One of the top priorities for the state is attracting and retaining talent.

We've been talking about it for decades.

In fact, Michigan's first ever chief growth officer, Hilary Doe, has been focused on this goal ever since she was appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in 2023.

It's also a challenge that cities like Grand Rapids are hoping to solve.

Frankly, a lot of good news to announce in the last couple of years.

It's been really exciting to see.

Last year, we saw 65%+ of Michigan counties grow, which is wonderful to see.

And I think more importantly, our young adult population also is growing, which is really exciting to see or more importantly, accelerating faster than 45 other states.

So that's wonderful news in part because of regions like Grand Rapids, but also our northern communities.

Traverse City, Detroit.

It's just been been great to see and to help ensure that we can continue that growth we created Make My Home, which is a first of its kind first in the nation program that allows our local communities to apply and create really tailored talent attraction and retention programs.

They can apply and say that they'd like to provide down payment or student loan forgiveness or welcome programs to ensure that local talent can stay in their communities, or that they can invite folks from across the country to come and join them.

And we've really seen overwhelming interest from folks across the state, and it's exciting.

Examples of what you ideas that you heard and that have been announced.

Well, just today we actually got the chance to announce the City of Detroit Interest.

They're actually doubling down on wanting to retain entrepreneurs here in the city and are supporting with some housing stipends.

For example, we also saw specific targeted West Michigan ask for help with teacher attraction, which is really exciting to see.

So it's really varied and very regionally specific.

And, you know, we looked at retention programs across the country to really analyze what will work.

And the truth is what works for Marquette and Traverse City will be different than Grand Rapids and Detroit.

So this is intended to be locally driven.

And I think that's what will make it successful here in Michigan.

Well, let's turn to the west side of the state and what is working for Grand Rapids, because many folks would say that the Grand Rapids region and the growth is a success story in the state.

Of Michigan.

Rick, what are the tools that are in your toolbox right now that you are seeing that is helping the region grow?

Well, this has been a decades long journey for Grand Rapids to really reinventing itself.

And I think what's potentially unique in our region is we have a very vested business community that has strong partnerships with our public sector.

So we want to create a community that's vibrant, it's attractive.

We all want to live in a place that's attractive and vibrant and energetic and other things to do.

And so, you know, really setting our eye on the prize and everybody aligning and being focused on like these are the things that we want to do over the next few years, few decades to make sure that we continue to grow as a community.