Michigan State students to unveil policy solutions for Michigan’s economy at the capitol

Contact: Ross Emmett, James Madison College: (517) 432-6139, emmettr@msu.edu; or Meredith Mescher, University Relations: (517) 432-0305, mescherm@ur.msu.edu

April 18, 2007

EAST LANSING, Mich. — The phrase “Michigan is in need of an economic turnaround” may seem like an obvious statement for which there is no easy solution.

That’s why a group of Michigan State University students has been hard at work coming up with a policy resolution that could be the cure for what’s ailing the state and which they will present at the capitol. The event will be held in the hallway of the second floor on the Senate-side of the Capitol Building from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 25.

At the beginning of the semester, students in the James Madison College’s Michigan Futures in the Global Economy research seminar were charged with the task of studying the state’s economic climate and key industries. They will present some of the policy solutions they believe can pull Michigan out of its economic slump and open the doors to businesses, especially high-tech startup companies.

“We hope to urge Michigan policymakers to acknowledge that Michigan's economy is in a state of crisis. Our research on key Michigan industries has led us to believe that our state needs to make the transition from old-world manufacturing to a new, high-technology economy of today,” said Amy Fredrickson, an international relations senior in the research seminar.

“Our resolution lists various policy recommendations based on our research to help turn this state around. We hope to gain support for our resolution by having interested parties sign the document,” she said.

The students’ research materials will be available to the public during their visit. These include copies of the resolution, executive summaries of industry reports, brochures for the Michigan Center for Innovation and Economic Development and one copy of each full industry report.

“Knowledge of how Michigan's high-tech sectors compare with similar sectors in other countries and other regions of the United States is crucial to our ability to understand both the challenges we face and the opportunities we may take advantage of as we continue to develop our new economy,” said Ross Emmett, a James Madison professor and co-director of the Michigan Center for Innovation and Economic Prosperity.

“The research the students have undertaken in the seminar is a large step toward providing that knowledge in a framework that can be used by entrepreneurs, industry leaders and policy makers,” he added.

The Michigan Futures seminar is the first applied public policy undergraduate research seminar in the state of Michigan. It is a core activity of the Michigan Center for Innovation and Economic Prosperity at MSU that explores the industries and policies that will propel Michigan into the 21st century economy.

To learn more about the economic prosperity center, visit www.jmc.msu.edu/mciep/index.html.

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