May 30, 2003

Mackinac Island, MI – In remarks before the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Policy Conference, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today outlined her vision for making Michigan a “magnet state” for jobs, investment, and a talented workforce.

Granholm said strong economic growth in Michigan requires the state to practice fiscal responsibility while maintaining the quality of life critical to attracting new investment and jobs.

“We must again make Michigan a magnet for economic opportunity and growth,” said Granholm.  “The first step in strengthening our economy is to practice fiscal discipline.  We simply cannot spend more than we take in. 

Second, improving our quality of life is critical for both attracting new investment and jobs in Michigan and ensuring our families’ well-being.”

In March, Granholm submitted a balanced budget that restored education funding and expanded prescription drug coverage for senior citizens.  She asked business leaders in the audience to support her call for fiscal responsibility and urged the Legislature to pass a balanced budget that protects health care, families, and education.

Granholm also told the Chamber audience that regional problem solving is the only way to resolve critical quality of life issues like health care and transportation. 

“The challenges we face are not exclusive to one city or one county; we can only really solve them when we work together.  DARTA is a great example of how regional leaders can come together to solve problems for citizens of an entire community. We must use that collaborative power to find ways to provide citizens with better health care, better roads, and better public services.”

Granholm announced that she will convene a Regional Problem Solving Summit in Southeast Michigan this fall to build on the success of the DARTA agreement.  Earlier this month, Granholm joined leaders from Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb Counties and the City of Detroit to announce the formation of the new Detroit Area Regional Transportation Authority to plan and coordinate Southeast Michigan’s first-ever comprehensive mass transit service.

In addition to responsible spending and regional problem solving, Granholm said that economic growth relies on attracting and keeping the “creative, talented workforce” needed to propel a knowledge-based economy.

“In order to have a truly strong state economy in the future, we must make sure that people are drawn to our cities.  Michigan is 47th in the country in terms of keeping our young people.  We must create ‘cool’ cities that attract entrepreneurs starting businesses and the young, creative workers they’re looking to hire.  These are the folks who are driving economic growth, and they want to live in exciting, diverse cities.  We need those people and those jobs to converge in Michigan.”

Granholm said that many Michigan communities are making great strides in revitalizing their downtowns.  She stressed that the state must be an active partner in expanding those efforts.  The Governor said her administration will begin a dialogue with cultural organizations, city development groups, universities, and economic experts to implement a plan for creating vibrant, “cool” cities.