VISION
The Michigan Institute for Growth & Opportunity (MI-GO) is the nation’s first statewide institute focused on healthy economic & population growth—an existential challenge for communities across the country, and a critical indicator of future-ready workforces connected to accessible opportunity, strong economies with shared prosperity, and thriving, resilient communities that are magnets for talent.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
People are our greatest assets. The foundation of any thriving economy is the action required to retain our working families, recent grads, and grow our communities statewide. From developing accessible opportunities and investing in diverse economies, to building great places to live, work, and play, creating healthy population projections demands that people of all kinds see Michigan as the best place to build their brightest future.
Over the next two decades, we’ll face our greatest challenges as a state, country and global community. The speed of change and stakes of inaction are unprecedented. Growth in the face of population declines is one of those challenges; one that some consider impossible to reverse. What we do now (or don’t) will set the course for our future—in some cases, irreversibly.
It’s time to make the impossible, possible; If we can take on these big challenges—through bold policy, innovative programs, and engaged communities—we must.
We’re building MI-GO to do just that.
WHY FOCUS ON ECONOMIC & POPULATION GROWTH?
I. Population growth is a uniting issue—a top priority for both our fastest-growing industries in need of talent, as well as the communities still experiencing the pain and urgency of population declines up close. For this reason, sustainable growth is a framework for progress; a path to a brighter future for all Michiganders—current and future. This is an area of work where we can get things done. People of all kinds can come together around growth in order to advance critical policies, implement important programs, and deliver on a holistic vision for Michigan where our all people can build their absolute brightest future.
II. Michigan is a trailblazer on this critical issue. MI-GO builds on that leadership, driving healthy growth and applying lessons learned to engage our communities and produce nation-leading research and policy.
VALUES
Whether in our policy work, program design, or community engagement, the following values guide MI-GO’s work in all we do.
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Dream big.
We lead from a place of what is right, not just what’s possible. -
Solve boundlessly.
We pursue bold solutions with unwavering determination and boundless creativity. -
Listen first.
We build agendas, programs, marketing efforts and products under the guidance of the communities we hope to serve; we listen first, act second, and share progress for feedback. -
Accomplish Impossible, together.
We make the impossible possible by tackling audacious challenges in community. Many hands make light work.
PRIORITY AREAS OF WORK
As established by the Growing Michigan Together Council, a foundation for healthy growth requires intentional focus on increasing median incomes, building resilient and sustainable communities, and developing a workforce prepared for the future. After engagement with Michiganders, as well as young people and families nationwide, the critical importance of safe, truly welcoming communities also emerged as an area of critical importance. Our priority areas of work at MI-GO are designed to directly address these challenges and opportunities, including:
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Building shared prosperity and economic opportunity, including through retention of talent and support of entrepreneurs & small business ecosystems that drive economic diversity and power long-term growth.
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Developing top-performing, accessible, future-ready education systems for lifelong learners, while improving childcare and Pre-K access, K-12 performance and critical post-secondary attainment.
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Creating places that are “magnets for talent” (Growing Michigan Together Council Report, 2023), meaning they are sustainable and resilient, walkable and amenity-rich, and with accessible housing and transit.
- Ensuring community safety, openness, and protection of democracy and essential freedoms; the welcoming nature & safety of our communities, ensured by responsiveness to our citizens and openness to our neighbors, is of critical importance to both resident & worker retention / attraction.
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Building shared prosperity and economic opportunity, including through retention of talent and support of entrepreneurs & small business ecosystems that drive economic diversity and power long-term growth.
Meet The Team
