Michigan gubernatorial candidate Mike Duggan, running as an independent, outlined a business-focused agenda during a visit to Southwest Michigan, emphasizing workforce retention, housing development, and regulatory reform as key to the state’s economic future.
At an event organized by the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber, Duggan said one of Michigan’s biggest economic challenges is keeping young talent in the state. “We lead this country in people under 30 moving out of state,” he said, adding that while Michigan produces skilled graduates, many leave due to limited job opportunities. “Our problem isn’t that we don’t have the talent. Our problem is we pay to train the talent, the talent leaves.”
Speaking to St. Joseph-area residents at The Box Factory, Duggan tied that trend to what he described as a lack of “jobs of the future,” saying the state must do more to attract and retain industries that can support long-term economic growth. He also called for expanded vocational training in high schools to better align workforce skills with employer needs, particularly in the skilled trades.
Housing affordability was another central issue raised during his visit. Duggan said high housing costs are limiting workforce growth and making it harder for businesses to fill positions. “No matter where you go, young people are being priced out of this state,” he said, pointing to housing shortages as a barrier to economic development in both urban and rural communities.
He also highlighted regulatory challenges affecting both agriculture and construction, citing delays in state permitting. Duggan said farmers have struggled to get irrigation systems approved, while housing developments in Detroit have faced similar hurdles. He attributed both to staffing shortages at the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.
On emerging industries, Duggan addressed the growth of data centers and called for clearer statewide standards to balance economic development with public protections. “The developer pays full freight for the electricity, it does not get passed on to the ratepayers,” he said. He also called for requirements around water reuse, transparency in development agreements, and greater local control over project approvals.
Duggan said those policies are intended to create a more predictable and business-friendly environment while ensuring communities are not burdened by large-scale developments. He added that local governments should have the authority to accept or reject projects without outside pressure.
As he continues a campaign tour across all 83 Michigan counties, Duggan said his focus remains on identifying common economic challenges across regions. “It is amazing how common the problems people in Michigan have,” he said, pointing to workforce, housing, and regulatory issues as recurring themes in conversations with business owners and residents alike.
