New Report Shows Immigrants Play Critical Role to Michigan’s Population Growth, Economy
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New Report Shows Immigrants Play Critical Role to Michigan’s Population Growth, Economy --
Michigan is the first state in the US to have a statewide immigrant integration plan, the Michigan Global Talent Initiative. Given the state’s demographic history and the clear relationship between population growth and economic growth, including immigrants is critical to the future of all Michiganders.
The need, and MGTI goal.
The Michigan Global Talent Initiative will help grow Michigan's population and accelerate economic growth across the state. It will do this by directly including immigrants into the state's talent initiatives. Under this approach, our programming is designed to add over 100,000 skilled immigrant workers to Michigan's workforce by 2030.
Making the case in Michigan.
Numerous studies have noted that Michigan, like many areas of America, is facing serious demographic challenges. Michigan is rapidly aging and the state is losing working-aged population, as well as students to keep our colleges open and to serve as tomorrow’s workforce. Population loss has devastated our urban neighborhoods and rural communities and led to hiring shortages, threatening our competitiveness and shared prosperity. Immigration, on the other hand, has been the source of all net population growth in Michigan over the last 30 years.
By better integrating immigrants into our workforce development, education, talent and economic development strategies and programs, Michigan can be a leading state in combating current population trends and building a prosperous future for Michigan families and communities.
New Report Shows Immigrants Play Critical Role to Michigan’s Population Growth, Economy
May 29, 2024— A new report, Contributions of New Americans in Michigan, released by the American Immigration Council— in partnership with the Michigan Global Talent Coalition —underscores the crucial role immigrants play in the state’s population growth, labor force, business creation, and consumer spending power. Key points include:
Immigrants are helping the state meet crucial labor force demands.
Immigrants launch businesses that create jobs and contribute to our economy.
Immigrants are crucial to addressing Michigan's population challenges.
“The Michigan Global Talent Initiative represents a broad consensus from business, government, higher education, economic development and talent experts on the importance of global talent to our economic well-being across the state. It positions Michigan as the first state in the nation to develop and fund a comprehensive immigrant inclusion strategy for a workforce development initiative like Sixty by 30’s post-secondary degree attainment program. Michigan has been recognized as a national leader for this vision and execution, but it will be the collaboration and buy-in by employers, local chambers, state and local economic development agencies, municipal government and others that make these strategies work and that make Michigan a growing, prosperous and vibrant state.”
— Steve Tobocman, Founding Executive Director of Global Detroit