[FERRETI]

The auto industry does not exist and the state does not have tourism either.What does Michigan have or how is it going to turn around? To do that it must be the first one in engineering something none else in this world can.That would be pipe dreams though.

[Driller1]

Medical, maybe we can store the baby-boomers. Tourism is not a pipe dream at all. I still think we need a hurricane. As bad as the floods are to the west and south of us, it will put money in their economy. Things will cycle around, maybe life styles will change but, we will survive!!!

[Cliffie]

Originally Posted by FERRETI

The auto industry does not exist and the state does not have tourism either.What does Michigan have or how is it going to turn around? To do that it must be the first one in engineering something none else in this world can.That would be pipe dreams though.

There are a few glimmers of hope. Scrod knows there are thousands of people who want jobs loitering around the empty welding and assembly shops downtown. There is NO reason some new industry -- or preferably several of them -- couldn't come in and start creating prosperity.

Think of Changing World Technologies. This is an Ohio-based company working the bugs out of its system to boil organic garbage (including plastics!) down into fuel oil. Last I heard they were producing 40 barrels a day. One of the things they're thinking about is opening more plants in other states, including Michigan. Certainly we have plenty of garbage, including Canada's. Hey man you can have mine! Adjunct companies designed to collect and transport these smelly treasures would spring up.

I can't believe we couldn't convert a disused steel mill or two into new recycling plants for the glass and metal CWT has no use for. There's serious, serious money in that.

And we have tons of room for more Internet-based companies like Google, eBay and Craigslist. And cottage industries like plant nurseries, specialty food plants that make things like gluten-free pasta and low-fat vegan corndogs, publishing companies, and let's face it people, Michigan finally needs its own major movie studio.

Lack of investors is a real problem, though. We may have to go to an entirely new business model, with neighborhoods applying for startup grants so that unemployed adults in that catchment zone can get work at the new local industry.

[allbusiness]

Troll. Don't bother.

[baystater]

There have already been many post in other treads on the Michigan forum. That offer solutions to Michigan's woes. Please read through the Michigan forum for them.

[Cliffie]

OK, the idea are out there, but who is out there to invest in the ideas?

Where is Jim Buckmaster when we need him?