Michigan makes huge strides in 2011

Column by Doug Rothwell, President and CEO of Business Leaders for Michigan and Phil Power, the Founder and President of The Center for Michigan 

Michigan has much to be thankful for as this year comes to a close: Better managed state and local government, a brighter economic outlook and more efficient delivery of public services. Our state’s turnaround has begun, but in many ways the hardest work still lies ahead.

A year ago, our two organizations held a summit, “Common Sense Reforms for a New Michigan” in Lansing. We drew nearly 400 people, including newly elected Gov. Rick Snyder and many legislative leaders for a discussion of structural changes we felt were needed to turn around Michigan and put us firmly on the path to prosperity.

The summit resulted in recommendations to improve state and local government efficiency, business climate and quality of life in our state.  We also pledged to report on progress one year later — hence this column. There is much progress to report.

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Accelerate Michigan: Looking for the best ideas to grow Michigan’s economy!

If you are sitting on an idea for the “Next Big Thing,” you can now compete to win the financial support necessary to launch your idea or grow your company to the next stage.  The best and brightest business thinkers are invited to sharpen their pencils and enter their business plans in the Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition.  With over $1 million in cash awards and in-kind contributions of services, staffing, and software, the Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition is the nation’s largest monetary prize contest and offers serious support for winning business concepts. 

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One "Top Ten" Ranking

Michigan's public universities attracted over $1.7B in research to the state in 2009 according to the latest data from the State Science and Technology Institute.  That puts Michigan as the #10 state in the nation for university research and development.  Our universities, particularly our research universities, are economic engines that can help build the new Michigan economy.

What a difference a year makes!

This time last year, there was no state budget in place, Michigan had the 48th worst tax climate for business and even basic legislation like removing barriers to local service sharing couldn't get passed.

Today, a structurally balanced budget has been adopted, we're going to have about the 20th best tax climate for business and more legislation has been passed to streamline Michigan government than in almost fifty years!

Could this be why the mood of business owners toward Michigan is so upbeat? Could it also be why we're starting to see an up-tick in hiring and job openings?

Fixing the basics and getting competitive is turning Michigan around!

Being Vigilant

Business Leaders for Michigan releases its latest benchmarking report on Michigan's economic competitiveness next week.  The take-away:  Be vigilant!

• Vigilant to continue improving Michigan's competitivess now that we are starting to turn the corner into economic recovery.  
• Vigilant not to fall back into bad habits like spending what little new revenue is coming into the State Treasury on things that don't grow our economy for the future and pay down our debt.  
• Vigilant to recognize six months of good accomplishments by Governor Snyder and the new legislature does not constitute a turnaround.
• Vigilant in recognizing we live in a global economy and that we have to keep getting better if we want to grow jobs and incomes.  

Being competitive today is a requirement for growing the economy...and you're never done striving to get better at it.