Nickname: Michi-gander

Review: A proposal was recently floated that in order to attract this talent, everyone that comes to a Michigan University could get a subsidized higher education. This will supposedly attract geniuses from around the world, that will in turn devise a plan to "save us." Yes, these are the things we read in the papers here. But Michigan has been "dying" for the last 20 years. In the next twenty years, with its large and growing Arab population, Michigan may become the France of North America. Many folks are scared; they are losing their homes, businesses and life savings. Hundreds of companies are on death-row. Maybe the "smart" people are leaving because they can't find jobs because no one wants to invest in a high-cost, high-tax state. Other folks would leave but can't sell their homes. There is over a year's market supply in some parts of the state. Many of these "talent based" initiatives are based on arrogance. Perhaps its time for us to start facing reality.

Date reviewed: Mar 14, 2006 1:45 AM

Nickname: Arnottski

Review: I think it is just great that Granholm is putting the State's muscle and influence behind this effort. Even if she were only successful in changing purchasing policy, it would make a significant difference. I also think it's terrific that she is linking design and engineering to entrepreneurship, for that is what is going to create jobs.

Date reviewed: Mar 6, 2006 8:15 PM

Nickname: Designer

Review: This is a laudable goal for Michigan's governor, but in order for a city or a state to be able to call itself a design center, it will need a core of high quality practicing designers, and cities like Detroit, Holland, or Benton Harbor, Michigan just don't have what it takes to lure designers from Boston, New York, San Francisco, or Southern California.

Date reviewed: Mar 6, 2006 5:43 PM

Nickname: thrillhouse

Review: This is all well and good, but it's a bit like some of these smaller Asian countries declaring that they are going to become the innovation capital of the world. But it's not something you can force. At least not in a democracy:) I question whether the state of MI is willing to put the correct incentives and programs in place to actually foster this sort of thing. If so, then more power to them.

Date reviewed: Mar 2, 2006 10:45 PM

Nickname: J.newbourne

Review: West Michigan is hurting. What Granholm doesn't talk about in the article is our high unemployment numbers over the past few years (La. and Miss. are worse..Katrina). I'm not one of those people who thinks that it is her fault, however, this state is not friendly to business or any industry outside of furniture, manufacturing, or furniture. I believe outsourcing to be painful for the individual, but better for the whole. Right now, we have the opportunity to really put Michigan on the global fast track, or fail miserably and become backwards. Since we have been hit harder than anyone by outsourcing, it will take a while for us to come back, but I believe that we may be stronger than other state's economies because we realize that everything can be outsourced so we must differentiate and innovate to stay employable. We all are perplexed when we read about the economy turning around because things only seem to do worse.

Date reviewed: Mar 1, 2006 3:55 PM