Business Leaders Say Community Investment Key to Economic Development and Growth

Although Michigan has worked to become more “business-friendly” in recent years, it is clear that the state still has plenty of room to improve. Business Leaders for Michigan President and CEO Doug Rothwell and Small Business Association of Michigan CEO Rob Fowler sat down with Michigan Radio’s Stateside to share their thoughts on what it will take to become a leading state in terms of business growth and talent attraction.

“Communities need business, and business needs talent, and talent wants place,” Fowler said. “We have to invest in infrastructure because that is part of Michigan as a state, as a place. But it is more than just better roads–it’s really a 21st century infrastructure system that includes public transit, places people can walk….that’s what talent wants.”

This echoed Dan Gilmartin’s statement responding to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s State of the State address, making clear that in order to attract business and talent to Michigan, it is necessary to invest in every aspect of community infrastructure, from parks and transit systems to first responders and affordable housing. Talent and businesses choose to go to the best places, and the best places are those that invest in their communities.

“Business understands that you need to make some strategic investments to grow your business, grow your enterprise — you can’t just cut your way to growth,” Rothwell said. “Both talent and infrastructure are the two big issues that Michigan still has not addressed as fully as it should. To solve the infrastructure issue we’re going to have to spend more money.”

Listen to Rothwell and Fowler’s full conversation at the Michigan Radio website.