| Don't miss: Leadership Summit on Fiscal Stability - Monday, April 17 |
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In recent months, there have been numerous discussions about the budget challenges facing the state and its local units of government. There are a number of important issues, from how to fund infrastructure improvements to how to maintain services while addressing unfunded liabilities, which warrant discussion with an eye toward the future before decisions are reached.
That's why we've decided to host a Leadership Summit on Fiscal Stability on Monday, April 17 at the Radisson Hotel in Lansing. It is both timely and essential that we take a look at what's happening across Michigan, get input from state and national leaders about best practices, and proactively identify solutions to ensure our state's long-term fiscal health.
Join us and other business executives, nonprofit and community leaders, educators, and policymakers for this high-impact discussion of the state's fiscal stability. Learn more
The Summit costs $50 and includes lunch. Click here to reserve your seat today!
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Making New Good Paying Jobs Michigan's #1 Priority
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Thanks to bipartisan support from Sens. Jim Stamas, Wayne Schmidt and Steven Bieda, the Good Jobs for Michigan legislation, Senate Bills 242-244, passed out of the Senate. 
This is an important step for Michigan's families, communities and businesses - and more than 50 leading job providers, community organizations, economic developers and labor unions from across our state are supporting this critical legislation.
While we're doing better as a state, that doesn't help you if you are still unemployed or underemployed.
Read recent articles:
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1Q 2017 Economic Forecast: Biz Leaders' Optimism Still High on MI & U.S. Economies
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Michigan business leaders continue to be optimistic about future growth prospects of the state and national economies, according to the latest survey of Business Leaders for Michigan members. "The state's top executives believe the economy will continue to grow and add jobs during the next six to 18 months," said Doug Rothwell, BLM President & CEO. "There was a marked improvement immediately after the national election and that has continued during the first few months of the new Administration." Learn More
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EFFORTS UNDERWAY TO BUILD A NEW MICHIGAN
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Governor Rick Snyder seeks to map Michigan's infrastructure
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Detroit Free Press | April 3, 2017
Gov. Rick Snyder recently announced a pilot program to start mapping the state's infrastructure assets - including, roads, bridges, sewer lines, gas lines, electric lines, storm water pipes - in a digital system that would show them in 3D. Learn More
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Michigan boosts ranking in venture capital deals in 1st quarter
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Crain's Detroit Business | April 5, 2017
Michigan boosted its state ranking for venture capital investing in the first quarter this year, according to new data released by the National Venture Capital Association and PitchBook Data Inc. Michigan venture capital firms invested $89.2 million in 20 deals in the first quarter, ranking the state 21st in the country. The state ranked 26th in the fourth quarter last year, when $41.8 million was invested in 14 deals. Learn More
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DATA SUPPORTING THE NEW MICHIGAN PLAN
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| Michigan Unemployment: 5.3% |
More people were working and more people joined the labor force, but Michigan's unemployment rate increased to 5.3 percent in February. The increase was from 5.2 percent in January and 0.3 percentage points higher than the jobless rate in February 2016. Learn More
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Few Counties Show Net Positive Property Value Increase Since 2008
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In most communities in Michigan, the value of all property -- residential, commercial, agricultural and industrial -- remains below 2008. Only a few communities have seen residential values climb above 2008 while agricultural communities saw bigger increases. Learn More
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U.S. News Best State Rankings: Michigan #33
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Some states shine in health care. Some soar in education. Some excel in both - or in much more. The Best States ranking of U.S. states draws on thousands of data points to measure how well states are performing for their citizens. In addition to health care and education, the metrics take into account a state's economy, the opportunity it offers people, its roads, bridges, internet and other infrastructure, its public safety and the integrity and health of state government.
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Ford to Pump $1.2 Billion Into Michigan Operations
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U.S. News & World Report | March 28, 2017
Ford announced it would be investing $850 million in its Michigan Assembly Plant, retooling the facility for manufacturing of the Ford Ranger and Ford Bronco models. It also vowed to pump $150 million into its Romeo Engine Plant and direct another $200 million toward an "advanced data center" at its Flat Rock Assembly Plant. Learn More
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| La-Z-Boy hits 90-year mark |
The Monroe News | April 1, 2017
La-Z-Boy Incorporated has been in business for 90 years. The Monroe-based company marked its anniversary recently. Since the first day, La-Z-Boy has had a clear focus on building "comfortable, great-looking furniture with a focus on quality," said Kurt L. Darrow, chairman, president and chief executive officer, said in a statement. Learn More
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| Huntington Bank to Invest $5.4M in Downtown Flint, Bring in 60 Jobs |
MLive.com | March 14, 2017
Huntington National Bank plans to expand its call center in downtown Flint, investing nearly $5.4 million in renovating its Saginaw Street complex and creating 60 new jobs. A $450,000 performance-based grant from the Michigan Strategic Fund brought the overall cost to relocate the bank's call center to Flint lower than a competitive site in Ohio, according to a Michigan Economic Development Corporation news release. Learn More
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Switch Opens 'Most Advanced Data Campus' in Former Steelcase Pyramid
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MLive.com | March 9, 2017
Switch, the Nevada company that bought the former Steelcase pyramid last year, announced it has opened the "largest, most advanced data center campus in the Eastern U.S." at the building on 60th Street SE. Switch bought the pyramid-shaped building from Steelcase for $4 million last year and began converting the office furniture maker's "Corporate Development Center" into a $400 million data center designed to serve customers in the eastern half of the United States. Switch has estimated it will bring a total investment of $5 billion and creation of 1,000 jobs over the first 10 years of its operations. Learn More
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Moody's Lauds Detroit's Move to Set Aside Cash for Pensions
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U.S. News & World Report | March 20, 2017
The Detroit City Council's approval of a special fund to cover pension payments is a positive credit move, although concerns remain over the availability of money to cover retirement benefits, Moody's Investors Service said. The council on March 10 approved Mayor Mike Duggan's proposal to deposit $377 million into a trust fund by the end of fiscal 2023 to help Detroit cover higher-than-expected pension payments starting in fiscal 2024. Learn More
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Grand Rapids Among '20 Most Overlooked Cities in America,' Publisher Says
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MLive.com | March 8, 2017
Publisher DK recently released a list of the 20 most overlooked cities in America and Grand Rapids came in at No. 18. "Grand Rapids has garnered fame in the last few years for its reinvigorated downtown area, restaurants from the likes of Wolfgang Puck, and its high-quality microbreweries - some 40 at last count," a group of DK's in-house travel experts wrote. Grand Rapids is the only Michigan city to appear on the list. Madison, Wisc. Sacramento, Cal., Athens, Georgia, Rochester, N.Y. and Tucson, Arizona round out the top five. 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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