Advocacy News – March 11, 2026
What’s happening: The latest Michigan Future Business Index survey, run by the Michigan Business Network (MBN) with Cinnaire, shows Michigan businesses are rattled. Over 550 companies weighed in from late 2025 to early 2026.
Big picture concerns:
- Tariffs and inflation. CEOs say prices and global trade shocks are slowing growth.
- Talent gap. Skilled workers are hard to find; many candidates are unprepared or unrealistic about job requirements.
- Health care and workforce shifts. Rising costs and retiring boomers are squeezing companies.
- Affordable housing and construction costs. Labor shortages, tariffs and material delays are slowing development timelines.
Michigan Voices:
- Chris Holman, MBN CEO: “I’ve never seen leaders so unnerved and concerned about the future.”
- Jeff Metts, Dowding Industries: Finding the right employees remains an issue for many businesses.
- “It’s to the point I’m going to ask them up front if they can pass a required drug test (alas, many have failed). I’m going to say, ‘Tell me the truth now, and I’ll send you $50 and save us both a lot of wasted time.'”
- Mark McDaniel, Cinnaire CEO: “Without steadier policy, recovery in 2026 risks being slower and more uneven.”
The MI Chamber’s Thought Bubble: Michigan businesses have always proven resilient – but resilience alone can’t offset policy uncertainty, rising costs and workforce shortages. These challenges require action.
- The MI Chamber will continue working with business leaders and policymakers to advance practical, solutions-driven policies that support growth.
- Now is the time for policymakers to wrap their arms around these challenges, focus on outcomes and partner with the business community on real solutions that strengthen Michigan’s economic future.