A knowledge-based economy may be the best hope for long-term economic recovery by states like Michigan that were built upon manufacturing as the core industry. To realize this hope, the conference organizers believe that universities can and should play an important role in building such a knowledge-based economy.
Check another article in the Seattle Press-Intelligencer site about jobs added by Microsoft in Seattle:
Microsoft's move bodes well for the city, said Bill McSherry, economic development director of the Puget Sound Regional Council.
"If anything, it reinforces the notion that our economy is going to grow as fast as we can supply well-educated and well-trained people," McSherry said. "If there's one thing we need to continue to work on, it's more and better education" to help companies fill these kinds of jobs.
These two examples underscore the basic truth that more support for education is the best way to build a base for improved economies. The big difference between the two regions is that leaders in the Puget Sound area actually believe it. In Michigan we have the state legislature making power plays and practicing their political posturing for power at the expense of growth.
All we have to do is look at the numbers: we've lost manufacturing jobs by the truckload in Michigan, but thousands of desirable high-tech jobs have begun to replace them, diversifying the economy and building for the future. We educate outstanding scholars here in Michigan, but the status quo continues wallow in an outmoded view of the world... and that is what forces our young people to take their top-notch education to other states, where they are snapped up to build new economies. The legislature needs to support all education, including the institutions that provide basic research, and those that educate people who will work in the new economy. We know what needs to be done; now the Michigan legislature needs to follow through and fund our schools and colleges.
