Business Leaders for Michigan in Detroit today released “Michigan in a New Era,” a comprehensive strategy to position the state to compete and grow amid rapid technological, economic, and demographic change.
The plan calls for transforming education, making Michigan the easiest place to build and grow a business, and activating the state’s full economic potential.
“As the pace of change accelerates, we need to build a more adaptive and competitive state — standing still now only widens the gap,” says Jeff Donofrio, president and CEO of Business Leaders for Michigan. “‘Michigan in a New Era’ focuses on changing what’s within our control — three areas that, when working well, have the greatest power to change our state’s trajectory.”
At the core of “Michigan in a New Era” are three priorities that cut across education, talent, and the economy:
Transform Education as Michigan’s Defining Mission — Ensuring every child can read by third grade, tackling chronic absenteeism, setting a high standard for a high school diploma, and seamlessly connecting students to apprenticeships, college and careers.
Make Michigan the Easiest State to in which to Build and Grow — Removing barriers to growth through a culture of customer service, streamlined regulations, and support for communities ready to innovate.
Activate Michigan’s Economic Potential — Modernizing Michigan’s economic development system, empowering regions, and creating a consistent approach to attracting and retaining talent.
“Michigan in a New Era” draws on extensive research and benchmarking that reveal how decades of slow growth, industrial disruption, talent outmigration, and inconsistent policies have limited the state’s ability to sustain momentum — even during periods of national expansion, according to the organization.
Proving the need for improvement, Business Leaders for Michigan point to Michigan’s ranking of 50th in household income growth over the past 25 years. Another measurement shows that over the last two decades, high-wage professional service jobs have grown 35 percent nationally, but Michigan has remained flat.
Over the last 30 years, Michigan has fallen to 44th from 16th in fourth grade reading and now has one of the highest chronic absenteeism rates in the nation, according to statistics.
“Michigan’s challenge isn’t ideas or effort — it’s consistency and follow-through,” Donofrio says. “When priorities shift, progress stalls. We need a long-term strategy that endures beyond election cycles. Other states have shown what’s possible when that happens.”
The plan, states Donofrio, emphasizes what must be different in this new era: a shared agenda that extends beyond any one governor, party, or interest group — championed by the state’s governor, built with the legislature, and sustained beyond political terms to create lasting change.
It calls for reforms anchored in accountability that are designed to stick and supported by strong public engagement and broad coalitions where Michiganders feel the urgency, see the progress, and trust their leaders to deliver.
“Michigan’s future will continue to be defined by our ability to come together around a common vision for growth,” says Gary Torgow, chair of Business Leaders For Michigan and chairman of The Huntington National Bank, a subsidiary of Huntington Bancshares. “If we continue to stay focused and work together, Michigan can endeavor to lead the nation in creating opportunity and prosperity for all.”
