What's next for Michigan?
That's the question that frames everything we do. From our policy and outreach efforts to our research and communications activities, BLM is relentlessly focused on making Michigan a Top Ten state with more jobs, higher personal incomes and a stronger economy.
 
Now, more than six years into MI's economic recovery, it's time to start looking ahead. We've been growing quickly, but will this growth be enough to sustain us in the event of a future economic downturn? Here at BLM, we think not. That is why we've zeroed in on specific areas of effort: 
  • Accelerate economic development by adopting incentive programs comparable to other states that reward the creation of high-paying jobs and large-scale redevelopment projects.
  • Further strengthen MI's long-term fiscal stability by addressing the state's unfunded liabilities and building greater structural integrity and transparency to state finances.
  • Further improve MI's infrastructure by implementing smart solutions for managing, funding and overseeing our state assets. Check out our specific recommendations here.
  • Ensure MI is the Global Center of Mobility by supporting new policies and investments identified from continuing work in this area.  
  • Produce more educated and skilled talent by investing in just-in-time training programs that fill good paying jobs, improving college affordability through greater state support for our colleges, universities and students, and improving K­-12 performance.
Please join us in our efforts to build jobs, incomes and productivity by adding your voice to the conversation. It's going to take all of us working together to become a Top Ten state.
OUR EVENTS
Register Today!




We all want Michigan and its communities to be financially 
stable and healthy.



Monday, April 17, 2017  | 12:00-5:00pm
Radisson Hotel, Lansing, Michigan
Registration Fee: $50




Hear why Michigan's fiscal health is so important to growing our state and learn 
about best practices we can put in place to ensure our state and local governments 
are ready to face financial challenges head on.


Presenters include:



Jeff Guilfoyle, Vice President, Public Sector Consultants


Kara Millonzi, Associate Professor of Public Law and Government
University of North Carolina



Robert Zahradnik, Director, State Policy, State Fiscal Health and Economic Growth
The Pew Charitable Trusts



Full list of speakers and agenda will be released soon!


Limited number of sponsorships available.  Click here if you're interested in being a sponsor.
EFFORTS UNDERWAY TO BUILD A NEW MICHIGAN
From Rust to Robots: How the Midwest Could Become a Hub for Advanced Transportation

Car and Driver | January 26, 2017


A new collection of transportation agencies and universities is taking one small step toward transforming the Rust Belt into a place associated with the future instead of the past. Eleven agencies and institutions located in Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania have formed the Smart Belt Coalition, which will spur joint efforts on the testing and deployment of autonomous and connected cars. Learn More 
KPMG Report: One Connected Car Generates More Revenue Streams Than 10 Conventional Cars

dbusiness | January 24, 2017


Advancements such as connectivity, big data, autonomous vehicles, and artificial intelligence are driving new economic models for automakers, and most see tremendous revenue potential and consumer value in leveraging driver and vehicle data to offer mobility services, according to the 2017 KPMG Global Automotive Executive Study. Learn More 


Study Pegs Food Retailers' Economic Impact at $15.4 Billion in Michigan

Crain's Detroit Business | January 24, 2017


Food retailers and their spinoff economic effects account for about 3 percent of the state's GDP, according to a study by Michigan State University's Center for Regional Food Systems on the economic ripple effect. The Associated Food and Petroleum Dealers commissioned the $16,000 study. It measured the economic impact of grocery stores, supermarkets, gas stations, pharmacies and other small food stores. Learn More 
Feds Pick Willow Run Site for Self-Driving Designation

Detroit Free Press | January 19, 2017


The American Center for Mobility in Ypsilanti Township has been selected as one of 10 sites from around the country designated by the U.S. Department of Transportation as a national proving ground for self-driving and autonomous vehicle technology. The designation paves the way for private investment into the 311-acre facility at the former Willow Run bomber plant. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., who pushed for the designation, said the announcement is a "big deal" and important because the U.S. is competing against countries in Europe and Asia, which are also working to promote the technology. Learn more


DATA SUPPORTING THE NEW MICHIGAN PLAN
Michigan: 2nd Quintile Most Innovative States
Mirroring results from BLM's benchmarking research, Bloomberg gave MI high marks for R&D intensity, STEM talent and patent production, but below average scores for productivity, economic diversity and engineering degree holders (Note: Bloomberg measures degree holders as a % of the state's population.  MI still ranks highly in the number of engineering degrees produced and the absolute number of engineering degree holders.) Learn More




Michigan: #27 Reliant on Federal Aid
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The Tax Foundation calculated the rankings based on how much federal aid represents of total state revenue. Learn More




Michigan's Research Universities Responsible for $2.15B in R&D

The three universities comprising Michigan's University Research Corridor spent $2.15 billion in research and development in fiscal 2015, up 53 percent since formation of the URC in 2007. The URC universities attracted 94 cents of every federal dollar spent on academic research in MI and account for 94 percent of all R&D conducted at higher education institutions in the state. Nearly $500 million in new tax revenues are attributable to the URC, as well as a net jobs impact of 68,896 in the state. Learn More


SPOTLIGHT ON OUR MEMBERS
DTE Says it Spent $1.3B with Michigan-Based Companies Last Year
Detroit Free Press | January 25, 2017


DTE Energy Co. says its efforts to shift its purchases to local suppliers that started several years ago have boosted its spending in Michigan. DTE said that last year it spent $1.3 billion with Michigan-based companies, up from $475 million in 2010 when it started the effort after the nation's economic downturn. It says the spending has buoyed job-creation efforts in the state. Learn more 
General Motors to Invest $1B in U.S. Manufacturing, Creating 7,000 Jobs
dbusiness | January 17, 2017
GM-logo

General Motors announced it will invest an additional $1 billion in its U.S. manufacturing operations. The investment will cover multiple new vehicle, advanced technology, and component projects, and will result in 7,000 new jobs nationwide. The company also announced that 450 new jobs will be coming to Michigan as GM focuses on insourcing axle production for its next generation full-size pickup trucks, which were previously manufactured in Mexico. Learn more 
IN THE NEWS 
Grand Rapids Cracks Top 20 on U.S. News' 'best places to live'

Detroit Free Press | February 7, 2017


Michigan's second-largest city is also one of the best places to live in the United States, according to U.S. News. Grand Rapids checks in at No. 19 on the publication's latest list of "100 Best Places to Live in America," just ahead of the likes of Houston, San Diego and San Antonio. To make the top of the list, "a place had to have good value, be a desirable place to live, have a strong job market and a high quality of life," U.S. News wrote. Learn More 
Comerica Bank's Michigan Index Continues Gains

Yahoo! Finance | January 31, 2017
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Comerica Bank's Michigan Economic Activity Index improved in November, up 1.3 percentage points to a level of 129.7. November's reading is 56 points, or 75 percent, above the index cyclical low of 74.1. The index averaged 123.6 points for all of 2015, five and four-fifths points above the index average for 2014. October's index reading was 128.4. Learn More 
World's Largest Automotive Interiors Supplier Moves Headquarters to Novi

The Oakland Press | January 19, 2017


Yanfeng Automotive Interiors, the world's largest automotive interiors supplier, is moving its Southeast Michigan headquarters to Novi. It will be located in an existing building located at 41395 W. 12 Mile Road. Yanfeng is making an $8.45 million investment into the former Detroit Medical Center building, which will bring 280 employees and 60 new jobs. Learn More 
Billions in Automotive Investment Mean Thousands of Jobs for Michigan

MLive.com | January 18, 2017


Blockbuster announcements from the so-called "Detroit Three" automakers so far this year total $2.7 billion in new U.S. automotive investment and thousands of jobs. Those investments - $1 billion at General Motors, which was announced Jan. 16; $1 billion at Fiat Chrysler;  and $700 million at Ford -  will support expanding factories, creating new production facilities and establishing cutting-edge manufacturing capability for high-tech automotive advancements.  Learn More


Business Leaders for Michigan

600 Renaissance Center, Suite 1760

Detroit, MI, 48243-1802
Phone: 313.259.5400
info@businessleadersformichigan.com

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




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