We need vibrant, densely populated cities to attract young talent and more students completing four-year degrees to build our economy. Low-wage jobs won’t get us there. If we can attract talented people, capital will follow.
Lou Glazer
A guest author for Bridge Magazine.
Lou Glazer is president and co-founder of Michigan Future, Inc., a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization focused on helping Michigan succeed in a knowledge-driven economy. Its work is funded by Michigan foundations.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | To succeed, Michigan should chase talent, not factories
So what if Kentucky and Tennessee are getting some auto and battery plants? That’s not the path to state prosperity.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | Michigan economic development is a failure. Time to focus on people
For decades, we’ve hoped luring businesses to Michigan would lead to increasing our skilled workforce. It’s time to flip that script and use our state dollars for workforce improvement.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | Why Michigan’s economic ‘good times’ aren’t that good, in 11 slides
Yes, unemployment is low. But so is income. Michigan has become a low-prosperity state.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | 5 lessons Michigan cities can learn from the Twin Cities
Metro Minneapolis is one of the most liveable regions in the country. It didn’t happen overnight.
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Tax cuts over college grads ‒ no wonder Michigan struggles
The most successful U.S. states are not characterized by low taxes, but by high levels of college graduates in the knowledge economy.
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Public investment is vital to Michigan. Low taxes don’t boost incomes.
The state needs more revenue to make investments necessary to attract good-paying jobs and train workforce.
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A modest proposal: Michigan’s economic policies should focus on increasing incomes for all
State should invest in education skills that acknowledge workers will switch jobs throughout their 40-year careers.
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Michigan’s economy is broken. And neither party is offering real solutions.
There is no way back to the prosperous Michigan economy of the 20th Century. We must face this reality and get to work on ideas that will produce a broad middle class, where household income grows for all Michiganders.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Hit the books, Michigan, and get smart about economic growth
The state will best begin its climb back to prosperity by acknowledging some hard facts about its past – and future. Education and talent are more important than manufacturing.