‘Not only are we at risk from India, we’re at risk from Indiana.’Republican gubernatorial candidate Dick DeVos, 50, believes Michigan has to become a more competitive and attractive place to do business in order to compete in the global market and against other states around the country.
‘There needs to be a very clear, unified message ? we want investment, we want business, we want you relocating toward Michigan, not away from Michigan. And we’re prepared to work with you for the benefit of the people of Michigan and for the benefit of your business, so we can get a win-win solution,? he said.
A former member of the Michigan State Board of Education and retired president of the global corporation Alticor, Inc., DeVos stopped in Oxford Monday afternoon for an informal chat about the issues with a handful of locals.
Michigan’s failing economy dominated most of the discussion.
After visiting all of Michigan’s 83 counties, DeVos said he heard the same things ‘absolutely everywhere? he went ? people are very concerned about the economy, jobs and the future.
‘It’s all about what are we going to do to get Michigan back on track economically,? he said.
To do that, DeVos said, ‘We’ve got to acknowledge a couple of realities.?
One reality is that the ‘automobile sector ? at least short-term ? is going through some compression? and ‘is going to continue to be under a certain degree of pressure.?
Another reality is that ‘for the first time, Michigan has really become disconnected from the national economy, the national recovery.?
‘Historically, for more of our lifetime, Michigan was linked directly to the national recovery,? DeVos said. ‘If times were good, Michigan was good everywhere. If times were bad, Michigan was bad everywhere.?
‘People in Michigan are feeling like it’s bad all around the country, but the truth is quite the opposite. The rest of the country’s doing pretty well.?
DeVos noted that the national economy is ‘plus 3 million new jobs,? while ‘Michigan is minus.?
‘Michigan is the only state outside Mississippi and Louisiana, that’s still minus jobs since 2003,? he said.
The final reality DeVos said Michigan must face is the rise of competition between states for new business and investment.
‘States are becoming far, far, far more aggressive in competing for economic development,? he said. ‘That competitiveness has become so intense that not only are we at risk from India, we’re at risk form Indiana.?
‘The environment around us has been shifting and we’ve not been responding. That’s my real concern.?
‘We’ve got to really change our response as a state if we expect to get different results.?
DeVos quoted a man he met in his travels across state who told him, ‘Keep doing what you did, you’re going to get what you got.?
Michigan’s reputation for having ‘complex? regulatory system that’s ‘difficult? and time-consuming is a big impediment to business, according to DeVos.
He said there are a number of businesses who ‘can’t get final decisions? from state regulatory agencies because new issues they’re not aware of always seem to pop up.
‘They feel like they’ve got this constant circle going,? said DeVos, noting in the meantime, these businesses are evaluating their options. ‘Often times, we end up as the loser because those same businesses are willing to invest elsewhere because it takes too long here.?
‘We continue to make life difficult (for businesses) and we forget that organizations in a free society have options.?
‘Government needs to say what the rules are, enforce them and make decisions,? DeVos said. ‘If the governor is saying we want jobs and expansion in Michigan, then all of the systems of Michigan must be aligned around expanding our economy.?
When asked why he’s running for governor, DeVos replied, ‘I couldn’t stand on the sidelines and not at least put up my hand and say, ‘Coach, I’m ready to go. I can make a difference.??
‘I have the experience, the background and the skills to get the job done for the people of Michigan,? he said. ‘I have the energy and the dedication to see it through.?
‘The people of Michigan are going to have to decide if they want to put me in.?
For more information about DeVos? candidacy visit www.devosforgovernor.com.