This week, the Building Michigan’s 21^st Century Economy Commission presented their report to Governor Rick Snyder.  The report states that for the state to achieve economic success, it must lead on talent, invest in infrastructure, create a competitive business climate, and ensure a good quality of life.  “The commission was first called for during the Governor’s 2016 State of the State address and was later created by Executive Order in June 2016,” stated Tony Des Chenes of MLC.  Members include business owners, educations, economic developers, and several department directors.  Over the past several months, the Commission held listening sessions around the state to hear from local leaders, entrepreneurs, and other community members about challenges in each region.

Key recommendations in the report include:

Lead on Talent

• Assure an effective pathway to post-secondary and lifelong learning.
• Equip all individuals with 21st century skills, at all levels of education.
• Grow our population by attracting and retaining talent from all countries and states.

Invest in Infrastructure

• Build and maintain modern physical transportation, digital communications, and utility infrastructure.
• Use our infrastructure to connect people to opportunities, both physically and digitally.
• Build social infrastructure to remove barriers to success for individuals (such as housing and childcare).

Create a Competitive Business Climate

• Increase cross-sector collaboration to drive economic clusters, with a specific focus on mobility.
• Create the policy frameworks that allow the state to encourage smart business growth.
• Use regional, technology-enabled, customer-centric approaches to improve the experience of expanding, starting, and locating a business.

Ensure a Good Quality of Life

• Create thriving cities and communities to drive growth and anchor regions.
• Welcome all to our state by supporting and celebrating individuals from all cultures and backgrounds.
• Ensure the quality of and access to our natural resources, fresh water, and recreation.

 To read the full report, please click here.

Michigan Legislative Consultants is a bipartisan lobbying firm based in Lansing, Michigan. Our team of lobbyists and procurement specialists provide a wide range of services for some of the most respected companies in America. For more on MLC, visit www.mlcmi.com or connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.