LANSING - State Representative Marie Donigan (D-Royal Oak) today was joined by a panel of business leaders as she hosted a town hall meeting exploring the state's business environment and how Michigan can attract the good-paying jobs of the future.
"We need to diversify and strengthen Michigan's economy as the business climate across the world becomes more and more competitive," Donigan said. "We also need to support commercialization, capital investment and commercial lending efforts in the areas of life sciences, alternative energy, advanced manufacturing, and homeland security to move Michigan forward and become a leader in the 21st century global economy."
Donigan was joined at the event by State Representative Andy Meisner (D-Ferndale), Chair of the House Commerce Committee; Alysia R. Green, Project Coordinator for Automation Alley; and Pat Salo, the Associate Regional Director of the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center.
Donigan explained that Michigan is at a critical crossroads as the ever-evolving global business climate presents many challenges for the state's residents, particularly as the manufacturing sector continues to suffer massive job losses.
According to the Department of Labor and Economic Growth, Michigan's current unemployment rate is at 7.2 percent. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the nation's unemployment rate is 4.5 percent.
"My top priority is fighting to create the good-paying jobs of the future right here in OaklandCounty," Donigan added. "We wanted to provide an environment at the town hall where middle-class families can learn what is being done about employment issues relating to job outsourcing, Michigan's business climate, and how the state is helping our working families. We must invest in the people of this state to build a stronger Michigan and get our economy moving in the right direction."