Mary Sue Coleman 'very optimistic' about Michigan's economic future
University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman said Friday that she believes that Michigan is filled with economic opportunity.
U-M President Mary Sue Coleman
Coleman, speaking Friday to the media at an event organized to highlight U-M's University Research Corridor coalition with Michigan State University and Wayne State University, said the state still faces significant challenges. But she said she's "very optimistic" about the future.
"One of the things that I hear from, at least, business people is we’re become actually a very economical place," she said. "We used to be a high-priced place for companies to come. Now, hey, you can get some pretty good deals here. And it’s beginning to get attention."
Here's a video of Coleman discussing the state's economic woes and opportunities.
Contact AnnArbor.com’s Nathan Bomey at (734) 623-2587 or nathanbomey@annarbor.com. You can also follow him on Twitter.
Comments
G.W. Williams
Mon, Feb 8, 2010 : 10:54 p.m.
Unfortunately, we still are a high-cost state. As one can read at www.michiganturnaroundplan.com, the costs of doing business in Michigan are discouraging job providers from setting up shop here. Our costs are 3 to 4 percent higher than the average state. What can we do about this? How about cutting back on government regulation? Dropping the personal property tax. Reducing the Michigan Business Tax. These steps would all send a clear message around the country (and, hopefully, the world) that Michigan wants new business.
voiceofreason
Mon, Feb 8, 2010 : 2:02 p.m.
To be honest, I believe Ms. Coleman is in a better position to speak about Michigan's economic future than many people here. Yes, she has been insulated from adverse effects of the economic downturn, but at least this has kept her from developing the "Sky is Falling" mentality. I am beginning to think the "usual suspects" on AA.com are not interested in seeing things improve, because they would no longer be able to wallow in self pity. Has anyone considered the possibility that Ms. Coleman's optimism is a cause of her $600,000 salary and not an effect?
katie
Mon, Feb 8, 2010 : 12:07 p.m.
The headline is misleading. If you listen to the video, she is NOT wildly optimistic. The heading under the video is more accurate, saying that she discusses the state's economic woes and opportunities. That's fair to her. I don't think her message is all that bad. However... I think it's ok to look at what opportunities are present. That's optimism. But we need to look at the downside, which is huge. What are the politicians, and those in power like Coleman, doing to make changes about the things that are wrong? That's even better optimism. Problem solving in specific ways, not vague statements would give people some hope. She's saying that the economy's changed and won't go back to the way it was. At least she's being honest there. But what can we do to make a new economy? That's what they need to address. And not just some vagueness about green jobs, either. Programs to address the storm that's now and going to get worse before it gets better. Kucinich is the only politician who seems honest about some of these things. We need more like him. Ron Paul occasionally does this, too. Though he often votes for the status quo at the wrong time. Some honest politicians would be my idea of optimism. Ok, don't flame me. I know that's not going to happen in the real world.
uawisok
Mon, Feb 8, 2010 : 11:17 a.m.
I agree with annarborguy....we are all in this together, hope and optimisim is better than negative cynical thinking(leave that to the 2 major political parties who got us into this great recession and their wall street freinds)Do what we can for our neighbor, lend a helping hand up not a hand out...Peace!
Moose
Mon, Feb 8, 2010 : 11:01 a.m.
It's really easy to be optimistic when you're pulling down $600 G's as opposed to getting your last unemployment check or losing your home or leaving Michigan to find work elsewhere. If she's looking for optimism she might ask the State Legislators to amend some of the laws regarding state institutions and local taxation.
david craven
Mon, Feb 8, 2010 : 10:51 a.m.
This persom should get out of her office more they are in the process of laying off 10-15% of the workers at Detroit Metro Airport because of lack of flights The big drug company left Michigan for greener pastures And the Govoner never saw a TAX she didn't like She now wants to take away a portion of the movie break that is actually bringing jobs to the area Doesn't Lansing get it or you cut taxes and revenue goes up because business wants to be here You want to see how bad it GET OUT OF YOUR OFFICE put on plain clothes and go apply for a job with out your credintals and see what you get
ann_arbor_guy
Mon, Feb 8, 2010 : 10:46 a.m.
Yes, lets attack someone for being optimistic about Michigan. We are all having way too much fun wallowing in self pity at our very own pity party to have any part of that. Optimism will take all of that fun away, how dare you disrupt our party. Grow up people, it's going take all of us to make things better, if you are waiting for things to get better on their own, you are going to have a very long wait. I agree with Ms. Coleman that we all need to be optimistic and do whatever we can do individually to promote new ideas and businesses for the area and for Michigan. It's up to all of us to make things better.
Barb
Mon, Feb 8, 2010 : 9:54 a.m.
I think anyone who still lives in Michigan has faith that things will turn around. We all have to have positive thinking. But having someone who has personally experienced ZERO of the economic downturn around here saying something like this sounds very hollow.
Moose
Mon, Feb 8, 2010 : 9:29 a.m.
If Mary Sue is so optimistic on the Michigan Economy, maybe she will part with a few million as a gift to the city of Ann Arbor.
Barb
Mon, Feb 8, 2010 : 9:22 a.m.
I'm optimistic about some snow finally. That's about it though.
a2phiggy
Mon, Feb 8, 2010 : 9:20 a.m.
Ahhh the perspective of one with such immense personal, institutional and social economic privilege that she can not see the importance of an unjust distribution of 'economic opportunity' that she describes. Simply depressing.
ChelseaBob
Mon, Feb 8, 2010 : 9:02 a.m.
Wasn't she optimistic about Rich Rodriguez too? I hope she's right this time.
Top Cat
Mon, Feb 8, 2010 : 9:01 a.m.
If I were sitting in the gilded cage known as the U of M, pulling in $600,000+ annually with virtually no fear of losing my job, I would feel "very optimistic" as well. Ms. Coleman needs to get out more.