Store
Login

Michigan is the 46th Best State for Business 2012

No. 46

Michigan

Taxation and Regulations
Workforce Quality
Living Environment

Based on CEO Survey by ChiefExecutive.net

Key Metrics
State GDP 

  • % Growth ’07-’10: -6.37
  • % Growth ’07-’10 v. Nat’l Avg. (-0.33%): -6.03

Unemployment

  • Unemployment Rate Dec. 2011 %: 9.30
  • Comparison with Nat’l Rate (8.50%): 0.80

Domestic Migration

  • Domestic Net Migration ’00-’09: -537,471
  • Rank: 47

State Government

  • Debt per Capita Fiscal Year ’10 ($): 3,251
  • State & Local Gov’t Employees per 10k Residents: 491.02

State-Local Tax Burden

  • Rate (%): 9.67
  • Compared to Nat’l Avg. (9.8%): -0.13
Key Companies
  • Ford Motor Company
  • Dow Chemical Company
  • Whirlpool
  • Dominos Pizza Inc.
  • Stryker
Development Trend Indicator: Positive
Tax cuts and simplification bode well for future under new Gov. Snyder.
CEO Comments
“California and Michigan are predatory in their approach to business.”

“Michigan is not business friendly.”

“Michigan—ridiculous amount of red tape to start a business. Getting licensed as a builder, process, training, testing is so rigorous and time consuming that it’s ridiculous. Plus the penalties for not following the rules are strict.”

Sources:
Bureau of Economic Analysis
Bureau of Labor Statistics
NewGeography.com
The Tax Foundation

Picture of Chief Executive

Chief Executive

Chief Executive magazine (published since 1977) is the definitive source that CEOs turn to for insight and ideas that help increase their effectiveness and grow their business. Chief Executive Group also produces e-newsletters and online content at chiefexecutive.net and manages Chief Executive Network and other executive peer groups, as well as conferences and roundtables that enable top corporate officers to discuss key subjects and share their experiences within a community of peers. Chief Executive facilitates the annual “CEO of the Year,” a prestigious honor bestowed upon an outstanding corporate leader, nominated and selected by a group of peers, and is known throughout the U.S. and elsewhere for its annual ranking of Best & Worst States for Business. Visit www.chiefexecutive.net for more information.
View More By This Author

MORE LIKE THIS

Get the CEO Briefing

Clear insights and practical takeaways delivered to your inbox three times a week

We value your privacy.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Family-Owned Business Summit

  • For family business CEOs and owners navigating growth, governance and leadership transition across generations.
  • Feb. 12-13, 2026
  • St. Petersburg, FL

A Live Masterclass with Jim Collins

  • A rare, reflective conversation with one of the world’s most influential thinkers on purpose, resilience, renewal and sustaining excellence across a lifetime.
  • March 19, 2026
  • Online

CEO Summit

  • For CEOs leading enterprise-wide strategy, decision-making and long-term value creation in a rapidly changing business environment.
  • April 7, 2026
  • Washington, D.C.

Manufacturing M&A Dealmakers Forum

  • For manufacturing CEOs, owners and dealmakers navigating acquisitions, integrations and value creation in a competitive M&A landscape.
  • May 4, 2026
  • St. Louis, MO

Manufacturing Leaders Summit

  • For manufacturing CEOs and senior operations leaders addressing margin pressure, workforce challenges and supply chain complexity.
  • May 5-6, 2026
  • St. Louis, MO

Growth Summit

  • For CEOs and senior leaders focused on accelerating sustainable growth amid competitive pressure, shifting customer demands and operational constraints.
  • June 9, 2026
  • Nashville, TN

CEO Golf Invitational

  • The CEO Golf Invitational is a shared experience for 16 CEOs to play some of the world’s most iconic golf locations. This year, enjoy world-class service at the iconic Whistling Straits Course in Kohler, WI.
  • July 12, 2026
  • Kohler, WI

PE-Backed Leadership Summit

  • For CEOs and senior executives navigating the performance pressures, governance demands and value-creation expectations of private equity ownership.
  • Sept. 10, 2026
  • New York, NY

Boardroom Summit

  • For public and private company directors navigating heightened governance expectations, risk oversight and board effectiveness.
  • Sept. 29-30, 2026
  • New York, NY

Leadership Conference

  • For CEOs and senior executives responsible for driving growth, execution and organizational alignment in an increasingly complex and uncertain business environment.
  • Nov. 5-6, 2026
  • San Antonio, TX
Roundtable

Strategic Planning Workshop

1:00 - 5:00 pm

Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process

Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:

  1. Lack of systematic approach (70%)
  2. Laundry lists without prioritization (68%)
  3. Decisions based on personalities rather than facts and information (65%)

 

Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns.  They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning.  Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process.  This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented.  If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form.  The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.

New York, NY: ​​​Chief Executive's Corporate Citizenship Awards 2017

Women in Leadership Seminar and Peer Discussion

2:00 - 5:00 pm

Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations. 

Limited space available.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $495 will be added to your total.

Golf Outing

10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS

General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.

The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $295 will be added to your total.