Current Projects
Michigan “Dream Restored": “Public Goods” Policy Development and Agenda Setting Project:
Michigan has been challenged to find the public and political will to better support key assets that drive economic growth: investments in education and higher education; our crumbling infrastructure; important community quality of life assets such as parks, arts, transit and libraries; and stewardship of our beautiful outdoors and clean water to make “Pure Michigan” real.
This project will provide independent research and policy development, informed by successful efforts in other states, to drive specific policy proposals that enhance state investment in public goods central to economic growth (education, higher education, infrastructure, outdoors, urban place-making). It will also help our Governor, State Cabinet, State Legislative Leaders, and other civic, business and leadership coalitions and organizations, to embrace, help implement, and be advocates for public goods investment strategies so needed in Michigan.
Click here to see our current Project Advisory Board
Click here to view a digital version of the Michigan Dream Restored: Interim Report on Citizen Research
Advance the “Next Economy” Metro-Urban Strategy for Michigan:
In February 2012, Brookings Institution and Public Sector Consultants released a Michigan Metro-Urban Strategy Report for Michigan. The report is one key element of the Business Leaders for Michigan (BLM) Turnaround plan - a strategic road map for reinventing Michigan’s economic vitality. In the coming months, we will work with Brookings, BLM, Michigan stake holders and Governor Snyder’s administration to support the implementation of key recommendations in these plans, including:
- Urban innovation districts
- 21st Century Places fund
- Public-private investments that can drive urban rejuvenation, manufacturing-innovation centers, workforce policy, export enhancement and immigrant welcoming.
Growing Michigan’s “Blue Economy”:
We understand there are opportunities for Michigan to create new jobs and be a leader in the “green” economy. We are just beginning to appreciate that jobs, talent, and new economic activity can be generated by leadership in the Blue Economy by leveraging our special water and innovation assets to solve global water problems.
The Project will coordinate community outreach, research, and policy development activities, to better define and connect state and local Blue Economy building activities. It will also share exciting ideas across Michigan communities, and drive a state policy agenda and practical actions by multi-sector leaders. For instance, Michigan can be a leader in water research, education, conservation, clean-up, management, and new water-technology enterprise, alongside making our lakes and rivers the centerpiece of community economic development.
Macomb County Blue Water Initiative | The Craig Fahle Show: The Blue Economy
Smart Transportation – New Mobility Solutions for Michigan:
Michigan has tremendous assets and expertise related to the emerging global New Mobility industry. New Mobility brings a range of innovative transportation systems and solutions together with IT to move people and goods more sustainably and efficiently, and at the same time to move toward more livable communities, competitive regions, and revitalized economies. Leading this innovative thinking is the University of Michigan’s SMART (Sustainable Mobility & Accessibility Research & Transformation) initiative, a cross university project of University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) and the Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning.
Thanks to the Alcoa Foundation, Ford Motor Company, and the Rockefeller Foundation the work will support SMART in advancing Michigan-specific research, policies, practices and opportunities related to the emerging global New Mobility industry cluster, in particular new export markets and business and employment opportunities for Michigan. The project will also assist with the implementation of metro-community models, and inform a range of public and private sector policy efforts.
Global Michigan:
Welcoming immigrants and building a global network of relationships are a central strategy for transforming Michigan’s economy. As the architect of Global Detroit, Michigan Economic Center Director, John Austin, provided much of the thinking to support the welcoming of immigrants, global connectivity policy and community practice. That work has spurred the creation of a Governor endorsed statewide effort called Global Michigan. Global Michigan will look to identify, develop and advance tangible policies and programs that enhance Michigan’s welcoming of immigrants, enhance Michigan exports and business relationships abroad, and assist metropolitan communities to organize effective “global” coalitions and practices.
MEC will continue to assist the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, University Research Corridor (URC), BLM, Global Detroit, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s groundbreaking national Partnership for A New American Economy along with other communities in Michigan in meeting the objectives outlined in the ambitious Global Michigan strategy.
Uncommon Education for the Common Man:
As president of the State Board of Education, MEC’s Director Austin also has a platform for advancing the needed educational vision for Michigan, promoting policies that support high standards, improve outcomes,and support for the teachers and administrators who educate our children and young adults. During 2012, the State Board will lead a project to define how Michigan supports the needed pre-K, K- higher education programming and services needed to deliver a quality education.