BUDGETING WITH AN EYE TO THE FUTURE
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Michigan's economy will be strengthened if the critical investments outlined the Governor's Fiscal Fiscal 2017 budget recommendations are adopted. 
Among the most important are the increased investments in job training and higher education. In a high-tech world where the tools of prosperity are constantly evolving, we know a high school diploma is no longer enough to prepare the workers of tomorrow. Business Leaders for Michigan's policy priorities are aimed at building a New Michigan economy and these investments are critical to helping us attract and retain the jobs we need.
We look forward to a robust discussion of these and other issues in the weeks and months ahead, and we need your voice. Please make sure your lawmakers know you support increasing funding for job training and higher education.
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When buying a car, you look for the best deal you can find. You want a great car for a good price. If one comes with a rebate or is on sale, that will often influence your final decision.
The same is true in business. Businesses want a location that gives them a good return on their investment. So when their choice narrows down to a few potential locations with similar tax climates or available talent, financial incentives can make a critical difference.
MI's done a great job improving our "product." We offer better services at a more competitive cost than we used to, so more businesses are now considering MI as a place to locate. But unlike other states, we don't have the financial incentives to tip the decision in our favor, especially for larger projects that get courted by many states.
Some would say offering a good product at a competitive price should be enough to close the sale. But that's necessary just to compete these days. Ask any businessperson and they'll tell you they're under constant pressure from their competitors to offer a better deal. It's the same when trying to attract new jobs. All other things being equal, the place that offers the better deal is going to win the most new business.
If we are serious about bringing more good paying jobs in MI, it's time to up our game.
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2016 Plan for Building A New Michigan
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Last month, BLM unveiled its agenda for continuing MI's progress toward
 more jobs, higher incomes, and a healthy economy. The organization's Building a New Michigan plan is a fact-based roadmap to help MI become a "Top Ten" economic competitor by 2020. The plan lays out the steps for aggressively competing and winning investment and good paying jobs.
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EFFORTS UNDERWAY TO BUILD A NEW MICHIGAN
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Michigan State is King of Supply Chain Talent
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Forbes | February 12, 2016
The SCM World University 100 recently released global ranking of the top schools for supply chain talent and ranked Michigan State at #1 and traditional rival Penn State at #2. The methodology involves asking supply chain practitioners to select their top three universities "as a marker of supply chain talent." Learn More
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Ford CEO Looks to Autonomous Cars, Sharing Economy
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Sci-Tech Today | February 23, 2016 
Ford CEO Mark Fields says the 112-year-old company is tripling its investment in new technologies that will ultimately lead to self-driving vehicles -- but will make sure to keep making cars for drivers who want to keep their hands on the wheel. Learn More
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DATA SUPPORTING THE NEW MICHIGAN PLAN
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Michigan jobless rate drops to lowest level since 2001
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MI's statewide unemployment rate dropped by two-tenths of a percentage  point during January, dropping from 5.1 percent to 4.9 percent, adding 33,000 jobs and drawing 27,000 men and women into the state workforce. Overall, unemployment for the month fell by 6,000 workers. "This is the first time the state rate has been under 5 percent since June of 2001," said Bruce Weaver, economic analyst with the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget. Learn More
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Michigan income tax rate is highly competitive
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The Tax Foundation's latest rankings of state individual income tax rates continues to show that MI has a very competitive rate and structure. MI's flat 4.25% rate earned a ranking of 39th lowest in the nation. Learn More
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Michigan ranks No. 6 in nation for major new corporate facilities
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Site Selection, a global business publication, verified 217 projects in  Michigan that met capital investment, job-creation or size standards as part of its annual Governor's Cup ranking. This year, Michigan finished behind Texas, Ohio, Illinois, North Carolina, and Kentucky. Rounding out the top 10 were Georgia, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Indiana. Learn More
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Michigan Personal Income Growth Lags Nation Since Recession
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Data from the Pew Trusts shows MI lagging the nation in personal income growth since the Great Recession. Average annual personal income (adjusted for inflation) grew 1% annually since 2007 - lower than all Great Lakes states except Illinois and over a third lower than the national average. Over the last year, however, MI matched the national average with 3.7% inflation-adjusted income growth. Learn More
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Metro Detroit's Tech Base Delivers Stronger ROI Over Silicon Valley
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More than 80 percent of technology company executives in metro  Detroit believe tech companies have greater return on investment in the region compared with less than 70 percent of their counterparts in Silicon Valley who feel the same about their region, according to a report released by Troy-based Automation Alley, a non-profit technology business accelerator. Learn More
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DTE Energy's spend with in-state businesses benefits MI economy
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News Talk WCHB | February 23, 2016
DTE Energy surpassed its 2015 goal to bring more business back to the MI communities the company serves every day. Last year, the company invested in and supported a number of Michigan-based businesses, spending $945 million throughout the year. DTE, in partnership with Pure Michigan Business Connect (PMBC), has brought $1.7 billion to local MI communities, creating 8,500 new jobs. Learn More
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Save the Date!
2016 Michigan CEO Summit
will be held on Thursday, November 10, 2016.
Stay tuned. Agenda and registration coming soon!
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| Traverse City Wins Title as Midwest Living's "Greatest Midwest Town" |
9 & 10 News | March 8, 2016
Traverse City has earned a new national title, Greatest Midwest Town. In January, "Midwest Living" magazine picked 12 Midwest towns to go up for the title, and Traverse City was the big winner. Those who promote the city say this award belongs to everyone who makes the city great. Traverse City wins a cover page spread in "Midwest Living" for the July-August issue, and a community party. Learn More
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| Corporate investment in renewable energy on the rise in Michigan |
Crain's Detroit Business | March 6, 2016
Going green has been a mantra from some companies for decades, but the business case for it is evident in a new wave of large corporate-led investments in Michigan. While some enable corporations to produce more renewable energy internally, others are aimed at improving overall energy efficiency. That's as the major utilities and state lawmakers debate the merits and downsides of the next round of state energy legislation regarding renewable energy requirements. Learn More
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Grand Rapids ranks as No. 13 'Best Place to Live' in US
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Grand Rapids Business Journal | March 3, 2016 
Grand Rapids is once again considered one of the best places to live in the country. U.S. News & World Report released its 2016 ranking of "Best Places to Live in the U.S.A.," and Grand Rapids ranks No. 13. Learn More
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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 composed exclusively of the chairpersons, chief executive officers, or most senior executives of Michigan's largest companies and universities. Our members drive 32% of the state's economy, provide nearly 375,000 direct 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.
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