Majority of Michigan Residents in Cities with Emergency Managers Are Optimistic about Future

Many don’t like having an EM but believe their city would be worse off without one and overwhelmingly prefer EM over bankruptcy court

DETROIT, Mich., June 13, 2012 — According to a survey commissioned by Business Leaders for Michigan (BLM) in May, the majority of Michigan voters in cities with Emergency Managers (EM) do not like the idea of having an EM but many acknowledge improvements in the services of their municipality.

“While the residents of the four cities with Emergency Managers (EM) may not like having an EM, the majority of residents in every case are optimistic about their city’s future and strongly prefer an EM to bankruptcy courts,” said Doug Rothwell, President and CEO, Business Leaders for Michigan. “In fact, residents in these communities overwhelmingly believe that their city budget is better managed under the EM than by their city council.”

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New Michigan Sweepstakes Winners Announced

Business Leaders for Michigan applauds those selected in the online contest; thanks all who entered for sharing their visions for a New Michigan

DETROIT, Mich. May 18, 2012 – Business Leaders for Michigan (BLM), the state’s business roundtable, has announced the six winners of its New Michigan Sweepstakes, an online contest which attracted more than 100 submissions. Entrants were asked to share their ideas for what a New Michigan would look like to them. These winners, chosen at random, will share $1,000 in total prizes:

• $500 Grand Prize: Chelsea Case of Grand Blanc, for her entry titled, “Hope” in which she described her vision of a New Michigan where college graduates will be able to find careers in their fields of study without having to leave the state.
• $100 Prize: Lindsey Wilson of Kalamazoo, whose vision for a New Michigan is a wonderful place for families to thrive – full of nature, adventure, and opportunity.
• $100 Prize: Lora Leber of Kentwood, who titled her entry, “Put People First” and envisions Michigan as the model for equality in education, health care, housing and employment opportunities.
• $100 Prize: Nicole Coxon of Montrose envisions a state with beautiful clear lakes, plentiful jobs, good leadership, affordable health care, a great educational system and a pure and clean environment.
• $100 Prize: Michael Hull of Royal Oak, whose New Michigan vision is that one day teachers can teach without worries, when school supplies are not limited, and where we invest in our future.
• $100 Prize: Katherine Sheridan of Sylvan Lake, who entered a photograph of a beautiful sunset over one of Michigan’s beautiful lakes.

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Business Leaders for Michigan releases Fiscal Scorecard

Scorecard measures five indicators of fiscal health, shows promising turnaround in most areas. Pension costs need to be addressed.

DETROIT, Mich., May 17, 2012 – Business Leaders for Michigan (BLM), the state’s business roundtable, today released the annual Michigan Fiscal Scorecard, “Assessing the Management of Michigan Governments”. This review of state and local government finances measures five indicators of fiscal health – revenue and expenditures, cash balances, reserves, pension obligations and debt levels-  and is part of BLM’s strategy to determine whether Michigan’s fiscal management practices are improving. The report was prepared for BLM by Anderson Economic Group, LLC.

“The Michigan Fiscal Scorecard gives us a clear picture of the progress the state and local governments are making in managing their finances, as well as identifying those areas that still need improvement, “ said Doug Rothwell, President & CEO, Business Leaders for Michigan. “As we continue to work to turn around Michigan and make it a Top Ten state for job, economic and personal income growth, this realistic review of the state’s fiscal health allows us to gauge how Michigan compares to other states, whether benchmarks are being met, and what steps need to be taken to ensure continued fiscal strength.”

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Business Leaders For Michigan 1Q Economic Outlook Survey

More optimistic about outlook for Michigan than U.S.

DETROIT, Mich., May 10, 2012 – A survey of Business Leaders for Michigan (BLM), the state’s business roundtable, shows that the state’s largest employers are more optimistic about Michigan’s short and long-term economic outlook than for the nation. 

“Michigan’s largest job providers are bullish on the state’s economic prospects and backing it up with increased hiring and investment,” said Doug Rothwell, President & CEO.  “Business leader optimism about the state’s long-term economy is at a three year high and nearly a third of the largest job providers are planning increased hiring and investment in the next six months.”

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Renaissance Venture Capital raises 2nd fund, passes $100 million mark

Business Leaders for Michigan committed to growing jobs and new, innovative companies  

ANN ARBOR, Mich., April 30, 2012 – The Renaissance Venture Capital Fund (RVCF), the venture capital fund-of-funds formed by Business Leaders for Michigan (BLM), announced today that it has formed a second fund with initial capital of $60 million, growing the RCVF to over $100 million.

“Venture capital has been one of the principal drivers of economic growth around the nation,” said Chris Rizik, CEO of RVCF.  “Venture capital-backed companies, as a whole, grow 50% faster than other companies and hire employees at eight times the national average. Michigan has the research and talent base to create these fast-growing new companies and the associated high paying jobs. RVCF marries these strengths with new capital and a network of collaboration between young companies, venture capital funds and many of Michigan’s largest companies, which will lead to more innovative new companies and employment in the state.”

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