March 23, 2004

LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm will visit three Michigan university campuses in April to explore ideas for creating "cool cities" with the very citizens she wants to remain in Michigan – young, college-educated workers.

"Keeping our brightest young minds here in Michigan is a critical component in growing our economy," said Granholm. "Today’s young people and college students are the economic engines of tomorrow," she added. "The state has a vital interest in talking to our young people directly about how we can work together to make our state more attractive to them and to the businesses that are hungry to hire them."

The three Michigan college campuses the Governor will visit to conduct "Cool Cities" forums are:

• April 14 at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids;

• April 15 at Northern Michigan University in Marquette;

• April 20 at Wayne State University in Detroit.

The forums are a follow-up to the highly successful "Cool Cities" survey conducted at http://www.michigancoolcities.com. The survey was designed to gather college students’ and young people’s input on the factors that are most important to them in choosing a city in which to live or work. More than 12,000 people have participated in the survey – which was distributed with the help of the state’s university, community college, and private college community – since December. Survey participants will receive a follow-up email inviting them to attend the live, campus sessions.

Persons interested in attending the forums can register online. Space is limited, and registration will be on a first come, first served basis.

Governor Granholm kicked off the "Cool Cities" effort last year as part of her overall plan to grow Michigan’s economy. U.S. Census data showed that Michigan is losing workers ages 25 to 34 at a greater rate than other age categories, yet research shows that these young, knowledgeable workers will be critical to economic growth in the future.

"The future economic security of our state is in the hands of young, college-educated workers who will choose to stay in or move to Michigan," Granholm said. "I am eager to talk to young people in Grand Rapids, Marquette and Detroit to find out what we can do to stop the brain drain and create the Michigan they want as a home and as a workplace."

Media interested in covering the forums should contact the Department of Labor & Economic Growth’s media office at 517-373-9280 for credentials and more information.