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VIEWPOINT


September 2014 

Just ahead: The 2014 Michigan CEO Summit

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If you're not already registered for this year's Michigan CEO Summit at the Westin Book Cadillac in Detroit, you'll want to be sure to sign up soon.  Our agenda is action-packed with speakers and topics that will not only help our state continue its turnaround, but also support new ideas for innovation and collaboration in your own daily work.

 

Don't miss Peter Diamandis.  Named by Fortune Magazine as one of "The World's 50 Greatest Leaders," the XPRIZE chairman and CEO delivers this year's keynote following a half-day of fast-paced panel discussions and networking.  This year's sessions include discussions about keeping Michigan on the leading edge of global competition and innovation. You'll also learn how successful entrepreneurs maintain their edge, how to effectively launch new start-ups, and how to keep your business competitive in the long term.

 

There's a lot to explore, click here to learn more and register!

  
November 13, 2014 |  The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit

 8:00 - 3:00 p.m. | Admission $125

    OUR WORK


"Made in Michigan" takes on a new meaning at the Michigan Matchmaking Supplier Summit

 

Business Leaders for Michigan (BLM) and Michigan Economic Development Corporation's Pure Michigan Business Connect office are partnering on an invitation-only supplier summit to be held on October 8 in Lansing. The goal of the event is to help businesses and universities identify Michigan-based suppliers to meet their procurement needs. The summit will feature purchasing representatives and subject matter experts from some of the largest and most influential businesses and universities in Michigan, all of which are interested in keeping their supply chains local. Read more. . .

"Michigan Ambassador Program" Heads To Washington D.C.

 

Business Leaders for Michigan (BLM), the state's business roundtable, took leading corporate executives to Washington D.C. to meet with Michigan "alumni" to talk about Michigan's reestablished position as a leading location for business development and expansion. Governor Rick Snyder joined executives in emphasizing the state's progress on key factors that lead to economic expansion. Read more. . .

    ADVANCING THE MICHIGAN TURNAROUND PLAN & THE NEW MICHIGAN STRATEGY



Michigan is turning around.  Jobs, income and GDP are on the rise.   The 2014 Michigan Turnaround Plan reflects the significant progress that has been made in making Michigan more competitive.  It identifies areas where we can compete, invest and grow in order to make our state stronger for generations to come.

 

GROW: Establish MI as a hub of innovation and as a thriving, welcoming state


Our view:  Michigan must cultivate its strongest assets to ensure lasting prosperity and position itself as a welcoming place for all. From our core cities to our abundant human, technological, and natural resources, we can make the most of what we do best to grow a brighter future for our state. 

Detroit Keeps Making Headlines!

 

It seems that everywhere you look, folks are talking about Detroit's revitalization efforts. From our local media to Time Magazine to Delta's Sky Magazine, people are keeping a sharp eye on the progress being made to turn around our state's largest city.  For a taste of what is going on in Detroit and who is invested in its success, please visit the links below. 


Time Magazine: Detroit: America's Emerging Market

Delta's Sky Magazine: Game On, Detroit! 

WZZM: Business Leaders say healthy Detroit needed for entire state's health

Bridge: Every day Detroit is improving, and the signs are everywhere

DATA SUPPORTING THE TURNAROUND PLAN


Michigan Cost of Living: 6% Lower Than U.S. Average

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The Tax Foundation shows the relative cost of living by state on the map below.  This is useful in calculating the relative cost of doing business in different states.  While Michigan ranks 6% less expensive than the U.S. average, we remain as much as 6% more expensive than states we typically compete against for jobs - the southeastern and south central states.  Read more. . .

 


 

Michigan Metro Post-Recession Recovery

 

WalletHub identified how well the top 150 metros have recovered the most and least since the peak of the Great Recession.  Detroit ranked 145th and Grand Rapids 69th.  The methodology can be found here.  Read more. . .

 

Michigan economic growth outpacing nation since 2010, with 

2 percent rise in 2013

 

A new report from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis says Michigan's economy has continued its steady recovery from the Great Recession, growing 2 percent in 2013 and staging a faster comeback than the nation as a whole over a four-year span. The nation's gross domestic product grew 1.8 percent last year. It says Michigan's 2 percent economic growth rate was ahead of the five-state Great Lakes region as a whole, where it rose 1.6 percent.  Read more. . .

 

 

Michigan farm markets among Top 3 in the U.S. 

 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service, released the rankings for top farm markets. The top three states are California, New York and Michigan. They are followed by Ohio, Illinois, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. The rankings now list more than 8,200 farm markets nationwide. Read more. . .

SPOTLIGHT ON OUR MEMBERS


GM to invest $174M in Lansing

Crain's Detroit Business | August 14, 2014 

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General Motors Co. is investing $174 million in a new stamping line at its Grand River assembly plant in Lansing. The operation - set to open in 2016 - will produce stamping components for the Cadillac ATS and CTS. As production of the Chevrolet Camaro moves from GM's Oshawa, Ontario, plant to the Lansing plant starting with the 2015 model year, the new stamping operation also will produce components for the popular muscle car, a GM spokesperson said Wednesday.GM has invested more than $530 million in the Lansing factory since 2009. The new stamping line will employ about 145 full-time workers. Read more. . .

American Axle to build advanced technology center in Detroit

Detroit News | August 4, 2014

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American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc. will build a $15 million-$20 million advanced technology center on its Detroit campus. Speaking at a Monday session at the Center for Automotive Research's annual Management Briefing Seminars near Traverse City, President and CEO David Dauch said the new center will break ground this fall and take two to three years to build. It will add 75-100 engineering and manufacturing jobs.  Read more. . .

Consumers Energy hires 200 employees to meet energy demand from Michigan's home construction industry

MLive.com | August 4, 2014

 

Consumers Energy hired 200 employees this year to keep up with the growing demand for utility services as Michigan's new home construction sees a rebound. Nearly 16,000 homes are expected to be built this year - up from 6,200 in 2009 - and Consumers Energy is working with the Home Builders Association of Michigan to make sure these homes get connected to electric and natural gas services in a timely manner, company officials say.  Read more. . .

Meijer to hire 4,800 seasonal, part-time workers in Michigan this fall

MLive.com | August 4, 2014

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Meijer Inc. plans to hire about 10,000 workers for its Midwest stores -including about 4,800 workers in Michigan -this fall. The hiring will help the stores prepare for their fall and holiday retail seasons, said Janet Emerson, executive vice president of operations for the Walker, Mich.-based retailer. Most of the positions will be seasonal and part time; all 213 stores will have positions to fill, according to the news release. Jobs include cashiers, stockers, meat cutters and cake decorators..   Read more. . .

IN THE NEWS. . .


State policy leaders seek to make college more affordable to grow jobs

MLive.com | August 18, 2014

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Higher education is a critical element to fueling Michigan's economy. Universities account for a growing share of the research and development conducted in the state that fuels the growth of start-up companies and attracts new businesses. Today, Michigan's public universities account for over six percent of the total state economy and have the potential to create nearly 40,000 additional jobs in the next decade. Additionally, date supports higher learning boosts lifetime earning potential. Read more. . .

Additional Resources

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BLM Contact Info 

Business Leaders for Michigan 
600 Renaissance Center, 
Suite 1760, Detroit, MI, 48243-1802

Phone: 313.259.5400
E-Mail:  [email protected]

About Us

 

Business Leaders for Michigan, the state's business roundtable, is dedicated to making Michigan a "Top Ten" state for jobs, personal income and a healthy economy. The organization is comprised of the chairpersons, chief executive officers, or most senior executives of Michigan's largest companies and universities.  Our members drive over 25% of the state's economy, provide over 325,000 direct and 820,000 indirect jobs in Michigan, generate over $1 Trillion in annual revenue and serve nearly one half of all Michigan public university students. Find out more at: www.businessleadersformichigan.com