By Joel Van Woerkom

Michigan Ranked #3 in the Country for New Corporate Development

How can a state that has ranked in the bottom of the nation’s employment rate the last couple years finish #3 in the country for new corporate development the last two years, according to Site Selection magazine?

The state of Michigan has been hard at work trying to attract new businesses to the area and shifting from the automotive industry into other areas of business. While it would be easy to take a negative stance regarding the state of Michigan’s economy, I believe we should take a look at the positive side. New businesses and corporations are building in Michigan, while it may take a while to completely turn around the economy and get unemployment levels back to where they were. Steps are being taken in the right direction.

New corporate projects for Michigan include energy storage and solar firms like the Wixom Renewable Energy Center; advanced battery development and manufacturing firms like LG Chem, who is building a new $303 million plant in Holland to compete with Johnson Controls Saft Advanced Power Solutions; and electric and hybrid vehicle production by GM and Ford; and then there is talk of wind farms on the shores of Lake Michigan.

New businesses, new buildings, and new technology are starting to show up in the area. Michigan is trying to make things easier for businesses to come in by offering tax breaks and renaissance zones, but what do you think? Is Michigan moving in the right direction? What further steps need to be taken?