[baystater]

Would a mass exodus from Michigan be a bad thing for the state?

Would a large migration out of the state allow for breathing room to renew, rebuild, and reshape the state? Or is it only a bad thing when a large amount of the population leaves?

What are the real positives and negatives that you guys see from this situation?

[Northman]

Breathing room? What does that mean? Don't get it.

The exodus out of Michigan has been going on for over 30 years now. Where have you been? Take a look at what's happened to this state over that period of time and you'll have your answer.

I just don't understand the premise of your topic. How could a state possibly ever benefit - and I assume we're talking economically - from losing a substantial portion of its population?

Unfortunately, the ones we WANT to go - like Granholm & Kilpatrick - won't.

[Bydand]

Originally Posted by Northman

Unfortunately, the ones we WANT to go - like Granholm & Kilpatrick - won't.

That statement alone is worth some rep points

[magellan]

A mass exodus from Michigan wouldn't be good for Michigan, or for the country for that matter. The ripple effects would be felt all over.

[baystater]

Originally Posted by magellan

A mass exodus from Michigan wouldn't be good for Michigan, or for the country for that matter. The ripple effects would be felt all over.

In what ways magellan? You've peaked my interest.

[malamute]

It depends on who leaves. What if all the welfare and unemployed packed up and left? That would benefit the state. If all the working types leave then that wouldn't be so good. Michigan can have less people, it had many less people back when it was doing well.

[Ann_Arbor]

Sensitive topic, but very reasonable to consider

Detroit is clearly over populated, meaning, the city size (area and pop.), is still very large and will never fully recover without a dramatic land-use plan to reorganization of the city's intended, grid layout. Many are thinking about landscaping/planting vacant lots and even urban agriculture.

[magellan]

Originally Posted by baystater

In what ways magellan? You've peaked my interest.

$353 Billion dollars in Gross State Product just pulled from the American economy would be quite a blow. Plus, much of the country's resources for power production and other industries travels the Great Lakes through the St. Lawrence Seaway. With no one in Michigan at the helm (at the Soo Locks for instance), commerce would come to a halt.

The amount of trade that crosses between Windsor, Ontario and Detroit every year is more than all of the trade between the U.S. and Japan. I guess American and Canadian consumers and companies just won't need that stuff anymore?

[baystater]

Originally Posted by magellan

$353 Billion dollars in Gross State Product just pulled from the American economy would be quite a blow. Plus, much of the country's resources for power production and other industries travels the Great Lakes through the St. Lawrence Seaway. With no one in Michigan at the helm (at the Soo Locks for instance), commerce would come to a halt.

The amount of trade that crosses between Windsor, Ontario and Detroit every year is more than all of the trade between the U.S. and Japan. I guess American and Canadian consumers and companies just won't need that stuff anymore?

Thank you for your reply.

Well........what is the percentage of Michigan's population involved in these jobs? It it that large? It seems to be lack of jobs/industry that hounding Michigan right now. At least from my perpective.

Now let me just say, I'm not saying everyone would be leaving Michigan but a somewhat large percentage of the population. Mostly ones that can't find or create there own jobs.

[YAZ]

What we're seeing is that educated & skilled folks are leaving in droves. That hurts in many areas.

1. People with money spend money and pay taxes. New home construction goes down, tax base goes down, etc.

2. Companies won't be willing to expand or locate in MI when there's a lack of talent in the area.

3. Those that stay in MI will see a rise in the cost of living, mainly higher taxes, as the state government will try to recoup the losses much quicker than cutting back.