October 2014 

Who Will Continue Michigan's Turnaround?

We can all have a role in Michigan's turnaround! On November 4th, we will choose a Governor and legislative leaders to guide our state and support the Michigan Turnaround Plan (MTP). The MTP is a blueprint with real solutions to make MI a Top Ten state for jobs, incomes, and a healthy economy.

Thanks to Governor Snyder and our legislative leaders, much of the MTP has been addressed. State government finances are more stable. Changes to our tax system have reduced the burden for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Long-term debt has been reduced. Unnecessary regulations have been eliminated. Jobs, personal income and population are on the rise. But we still have work ahead to make MI a Top Ten state.

We examined the voting records and responses to our MTP questionnaire to determine candidate support for the MTP. Click here to see where the candidates stand on the Michigan Turnaround Plan. MI's turnaround has started. It's important we choose leaders who will keep our great state moving forward.

BLM & MEDC Host Supplier Summit: Connect MI's Largest Businesses with Local Suppliers

Today in Lansing, Business Leaders for Michigan (BLM) and the MEDC's Pure Michigan Business Connect office partnered on the largest Supplier Summit held to date with more than 1,400 attendees representing nearly 750 Michigan-based companies. "This event plays an important role in improving Michigan's economy and growing jobs and income by connecting businesses with Michigan-based suppliers able to meet their procurement needs. You always hear talk about what government can do to create jobs but this is something that business can do, and BLM member companies were eager to participate," said Doug Rothwell, BLM President.

The summit featured purchasing representatives from some of the largest businesses and universities in MI, all interested in keeping their supply chains local.  Launched in 2011, the Pure Michigan Business Connect program has the goal of encouraging MI businesses to support other MI businesses through purchasing and business support services. Since the program began, over 4,000 meetings have been arranged between purchasers and MI suppliers, generating millions of dollars in contracts. 

On the Road with Business Leaders for Michigan 

 Since the new Michigan Turnaround Plan was unveiled, BLM has been meeting with business and community leaders region-by-region to talk about the gains we've made as a state and how we collectively can work to make MI a Top Ten state for jobs and personal incomes.  Last month, we capped off our tour of the state in Grand Rapids and the Upper Peninsula. We'd like to extend a special thank you to our hosts of the 17 regional forums in Michigan, and to all who attended. 

Michigan business climate ranking improves

Detroit News| September 24, 2014

MI's overall economic competitiveness moved up nine spots to No. 30 among the 50 states, according to the results of a public policy study conducted by Northwood University, Rutgers University and Central Michigan University on behalf of the Michigan Chamber Foundation. The 2014 Michigan Economic Competitiveness Study also reveals that MI is the top-performing Great Lakes state, growing at an average rate of 2.56 percent during the last three years, better than the Great Lakes region rate of 2.07 and national rate of 1.97 percent. The 3-year-old study is designed to chart MI's performance against regional and national competitors.  Read more. . . 

MSU Joins effort to boost college grad rates 

Lansing State Journal | September 16, 2014

Michigan State University has been graduating more low-income students since starting a program three years ago to bring advisers, tutors, health care and other services into clusters of residence halls to integrate the "living and learning" experience. The East Lansing university will be sharing that program with other schools and getting ideas from them on how to improve graduation rates of low-income and first-generation college students through a new effort. Read more. . .

Signs point to job growth in Michigan's medical field 

USA Today | October 1, 2014

The healthiest part of Michigan's future job market appears to be in health. Nurses, medical secretaries, dental hygienists, paramedics and lab technicians top the list of occupations expected to grow in coming years in Michigan. Other technical jobs, especially in robotics and advanced manufacturing, also will be in demand, according to data compiled by Economic Modeling Specialists for USA TODAY. These jobs, which require education beyond high school but not necessarily a bachelor's degree, once formed the backbone of the middle class. They typically pay between $30,000 and $80,000 a year, not counting overtime. Read more. . .

The Changing Geography of the American Auto Industry

Area Development | September 2014

An ancient Greek philosopher once commented that there is nothing permanent except change. This is certainly true of the American auto industry, which has been transformed over the past three decades. The companies making vehicles in America changed, and the location of auto production also changed. Future change in the industry could impact its manufacturing geography once again. Read more. . .

Michigan Unemployment Drops To 7.4%

Michigan's unemployment rate dropped from 7.7 to 7.4% in August largely due to a decline in the labor force.  Michigan's rate remains the 5th highest nationally.

Annual Site Consultants Survey Results: Michigan #1 for Skilled Labor & Water

The annual survey conducted by Area Development magazine of senior site consultants regarding state business climates ranked Michigan #1 for having most availability of skilled labor and water.  Michigan, however, did not rank in the Top Ten in any other category and didn't crack the Top Ten overall.  All Top Ten states were in the South except for Indiana (#7) and Ohio (#9). Read more. . .

Largest Ten Year Increase in Federal R&D Funding: Michigan #6

The State Science and Technology Institute reports that Michigan had the 6th greatest increase in federally-supported research and development between FY02-12 - FY12 funding stands at $2.2 billion. Read more. . .

U.S. Competitiveness: 3rd Best Nation

Michigan wins when American competitiveness improves.  This year's rankings from the World Economic Forum place the U.S. as the 3rd best nation for economic competitiveness - ahead of all other highly industrialized nations.  America's standing on each metric is shown below. Read more. . .

Steelcase works to design health care's future

GRBJ.com | September 19, 2014

The world's best and brightest in medicine are plotting the future of health care from the comfort of Steelcase furniture. The Steelcase Health brand has once again designed, curated and furnished spaces for the TEDMED and Mayo Transform conferences. Read more. . .

Google's classroom donation tour reaches Detroit, funds 340 projects

MLive | September 24, 2014

Bunche Preparatory Academy was seeking $746 from individual online donors for robotics kits. Chrysler Elementary School was hoping to gather $391 for violins.  And they'll get them all, after Google swooped in and fully funded all Detroit-area classroom projects listed on the website, which helps teachers gather donations for supplies. Google's done the same for Pittsburgh, Boston, Los Angeles, Seattle, Kansas City, Austin and Washington D.C. Read more. . .

Business community 'impressed' by Detroit

Detroit News | September 19, 2014

Who says Chapter 9 bankruptcy is a municipal death sentence? Not 64 small business owners who graduated Thursday from the Goldman Sachs-backed 10,000 Small Businesses program, which aims to grow companies and create jobs in Detroit and neighboring localities by teaching practical business skills.  Read more. . .

Reuss: Education key to keeping MI at forefront of auto industry

MLive | September 23, 2014

How essential is the auto industry to MI's economy? General Motors executive vice president of global product development Mark Reuss threw out some numbers while giving a keynote address at the MICHauto summit, a conference showcasing MI's talent, innovation and supply chain in the auto industry. Reuss said MI has: 13 OEM assembly plants, more than any other state; 35 components and materials plants, more than any other state; 63 of the top automotive suppliers, more than any other state; 70 percent of North America's automotive engineering activity, and more automotive engineers than any other state.  Read more...