Advocacy News – June 7, 2023
How do we reverse Michigan’s five decades-long population decline? That’s an urgent issue facing the Great Lakes State says MI Chamber President & CEO Jim Holcomb, and now a focus of an effort launched by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer this past week. We’d love to hear what ideas or feedback MI Chamber members have, so be sure to take our quick survey.
Why Does It Matter?
As recent nonpartisan policy studies have pointed out, this troubling shrinking population trend will affect the talent pipeline, the level of employment, the demand for goods and services, the tax base and fiscal environment, and the potential for economic growth over the next decade and beyond.
“Growing our state’s population and enhancing our ability to retain and attract talent simply must be a policy priority and bipartisan effort,” Holcomb said. “It is fundamental for our businesses, communities, families, and economy to grow and thrive.”
What Is Happening Now?
The Governor named a bipartisan, 28-person Growing Michigan Together Council, and first-ever chief growth officer, and charged them with identifying specific policies to grow Michigan’s population, including identifying a population goal for 2050.
The Council, which was created by Executive Order 2023-4, will also look at ways to prepare Michigan’s workforce for in-demand jobs and emerging industries by proposing initiatives to improve preK-12 educational outcomes and long-term funding solutions for higher education, including financial aid. Additionally, to meet the needs of a growing, thriving population, the Council will develop long-term, sustainable transportation and water infrastructure funding solutions.
Shirley Stancato, the co-chair of the Council, vice chair of the Wayne State University board of governors and former president and CEO of New Detroit Inc., said population growth is the “most urgent challenge facing Michigan today. The census numbers in the last few decades make that clear. We have a collective responsibility as a state to reverse the tide of Michiganders leaving our state and attract people from outside our borders and perhaps have the opportunity for some folks to come back.”
Tell Us What You Think!
Why does Michigan continue to shrink, and what needs to change to make it grow? Take this brief survey and share your thoughts and ideas. Individual responses will be confidential, and compiled in aggregate and shared with the Council.
Please contact the MI Chamber with any questions at info@michamber.com.