The West Michigan Policy Forum (WMPF) recently wrapped up its highly anticipated biennial conference in Grand Rapids, where nearly 300 business leaders, policymakers, and community advocates gathered to address the urgent economic challenges facing Michigan.
This year’s discussions centered on critical areas necessary to position Michigan as a top-10 state for business. Unfortunately, many of the recent policies coming out of Lansing are moving the state in the opposite direction. Attendees expressed deep concern over anti-business legislation passed this session, including the repeal of Michigan’s Right-to-Work law and reinstatement of the outdated prevailing wage law.
WMPF Chair John Kennedy’s remarks reflect a growing consensus among Michigan’s business community that immediate action is required to reverse our state’s economic decline. Michigan’s current trajectory of increased taxes, stringent regulations, and ill-conceived energy mandates risks driving businesses—and jobs—out of the state.
The event served as a clarion call for immediate reforms to create a more business-friendly climate and boost our state’s economic competitiveness. According to U.S. News and World Report, the state of Michigan has steadily declined in rankings on various important issues since 2019. These issues included education, the economy, infrastructure and fiscal stability.
The forum’s keynote speaker, Marci Rossell, former chief economist at CNBC, provided critical insights into global economic trends and their implications for Michigan. In her address, “Driving Michigan’s Economic Growth,” Rossell emphasized the importance of policies that foster innovation and attract investment to the state.
Michigan’s small business leaders also had their say during a panel discussion featuring entrepreneurs like Jose Gonzalez of Preferred Flooring, Jacey Shachter of Metric Structures, and Jeff Lobdell of Restaurant Partners Management. These business owners shared their firsthand experiences with Michigan’s increasingly hostile business climate and called for reforms that make it easier to start, run, and grow a business in the state.
Dr. Michael Strain of the American Enterprise Institute offered a roadmap to economic recovery in his presentation, “The Way Forward.” He laid out concrete steps Michigan must take to encourage job creation, including reducing barriers to business entry, reforming the tax code, and developing a more dynamic workforce.
The conference concluded with a renewed call to action for policymakers and business leaders to work together to create a more competitive and business-friendly Michigan while holding elected leaders accountable. The Policy Forum has created a Michigan Legislative Scorecard to highlight the critical votes taken by state legislators, providing transparency and insight into how their decisions affect everyone’s well-being.
Your help is needed as well. Please contact your state representatives and senators and tell them to implement policies that will improve our business climate and create jobs.
