MACKINAC ISLAND (WWJ) – As state and local leaders descend on Mackinac Island this week for the annual Mackinac Policy Conference, a major focus for many is finding ways Michigan can attract young people to the state – and keep those already here from leaving.
The focus on attracting and retaining young people comes as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer rolled out a new plan dubbed “Make it in Michigan,” aimed at doing just that.
Whitmer’s office calls it “a comprehensive economic strategy to keep winning projects, invest in people from pre-K through postsecondary, and revitalize places in every region of the state.”
While more details and elements of the plan will be rolled out in the coming weeks, the governor’s office says it will aim to make Michigan a destination for top talent and make the state more competitive in “key sectors like research & development, advanced manufacturing, and clean tech.--electric vehicles, batteries, semiconductor chips to ensure long-term economic strength.
Other focuses include giving entrepreneurs and young companies opportunities and resources to grow and expand. One of the strategies will include building more housing, expanding and lowering the cost of child care, making high-speed internet easily available and redeveloping vacant or blighted properties.
University of Michigan President Santa Ono told WWJ Wednesday the school is ready to work with leaders to make the state more attractive to young people, noting about half of Michigan’s alumni already live in the state.
“Moving forward we want to work with every level of government and with companies to make this a more sticky place for our graduates, whether they’re Michiganders or domestic students from other states or international students,” Ono said.
Ono says one trend that benefits Michigan is that young people are choosing to move away from the coasts because the cost of living is too high.
“The trends are actually looking very positive. Students are actually moving away from the coasts because it’s just not affordable. You know, you can buy a very nice house in Metro Detroit for $200,000-350,000,” he said.
“Moving forward we want to work with every level of government and with companies to make this a more sticky place for our graduates, whether they’re Michiganders or domestic students from other states or international students.”
Ono says one thing Michigan has going is that the east and west coasts are pricing out college grads.
“The trends are actually looking very positive. Students are actually moving away from the coasts because it’s just not affordable. You know, you can buy a very nice house in Metro Detroit for $200,000-350,000. A very nice house.”
The three pillars of Whitmer’s “Make it in Michigan” plan are Projects, People, and Places.
She is “focused on competing for and winning Projects to bring manufacturing and supply chains home, investing in People so they can pursue their potential from pre-K through postsecondary and have their personal freedoms protected, and revitalizing Places to make them more attractive places to live, work, and invest,” a press release from the governor’s office says.
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