Allendale, MI (WZZM) Five West Michigan leaders say we have a lot going well in our local economy, despite the recession we are in right now. That was the message heard by more than 100 people this morning in Muskegon.
Congressman Pete Hoekstra, who moderated the discussion, told the crowd West Michigan, with its resources and work ethic, should be well-positioned to do well once the state, national and world economies improve. He also said Michigan should receive around $800 million in federal stimulus money. But, he stressed we need to use that money to restructure our economy. If we don’t, Hoekstra says we are simply pushing our problems 2 years down the road.
That was a theme echoed by Thomas Haas, president of Grand Valley State University. He told the audience the days of “low-skill, high-wage jobs are in our rear-view mirror.” He proudly pointed out 80% of GVSU graduates stay in Michigan to work and that the school is the area’s top provider of health care graduates.
President Haas also wanted everyone to know about what he calls the Ottawa County Stimulus Plan. So far, about $90 million in new construction has been spent on the Allendale campus. Soon, 1300 construction workers will start on another $52 million in new infrastructure projects.
Huntington Bank President Jim Dunlap also shared some positive stories with the group. He told the story of how Priceline came to West Michigan. The area was in competition with more than 100 other cities. West Michigan was in the final running when Priceline executives came to town and had dinner in downtown Grand Rapids. The Priceline executives asked the waitress what she thought of Grand Rapids. Her response: she loves it, its her home and she moved back after college. Dunlap called that a ‘multi-million dollar conversation.’
wzzm13.com
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