Research 

Since the Michigan Growth Office’s inception, conducting independent research has helped guide our program launches, policy recommendations, and storytelling initiatives. Below is a list of all research and reports the Office has conducted to help ensure our state is on the path to healthy growth and prosperity for every Michigander. We’ve also conducted various polls and surveys that can be accessed here.  

We learned how to create a healthy growth strategy for Michigan. 

• Through comparative analysis with peer states, we identified and analyzed replicable programs and policies that build population growth and economic stability.  

• Our report evaluating  the most successful regional talent attraction and retention programs across the nation found that the most successful programs leverage public and private resources and centered proactive engagement with the community. 

• Program benefits most sought after by young talent are monetary benefits, housing assistance, and higher education opportunities.  

• Drawing from successful regional examples, the Michigan Growth Office launched a first-in-the-nation recruitment and retention program, Make MI Home, in communities across the state to encourage talent to live, work, and play in Michigan.  

• Our report analyzing counties with consistent population and economic growth cycles all demonstrated a commitment to investing in: 

• People (eg.) talent retention and education) 

• Quality of place (eg. Infrastructure, housing, transit, walkability) 

• Economic diversification (eg.) entrepreneurship, innovation, business support) 

These strategies play a pivotal role in creating, maintaining, and growing an economic ecosystem that is both resilient and self-sustaining. 

Michigan is largely on the right track.  

• Actions taken in recent years show improvements in each of these key areas and align with the priorities of Michigan’s Blueprint for Growth. 

• To date, we’re seeing the impacts of these strategic initiatives.  

• 5th largest acceleration in the growth of the 25-44 year old population of any state nationwide 

• 86% labor force participation among young adults in Michigan, improving since 2004 

• 45.8% improvement in net migration between 2015-2023 and 35k+ more residents moving to Michigan than leaving Michigan in 2023. On average, Michigan is losing fewer residents to other states each year. 

• Specifically, the average impact of each additional Michigander recruited or retained, contributes to the states economic resilience and supports:   

• 1.68 jobs  

• $100,149 labor income  

• $186,000 GDP (value-added)  

• $12,200 state taxes 

• These numbers translate into real and tangible benefits that impact every Michigander. 

Research Report Glossary

Economic Resilience Report

In partnership with Guidehouse, August 2025

Over the long-term, the only thing certain is uncertainty. While we know there will be inevitable economic ebbs and flows irrespective of your industry or state, maintaining healthy growth and building shared prosperity is critical. The following report provides insight as to which investments and policy actions are the best bets to ensure communities are economically resilient—able to grow, in times of good and bad, while increasing GDP, median incomes, and retaining talent to grow the population.  

–> Click to download the report.

Building on Michigan’s Blueprint for Growth, the Michigan Growth Office partnered with Guidehouse to discover the formula for economic resilience by learning from communities that have successfully demonstrated it nationwide. We analyzed counties across the nation over 25 years, identifying 6 counties that created strong GDP, income, and population growth that spans decades.

Regardless of region and irrespective of differences, these most resilient counties all demonstrated a commitment to investing in:

• people (eg. talent retention, education and access)
• quality of place (eg. infrastructure, housing/transit/walkability)
• economic diversification, especially through development of entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems (eg. business support, economic development focused on wage growth)

These three strategies appear to play a pivotal role in creating, maintaining, and growing an economic ecosystem that is both resilient and self-sustaining—resilience that is inextricably linked to healthy population retention and growth. 

How can this inform next steps for Michigan’s future?  

To continue building momentum, we can learn from the lessons of communities across the country, and invest in:

• Economic Security: Boost incomes and financial stability through good jobs, wage growth, and affordable homeownership, especially for lower-income and first-time buyers. See our Make MI Home program for opportunities across the state.  

• Economic Diversification: Strengthen Michigan’s economy by supporting entrepreneurs, growing key industry hubs, and attracting resilient investments.  

• Education & Workforce: Retain talent with intentional programs to kickstart growth, while aligning education and training with in-demand jobs, scholarship expansion, and reducing barriers to workforce participation. 

• Infrastructure: Modernize transportation, water, and energy systems; improve transit access to jobs, schools, and services — especially in underserved areas. 

• Community Resources: Invest in strong K–12 schools, parks, and neighborhood assets to attract families and close achievement gaps. 

• Social Mobility: Expand access to healthcare, childcare, and essential services to lower costs and help more Michiganders participate in the economy.