The Michigan Economic Development Corporation: A Review and Analysis

Video by Kathy Hoesktra, Mackinac Center communications specialist

Contents

• Executive Summary
• Introduction
• The Rationale for Government Economic Development
• What Is the Michigan Economic Development Corp.?
  • Financing the MEDC
  • Functions of the MEDC
    • Administration
    • Job Creation Services
    • Jobs for Michigan Investment Program: 21st Century Jobs Fund
    • Michigan Promotion Program
    • Economic Development Job Training Grants
    • Community Development Block Grants
    • Michigan Film Office
    • Business Incubator Program
  • Key Programs of the MEDC
• The Michigan Economic Growth Authority
  • MEGA’s Basic Performance Data
    • Previous Findings
    • A New Review of the Data
    • Case Studies
  • Assessing MEGA’s Economic Impact
    • From Performance to Effectiveness
    • A Shift-Share Analysis of the MEGA Program
• Exploring the Economic Findings on MEGA
  • The Possibility of Political Behavior
    • The Trend Toward — and Away From — Transparency
    • The Data Necessary to Measure MEGA’s Performance
    • MEGA Summary Spreadsheets
    • MEGA’s Annual Reports to the Michigan Legislature
    • A Summary of the Loss of Available MEGA Data
    • A History of Murkiness at the MEDC
    • Bipartisan and Nonpartisan Concerns
    • Dubious Claims and Reluctant Disclosure
    • The Importance of Transparency
  • Why MEGA Matters
• Other MEDC Programs
  • Broadband Development Authority
  • Michigan Film Office
    • A Violation of State Law’s Reporting Requirements
    • The MFO’s Questionable Numbers
  • The MSU Study Fails to Include Costs
• Literature Review and Analysis
• The Economic State of Our State
  • Production, Wealth and Employment
  • Migration
  • CEO Magazine 2008 Survey
• Conclusion and Recommendations
  • Eliminate the Michigan Economic Development Corp.
  • Lesser Reforms
    • Eliminate the Michigan Economic Growth Authority
    • Eliminate the Michigan Film Incentive
    • Program Reductions and Improved Transparency
• Appendix A: A Sample of Correspondence With the MEDC
• Appendix B: A New Mackinac Center Database on MEGA
  • Visteon as an Example
• Appendix C: Technical Appendix for Shift-Share Analysis