Dan Gilmartin Discusses Key Role Communities Play in Job Retention and Growth at Troy Chamber Event

Dan Gilmartin, CEO and executive director of the Michigan Municipal League, was in Troy this morning participating in a panel discussion about talent attraction. The importance of bringing talent to Michigan is a key message in the SaveMICity initiative.

The panel discussion was part of the Troy Chamber of Commerce’s event – Power of the Future: 2019 Economic Forecast. Gilmartin was on the panel with Sandy K. Baruah, CEO of the Detroit Regional Chamber; and Jennifer Llewellyn, director and manager of Workforce Development at Oakland Michigan Works. The panel was moderated by Rod Meloni, WDIV Local TV 4, business editor.

Gilmartin talked about the major role communities play in talent retention and recruitment. Communities, Gimartin said are the backbone of economic growth. In a blog posted last night, Gilmartin expanded on the importance of communities in Michigan’s economic turnaround.

The conversation about improving Michigan’s infrastructure, Gilmartin wrote, should include talk about quality roads and bridges. But the conversation should also focus on the importance of having vibrant parks our children can enjoy; accessible transit systems; first responders who are there for us during some of the worst moments of our lives; and a safe, affordable housing stock.

Michigan hasn’t invested in any of those things in decades. We’re instead stuck in a cycle of scarcity. We don’t invest in community infrastructure, so our cities, villages and townships struggle to provide even basic services, let alone the types of amenities that attract both talent and business. Then we scratch our heads when our population is stagnant, and we can’t attract big employers like Amazon. The reality is that we’re in a worldwide competition for talent and the talent goes to the best places. The places that have invested in their community infrastructure are winning.

Talent is not choosing to live where the potholes are so deep they break their shocks that then puncture their tires. Talent is not choosing to live where they are entirely reliant on cars and do not have access to reliable public transportation. Talent is not choosing to live where the only homes on the market need thousands of dollars in repairs to make them safe and livable. Talent is not choosing to live where the waiting list for affordable housing units has hundreds of people on it. Talent is not choosing to live where there are few options for their children to be exposed to cultural and enrichment activities outside the classroom. Talent is not choosing to live where they cannot safely age in place.

Our new state leadership has an opportunity to chart a different course for Michigan’s future – one where we invest in the community infrastructure needed to attract the best and brightest – and by doing so, for our state to grow.

For more about Gilmartin’s take on this essential issue, read this blog he posted last night about talent retention and what he hopes Governor Gretchen Whitmer discusses in her State of the State address tonight.

Here are some of the live tweets by people attending this morning’s event:

.@Baruah_DRC_CEO shared his insights today on Michigan’s economy and talent attraction on a panel with @DPGilmartin and @Jen_Llewellyn w/ @RodMeloni during @TroyChamberMI 2019 Economic Forecast. #TroyChamberMI

“We have to be ready for the technology tsumani coming at us, if Michigan is to continue to see investments.” – @Baruah_DRC_CEO on next-generation mobility and the automotive industry, @TroyChamberMI 2019 Economic Forecast. #TroyChamberMI

When we talk talent, retention is the key says @Baruah_DRC_CEO for @TroyChamberMI Power of the Future event #troychambermi #workforce #talent #michigan

Great panel @TroyChamberMI event discussing the economy in Michigan lead by @RodMeloni and including @Baruah_DRC_CEO @DetroitChamber @Jen_Llewellyn @oaklandcounty @DPGilmartin @MMLeague #troychambermi – at MSU Management Education Center

Rod Meloni emceeing @TroyChamberMI #PowerofFuture event, featuring Sandy Barauah (President & CEO, Detroit Regional Chamber), Dan Gilmartin (ED & CEO, Michigan Municipal League), and Jennifer Llewelyn (Mgr & Workforce Development Director, Oakland County MI Works! Agency).

Thanks @RodMeloni for moderating our economic future discussion @TroyChamberMI event and our sponsors @manpower @Mahindra_USA – at MSU Management Education Center

Great panel here at the @TroyChamberMI 2019 Economic Outlook! This Michigan weather can’t stop us! #troychambermi

Our 2018 @TroyChamberMI Chair, Mark Kruczek @DoerenMayhew recaps a great year and passes the gavel to @lisa_berden @LinchpinLaw our 2019 Chair! #troychambermi #annualmeeting

Weather can’t stop @TroyChamberMI and Powering the Future: 2019 Economic Outlook – glad to learn from our esteemed panel

Compiled and posted by Matt Bach, director of communications for the Michigan Municipal League. matt can be reached at mbach@mml.org.