http://www.thecenterformichigan.net/wwdd-what-would-doug-roberts-do/ Tue, 06 Sep 2011 18:31:23 +0000 hourly 1 http://www.thecenterformichigan.net/wwdd-what-would-doug-roberts-do/comment-page-1/#comment-3366 Todd J. Anson Thu, 25 Jun 2009 18:52:31 +0000 http://www.thecenterformichigan.net/blog/?p=1345#comment-3366 I agree wholeheartedly with Mr. Roberts. As a California venture lawyer and businessman raised/educated in Michigan the State has missed it's opportunity to capture venture businesses in the 1990's. Now, with the entire venture capital community on its backside, this may only be a partial solution to the Michigan challenge. Obviously, Michigan can not tax its way to prosperity. It deperately needs to find the will to invest in incentives attractive to new and expanding companies. As one who has recruited Michigan talent away from the state for nearly 30 years I can tell you that Michigan generates some of the most highly educated, earnest, grounded and dedicated workers in the country. This is its major asset- a workforce that is talented, hard working and realistic. A single venture backed company such as Qualcomm can generate more than 14oo additional companies once it starts to flourish. Michigan's challenge should be to find those things (incentives, tailored educational programs, etc.) required to atract these jobs. The entire country is pulling for the state! I agree wholeheartedly with Mr. Roberts. As a California venture lawyer and businessman raised/educated in Michigan the State has missed it’s opportunity to capture venture businesses in the 1990’s. Now, with the entire venture capital community on its backside, this may only be a partial solution to the Michigan challenge. Obviously, Michigan can not tax its way to prosperity. It deperately needs to find the will to invest in incentives attractive to new and expanding companies. As one who has recruited Michigan talent away from the state for nearly 30 years I can tell you that Michigan generates some of the most highly educated, earnest, grounded and dedicated workers in the country. This is its major asset- a workforce that is talented, hard working and realistic. A single venture backed company such as Qualcomm can generate more than 14oo additional companies once it starts to flourish. Michigan’s challenge should be to find those things (incentives, tailored educational programs, etc.) required to atract these jobs. The entire country is pulling for the state!

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