BLM 2Q 2019 economic forecast: Business leaders predict stable growth for Michigan, U.S.
July 31, 2019
Capital investment, job growth expected to remain stable over next 6–12 months but growing number see downturn ahead DETROIT— A majority of Michigan business leaders expect to continue or boost their investment within the state, despite a growing number anticipating slower state and national economic expansion coming into 2020. “While Michigan’s senior executives remain positive...
Statewide business organizations share statement on budget negotiations
June 20, 2019
The Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Business Leaders for Michigan, the Detroit Regional Chamber, the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, the Lansing Regional Chamber, Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce, the Michigan Realtors Association, the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce and the Midland Business Alliance made the following statement regarding ongoing road funding negotiations: “As...
Statement on auto no-fault insurance reform
May 24, 2019
Statement from Doug Rothwell, President & CEO of Business Leaders for Michigan: “Business Leaders for Michigan applauds Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, and Speaker Lee Chatfield for showing tremendous leadership in coming to agreement on reforming the state’s auto no-fault insurance law. Sky-high costs for auto insurance have been a detriment to...
Business Leaders for Michigan applauds MSF approval of Jobs Ready Michigan
April 23, 2019
LANSING, Mich. – Recognizing growing talent needs, Business Leaders for Michigan (BLM) engaged Public Sector Consultants to research and analyze the job training programs of other states who lead on talent attraction and retention. The result was a report that identified best practices and recommendations to boost Michigan’s profile in supporting global businesses in search...
BLM 1Q 2019 economic forecast: Majority of MI Business Leaders optimistic about state, U.S. economic strength
April 10, 2019
DETROIT— Optimism remains strong among Michigan’s business community, with most leaders anticipating continuing growth during the remainder of 2019. “Michigan’s business leaders remain bullish on their ability to grow jobs and investment, and are anticipating plenty of opportunities on the horizon,” said BLM president & CEO Doug Rothwell. “Any uncertainty expressed by the state’s senior...
Statewide business organizations announce partnership with Governor Whitmer aimed at shaping and approving “Michigan Reconnect” and “MI Opportunity Scholarship”
March 28, 2019
LANSING, March 28, 2019 – Today, four major business organizations announced key support for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s goal of increasing the percentage of Michigan’s workforce with a post high school degree or high-value certificate to 60 percent by the year 2030. Business Leaders for Michigan, the Detroit Regional Chamber, the Grand Rapids Chamber and the...
Business Leaders for Michigan issue infrastructure call to action at Lansing event, release new report outlining transportation funding solutions
March 4, 2019
Transportation investment urgently needed to keep MI competitive LANSING—Michigan’s aging roads and bridges pose a growing threat to our state’s economic vitality, according to a report issued by top business leaders today. Speaking before state policy leaders, executives from Business Leaders for Michigan detailed how decades of underinvestment have created a costly set of challenges...
BLM 4Q 2018 Economic Forecast: Majority of Business Leaders Predict Stable or Growing Jobs and Investment in MI
December 8, 2018
DETROIT— More than 80 percent of Michigan’s largest companies forecast their employment and investment in Michigan will stay the same or increase in the next 6 to 12 months. Their positive outlook notwithstanding, 90 percent of these same leaders believe the state and U.S. economies will stay the same or worsen during that time. “The...
BLM releases 2018 statewide economic benchmarking data
November 12, 2018
DETROIT, Mich.—Business Leaders for Michigan (BLM), the state’s business roundtable, released a major report on the state’s economic performance Monday, highlighting the impact of key policy and investment decisions across Michigan. The annual report, which measures both statewide and regional performance against dozens of indicators, showed Michigan’s economic growth outpacing most other states during 2017....
2018 CEO Summit highlights statewide growth strategies
November 5, 2018
DETROIT — With election day approaching, top leaders from across Michigan came together in Detroit on Thursday, Nov. 1 to focus on tools for business growth, as well as a set of shared strategies for boosting the state’s prosperity over the long term. More than 400 business executives, nonprofit and community leaders, philanthropists, and policymakers...
BLM 3Q 2018 Economic Forecast: Business leaders signal slower growth
October 16, 2018
DETROIT, Mich. – Michigan’s business leaders predict slower growth during the next six to 18 months, according to the latest quarterly survey of Business Leaders for Michigan (BLM) members. While 95 percent of survey respondents expect their companies’ capital investment in Michigan to increase or at least remain the same during the next six months, a...
Business Leaders for Michigan announces new Vice President of Marketing and Communications
September 17, 2018
Anna Heaton, currently Governor Rick Snyder’s Press Secretary, will join Business Leaders for Michigan in early October, the organization announced today. Heaton will serve as Vice President of Marketing and Communications, helping to increase awareness and build support for BLM’s Plan for a Stronger Michigan and key priorities such as education reform, infrastructure and workforce...
Historic alliance of diverse organizations comes together to improve Michigan’s K-12 education outcomes; focus on student needs, future
June 20, 2018
A strong, thriving public education system is the cornerstone for helping Michigan’s children succeed in school, careers and life as well as building robust communities and an economy that works for everyone. It also must be a top state priority, today said “Launch Michigan,” a diverse, never-before assembled group of business, education, labor, philanthropic, and state and community leaders.
Read More2Q 2018 Economic Forecast: Federal Tax Reform Will Continue to Advance U.S. Economy
May 23, 2018
Michigan’s business leaders continue to forecast stronger growth for both the U.S. and state economies specifically citing the continuing effects of federal tax reform, according to the latest quarterly survey of BLM members.
Read MoreBLM Releases Report and Principles on K–12 Education in Michigan
March 20, 2018
BLM issued its review of best practices in K–12 education and a set of principles that can lead to better student performance, with the goal of making Michigan one of the nation’s top 10 states for student learning and talent development.
Read More