July 18 was a transformational step for Global Detroit, southeast Michigan, and our state.  Nearly 500 business, nonprofit, ethnic, immigrant, media, philanthropic, and government leaders joined together at the New Michigan Media conference at Wayne State University on “Immigration and Michigan’s Economic Future.”  We were fortunate to hear from Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg, Compuware’s Peter Karmanos, Detroit City Councilman Ken Cockrel, Jr. and others who all reiterated that, “Immigrants don’t take jobs.  They are job makers.”

Written by: Sam Singh, Senior Consultant, New Economy Initiative

I had the opportunity to attend last week’s State of the State address as the guest of Rep. Mark Meadows (D-East Lansing.) There was much speculation prior to the speech on how Governor Granholm would use her last address to the people of Michigan. Little did I know her speech would be so focused on the very things that make up the strategies of NEI.