You and I would be making nearly $10,000 more per year and there would be at least 34,000 more of our fellow Michiganders on the employment rolls if Michigan were to once again be a “Top Ten” state. That, in a nutshell, should prove to all of us why the drive and desire of the top businessmen and women in this state to get there is so urgent. They are the people behind Business Leaders for Michigan, and they have just unveiled a new Plan for a Stronger Michigan.
Doug Rothwell is President & CEO of the Business Leaders for Michigan team. He points out why being a “Top Ten” state is so important, by telling us, “To put things into perspective, if Michigan were performing like a ‘Top Ten’ state today, there would be 34,000 more Michiganders employed and per capita personal income would be $9,500 higher.”
Rothwell reminds us that while Michigan has come far, there is much more to do to become even stronger and a “Top Ten” state for jobs, personal income and a healthy economy. BLM says it will require all Michiganders and our elected leaders coming together to propel our state forward by focusing on core issues like improving our K-12 education and job training systems, making college more affordable, and strengthening our infrastructure and fiscal stability.
BLM’s Plan for a Stronger Michigan is an action plan for maintaining and accelerating the Great Lakes State’s economic turnaround. The group is also thanking the governor and lawmakers for some of the meaningful changes they’ve made to advance the state forward, but caution everyone that Michigan’s work isn’t done.
Blake Krueger, who is Chairman, CEO & President of Wolverine Worldwide, serves as Board Chair at BLM. He says, “The Plan for a Stronger Michigan reflects the tremendous gains we’ve made, and the challenges and opportunities ahead.” He adds, “It’s a fact-based action plan that prioritizes the essential steps necessary to transform our state. By focusing on what matters most, we are optimistic that together we can build a strong, prosperous Michigan that works for everyone.”
Rothwell notes, “Our state has worked hard to recover from the darkest days of the Great Recession,” and adds, “While we’ve made great progress to date, we can’t afford to lose sight of what’s happening nationally and how competitive other states and countries are.” Mr. Rothwell will join me live on the Moody in the Morning Radio Broadcast on News Talk 94.9 at 8:40am on Friday, March 9, 2018 to discuss the new plan and what comes next. Find that broadcast on 94.9FM or streaming live at WSJM.com.
Here are some highlights of the Plan for a Stronger Michigan:
- Strengthen the state’s fiscal stability. The plan calls for reductions in state and local debt, cost estimates for proposed legislation, and greater service delivery across jurisdictions.
- Produce more skilled and educated talent. Ensure that every child is ready to learn and advance by improving K-12 performance with maximized support for teachers and principals, increased accountability and the maintenance of high student standards and assessments. Move Michiganders into good paying jobs quickly by making job training easier to navigate for employers wishing to locate or expand in Michigan through the establishment of a single point of contact for employers and customized on-demand job training programs.
- Improve Michigan’s aging infrastructure. Form an infrastructure planning council to prioritize needs, achieve greater coordination between regions, ensure long-term planning and better asset management, and incentivize localities to improve water infrastructure. Utilize user fees to pay for transportation and water infrastructure needs and expand broadband in underserved areas.
- Grow Michigan’s economy by leveraging its unique assets, most notably its potential as a Global Center of Mobility. Michigan’s automotive industry represents the single largest potential growth opportunity for the state.
- Ensure the state’s economic development efforts are growing the results we need. The state needs stronger approaches to business attraction, as well as a unified economic development strategy.
BLM also showcased Raise Your Hand for a Stronger Michigan – its public awareness campaign designed to raise awareness and support of the steps needed to make Michigan a “Top Ten” state, and to help alert voters to how candidates align with the Plan for a Stronger Michigan. Here is a link to the 30-second Raise Your Hand video on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0T_U3sONEg&feature=youtu.be
As Mr. Rothwell suggests, “Michigan has turned the corner. Now, it’s about building a stronger and better Michigan than ever.” He concludes, “Keeping Michigan’s momentum going is something we can all play a role in. We encourage every Michigander to learn more and get involved in shaping our state’s future.”
To get involved, learn more or get a full copy of the plan, you can visit StrongerMichigan.com, or simply click the link below for immediate access to it: