Last year, I became the first chief growth officer of a U.S. state, tasked with leading Michigan’s efforts to grow its population, economy, and reputation as an ideal place to live, work, and raise a family.
A state’s population trends are critical to a community’s “bottom line.” Healthy growth can provide numerous benefits throughout communities and to the broader economy. This includes expanding the labor force, the market for goods and services, and the pool of potential innovators and entrepreneurs, fostering new ideas and business ventures. Growth also strengthens the tax base to pay for schools, public amenities, and spaces that enhance quality of life.
