Chief Growth Officer Doe commented on the initiative, stating, “We are committed to listening to our state’s residents about their hopes and dreams for Michigan. Their voices are the compass guiding us toward a future that is diverse, vibrant and rooted in honest feedback,” said Chief Growth Officer Hilary Doe. “There is no one-size-fits-all solution to growing the population. Findings from the survey have demonstrated this and shined a light on challenges our communities are facing, but also what they love most about calling Michigan home. Leveraging this critical information will allow us to grow a better and bolder Michigan that reflects the aspirations of our diverse communities.”
The input from this survey has been integral in highlighting community challenges and preferences.
The initiative to gather input for Michigan’s growth strategy has reached across the state, with 64 public events held to date, encompassing visits to eight higher education institutions and over 20 conference presentations. These efforts have engaged approximately 3,000 residents in person.
Feedback from these events reveals a strong appreciation among Michiganders for the state’s natural landscapes and recreational activities. Additionally, economic incentives, education quality, job training, and a variety of job opportunities have emerged as key elements for attracting and keeping residents in the state. Considerations also include housing availability, road conditions, and the availability of various modes of transportation within urban areas.
The data collected from these engagements and the survey are being used to shape Michigan’s growth strategy, under the leadership of Chief Growth Officer Hilary Doe, and are also being provided to the Growing Michigan Together Council. This council, established by Governor Whitmer in June 2023, is focused on developing policies to draw talent, enhance education, upgrade infrastructure, and maintain the state’s economic progress. The council is set to deliver its policy recommendations to the governor in December.
The survey’s findings will contribute to the state’s growth strategy and will be shared with the Growing Michigan Together Council, which is tasked with presenting policy recommendations to Governor Whitmer in December. The bipartisan council was established in June 2023 to propose strategies for attracting talent, improving education, and modernizing infrastructure, with the aim of sustaining Michigan’s economic growth.
Residents can contribute their perspectives by visiting growingmichigan.org/survey.
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