Mission Statement:
Spotlight Michigan seeks to promote a more innovative and entrepreneurial culture in Michigan by cultivating and spotlighting young, talented, and entrepreneurial communities for the new economy.

Problem:
As the world transitions into a global 21^st century economy, Michigan has failed to remain competitive and progress from its industrial past.

A century of dependence on manufacturing jobs and the subsequent decline of the automotive industry have drawn national attention to Michigan’s dire economic conditions.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the state’s unemployment rate spiked to 15.3% in September 2009– the highest in the nation.

Rigid economic institutions and widespread perception that our state lacks opportunities have increased outbound migration of Michigan’s college graduates.  As a result, more than 15,000 adults, a third of them holding a four-year degree or more, left Michigan in 2006-2007 alone (Michigan Future Inc.). If Michigan cannot retain or attract highly innovative people to start or expand enterprises in our state, it will be impossible to increase the human or physical capital necessary for Michigan to reinvent itself.

We believe strongly that we must work to discover which attributes of place attract and/or keep the type of people Michigan needs to initiate a new wave of entrepreneurship and innovation.

Spotlight Michigan plans to discover these attributes and work toward fostering their development.