Cultivating workforce talent, boosting economic development opportunities and further developing Michigan’s assets such as the international border could help position the state as an economic power.
Some of Michigan’s leading economic and business minds are expected to discuss these and other priorities for 2015 and beyond at a public forum this week hosted by Michigan State University’s Institute for Public Policy and Social Research.
The Jan. 21 event is free and open to the public.
The forum comes as the Michigan Legislature begins a new two-year session with new faces and new leaders who have pledged to work together to avoid gridlock. State officials currently are dealing with a projected budget deficit of more than $300 million.
However, Michigan's unemployment rate dropped to 6.7 percent in November, the lowest rate in nearly nine years, and many officials are optimistic the state and national economies will continue to grow.
Those speaking more about Michigan’s economic future include:
- Richard Studley, chief executive officer of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce.
- Charles Ballard, professor of economics and director of MSU’s State of the State Survey.
- Douglas Smith, senior vice president for strategic partnerships and government affairs for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
- Paul M. Hunt, MSU’s senior associate vice president for research and graduate studies.
- Ann Marie Schneider, IPPSR’s director of program planning and development.
The forum will be 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Jan. 21 in the Mackinac Room of the Anderson House Office Building in Lansing. The public is invited to register for IPPSR forums online or by calling (517) 355-6672. A light lunch is served on a first-come basis.