Detroit City Wire

The Detroit Regional Chamber has published a statewide poll conducted with the Glengariff Group, Inc., surveying 600 registered voters in Michigan. The poll, carried out between September 12-15, 2024, reveals significant concerns about Michigan's readiness for future economic challenges and its competitiveness in high-tech industries.

Almost half of those surveyed believe Michigan is not prepared for the economy of the future. Specifically, "76% of Michigan voters support developing an advanced technology economy in Michigan." However, there is a discrepancy between this support and the willingness to engage with the necessary technology and education. Strong Republican voters are less supportive of such developments.

The survey shows only 16% think Michigan is well-prepared to compete globally over the next decade. Rural and Republican voters expressed particular skepticism about Michigan's preparedness. Conversely, just 8% of Democratic voters share this concern.

When asked about economic growth compared to regions like Silicon Valley or Austin over the next 25 years, only 40% believe Michigan will keep pace. Additionally, many non-college workers are unwilling to pursue further education for higher-paying jobs despite their availability.

The survey also examined opinions on electric vehicles (EVs) and manufacturing competitiveness. Voters were split on whether EV sales would rise significantly over the next decade but showed concern that China leads in EV technology development by a nine-point margin. Nearly 60% feel it is important for the U.S. to surpass China in this field.

On local competition for manufacturing jobs, "70% of Michigan voters say to match Texas’ offer for an EV plant," supporting competitive incentive packages to attract industry investment from both domestic and international sources.

Despite mixed views on various economic aspects, more than half of respondents now believe that Michigan is on the right track—a notable improvement from earlier this year—driven mainly by Democratic voter sentiment.

Concerns about inflation have decreased significantly since November 2023. Nonetheless, over half see the state's economy as weakening or potentially entering recession territory. Still, "62% of Michigan voters say they are doing better or the same economically," indicating some stability at an individual level.

Political discussions have strained personal relationships among many Michiganders; around one-third reported tensions with family or friends due to political conversations. These findings reflect broader societal divisions that remain evident within different demographics across party lines and geographical locations.