YEA !

Many, not all in Michigan live in a state of denial: We are, and always will be, DA MOTOR CAPITAL OF DA WORLD. The fact is, we are not. And that’s OK!

If we are truly concerned about financing our enemies (real and imagined) with oil money; and if we are truly concerned about global warming due to emissions, then maybe, just maybe, it’s time to consider becoming THE MASS TRANSPORTATION CAPITAL OF THE WORLD.

Thirty years ago this would be considered to be pure blasphemy in Metro Detroit – and for that matter, all of Michigan. Of course who, thirty years ago, would think that the “Ruskies,” you know, “The Evil Empire,” would now be considered to be our pals? Times have changed folks.

While many definitions of “The Global Economy” abound, one thing that is certainly an underlying component is that U.S. legacy systems (like transportation) are ALL threatened. But this can spell opportunity.

While overpriced auto executives who made some remarkably bad decisions (like continuing to push production of the Gassasaurus Guzzaloris) go whining to Washington, others, like Megabus.com ...

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070316/METRO05/703160388

are seizing the moment. YEA!!!

BUILD IT; THEY WILL COME

The consensus of political and policy-making opinion in the state, led by the Governor, appears to be that the magnet for diversifying Michigan’s economy and attracting new business is a highly skilled and educated workforce. As some suggest, the cost of access to a tuition-free baccalaureate degree for all would be overshadowed by the economic benefits of business start-ups and relocations to the state.

However, Michigan is currently experiencing an out-migration of its young, educated workers. The mobility of today’s workforce is unprecedented with colleges exporting graduates to where the jobs are across the nation and world. If Michigan were to matriculate more individuals with MBA degrees in Finance, would the most talented aspire to work in one of the state’s “cool cities” or on “Wall Street”?

Okay, Michigan is not the financial headquarters of the world, but we consider ourselves the automobile capital. With a well established infrastructure of engineering and design services and robotic technology; a highly skilled, educated workforce to meet the demands of advanced manufacturing processes would surely make the state a more attractive choice for motor vehicle production.

Breaking News: Toyota announces an investment of $1.3 billion to locate a SUV assembly plant in Mississippi that will employ 2,000 workers.

The percent of individuals 25 years and older, who have completed high school according to the U.S. Census Bureau (2005):
Michigan 87.0%
Mississippi 78.0% (ranks 50th in the nation)

Those 25 years and older who have completed a bachelor’s degree.
Michigan 24.7%
Mississippi 18.7% (ranks 49th in the nation)

It doesn’t appear that an existing highly educated workforce was a salient factor in Toyota’s decision.

The average weekly wage for manufacturing workers in 2006 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:
Michigan $925.34
Mississippi $542.52

The percent of wage and salary workers represented by unions (2006):
Michigan 20.4%
Mississippi 7.3%

It’s unlikely that Toyota will experience difficulty in filling positions across all skill levels and that economic and labor issues bore heavily on their decision. Surely, a highly skilled and educated workforce is a desirable state amenity, but should it be given the ranking as one of the state’s highest priorities for attracting business and achieving industrial diversity?

BUILD IT; THEY WILL COME from Michigan and other parts of the country.