We All Have A Role in Building a New Michigan
Michigan has come a long way in the last 5 years. Our business climate has improved, more people are working, and we're beginning to be competitive again. But while progress is being made, we are not a Top Ten state yet.
 
This fall, we have an opportunity to take another step toward that goal, together. The August 2nd Primary Election provides Michigan voters the opportunity to choose their Michigan House of Representatives candidates for the General Election this fall. By casting an informed vote, you can help ensure that our state continues the turnaround that is already underway.
 
On this page, you will find data about where the candidates for Michigan's House of Representatives stand on the issues that matter to Michigan's economy in this 2016 election season. Based on candidates' responses to a provided questionnaire or voting records, you will see how they align with the tenets of our plan to Build a New Michigan.  The Plan is our strategy to make Michigan a Top Ten state for jobs, personal income and a healthy economy.
 
Take some time to learn about the candidates in your area. See how their views align with policies to grow jobs and raise personal incomes. Find out which candidates support the goals of making Michigan competitive, investing in our talent and infrastructure, and growing Michigan's economy.  Inform your friends, families and neighbors about these results. Then, show up at the polls on August 2 and cast a vote for a New Michigan.

OUR EVENTS
Register today for the 2016 Michigan CEO Summit!




Thursday, November 10, 2016  *  8:00AM-2:00PM  *  Westin Book Cadillac Detroit

Cost to Attend: $125 (includes breakfast & lunch)





Don't miss our 2016 Keynote Speakers:
   
J. Patrick Doyle
President and Chief Executive Officer, Domino's

These days, Domino's is delivering more than fresh, hot pies. Hear Doyle discuss how innovation and disruption are two of the biggest factors today affecting a business's success and failure. He will share how he helped transition the corporation from "just a pizza company" to a technology powerhouse.

   
William Taylor
Co-Founder and Founding Editor of
Fast Company & Best-Selling Author


William Taylor has shaped the global conversation about the best ways to compete, innovate and succeed. Hear how you can get to the top by doing ordinary things in extraordinary ways.  Learn how all sorts of industries are re-imagining what's possible in their fields to get ahead of the pack.

A full agenda coming soon! 
EFFORTS UNDERWAY TO BUILD A NEW MICHIGAN
Army Testing Driverless-enabling Tech on I-69
The Detroit News | June 23, 2016

The U.S. Army has begun testing radio technology on a convoy of tractor-trailers along Interstate 69 in the first step toward driverless military vehicles.  Michigan - specifically the 21-mile stretch of I-69 in St. Clair and Lapeer counties where the convoys will operate - was chosen for the project because of its proximity to TARDEC's headquarters in Warren, and the fact that Michigan has the connected vehicle infrastructure available for the testing. The Army's I-69 route will include six roadside sensors that will collect data and talk back to the vehicles. Learn more. . .
 
Study Predicts 21 Million Autonomous Cars Sold Globally by 2035
Autonews.com | June 7, 2016
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Despite facing an uphill battle of legislation and regulation, 21 million fully and semi-autonomous vehicles will be sold globally in 2035, according to a forecast from IHS Automotive. All told, between now and 2035, IHS estimates that nearly 76 million vehicles with some level of autonomy will be sold globally. 
 Learn More
Report: Michigan's Advanced Manufacturing Workforce At Its Highest Level Since 2006
dbusiness | June 16, 2016 
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With nearly 700,000 workers employed in Michigan, last year marked the highest level of employment growth in the state's
 advanced manufacturing industry, says a new report by Lightweight Innovations For Tomorrow (LIFT) and the Workforce Intelligence Network in Detroit. Learn More

American Center for Mobility Targets Federal, State Funding Sources
Crain's Detroit Business | June 12, 2016

Developers of the American Center for Mobility in Ypsilanti Township say they plan to target federal transportation, energy and commerce departments for $60 million in funding to help build out the planned test facility for connected and automated vehicles. In addition, they plan to seek $17 million in state funding this summer from the Michigan Strategic Fund, a division of the Michigan Economic Development Corp., said John Maddox, the center's CEO. Learn more

DATA SUPPORTING THE NEW MICHIGAN PLAN
Michigan: #3 Personal Income Growth
Personal income in Michigan increased 1.3% during the first quarter of 2016 compared to the fourth quarter of 2015, which was stronger than the U.S. growth rate of 1.0% and was the 3rd strongest rate of growth among all of the states.   This marked the second consecutive quarter that Michigan had one of the fastest personal income growth rates among the states.  The state data on personal income for the first quarter of 2016 was released recently by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.  Learn More
Michigan's Demographic Crisis
The U.S. age 25-54 workforce will grow by 15% over the next 25 years - Michigan's will decline by nearly 9%.  Learn More
Michigan's GDP Growth Slowed in 2015
Michigan's real (inflation adjusted) GDP increased 1.4% in 2015, which was below the national growth rate of 2.4%. MI's growth rate ranked 32nd among all of the states in 2015, the same ranking as in 2014. MI's real per capita GDP increased 1.3% in 2015 which was slightly below the U.S. growth rate of 1.5%. This ranked us 19th among all of the states in 2015. MI's real GDP grew slower than the U.S in 2015 for two primary reasons: 1) durable manufacturing, which is a larger share of the MI economy than it is of the U.S. economy, grew slower in MI than the U.S. and 2) government declined more in MI than the U.S.  Learn More


SPOTLIGHT ON OUR MEMBERS
Consumers Energy Focus on Pure Michigan Business Connect
Wood TV | June 21, 2016

In 2015, Consumers Energy made good on its commitment to spend an additional $1 billion on Michigan goods and services over a five year period. They are now committed to spending at least $1 billion annually with Michigan-based firms for the next five years.  Learn More
As AAA turns 100, new boss aims to keep driving growth
Detroit Free Press | June 10, 2016

Joseph Richardson Jr. - the new president and CEO of AAA of Michigan following Charles Podowski, who ran the auto club for 17 years - aims to make the auto club more digital and more relevant to millennials.  
Learn More
IN THE NEWS
Michigan Economic Activity Index rises in April 
Crain's Detroit Business | July 1, 2016

The Michigan Economic Activity Index rose 1.9 percentage points in April to a level of 129.1, continuing its see-sawing this year. The index fell by 0.7 percentage points in March, rose by 0.5 percentage points in February and fell by 1.2 points in January.  April's reading is 55 points, or 74 percent, above the index cyclical low of 74 hit in June 2009. It averaged 124.5 points last year. Learn more
Booming Again: West Michigan's Economy is on a Roll
Bridge | June 23, 2016
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Michigan's economy is enjoying some of the lowest sustained jobless rates since before 9/11, with a return of thousands of manufacturing jobs swept away by the Great Recession. With joblessness below 5 percent, that's been mostly good news, despite wages that remain generally stagnant. But nowhere is Michigan shining brighter than West Michigan, where two counties, Kent and Ottawa, account for one fifth of all new jobs in the state, despite comprising just one-tenth of the population. Learn more


Business Leaders for Michigan
600 Renaissance Center, Suite 1760
Detroit, MI, 48243-1802
Phone: 313.259.5400
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.