as economic engines when compared with university consortia across the U.S.  The reports compares the performance of the six best-known groups of universities in California (Northern and Southern), Illinois, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania against the URC.  Read more. . . 

Detroit Ranks #19 For High-Tech Job Growth

IN THE NEWS

Bill Ford Jr.: Michigan can lead fight against global gridlock

MLive | May 31, 2012

Michigan was once the center of innovation and it can be again when it comes to urban mobility, according to Ford Motor Co. Executive Chairman Bill Ford Jr.  Ford, great-grandson of the company's founder Henry Ford, said it won't be easy, but the state is poised to solve the inevitable problem of global gridlock. Read more . . .

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Tom Walsh: Comeback state? Still a long way to go for Michigan

Detroit Free Press | May 30, 2012

Automotive and housing recovery are inevitable, says Detroit-based Federal Reserve economist 

MLive | May 22, 2012

Armed with some 70 pages of graphs and charts, Paul Traub said he can only conclude that the auto industry and housing market are coming back strong.

"I see us getting back to 16 million vehicles (a year) in a couple of years," said Traub, a Detroit-based economist for the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, in his remarks to the CFA Society of West Michigan and World Affairs Council of Western Michigan Tuesday. Read more . . .