Does that statement seem a little out of touch with what’s really going on in our economy right now? Let me put it another way, Michigan is a front-runner in many technological advances. Okay, still a little off popular messaging? Not really!
Check out these statistics:
• Southeast Michigan’s tech industry employs over 300,000 workers representing 14.7%
• of all employment in the region.
• The total payroll in the technology industry reached $21.9 billion in 2006.
• Someone in the tech field earns one in every four salary dollars in Southeast Michigan.
• The average income for a tech employee in 2006 was $70.311.
• 68% of all US patents were granted to private sector businesses in SE Michigan (10,579 patents). These patents ranged from a method for treating multiple types of cancer using chemical derivatives to sensors that can detect leaks in hydrogen fuel cells.
• Homeland security is making a move to Michigan as well. In 2008, expansion of the University of Michigan’s robotics programs follows a move in 2005 by the Army to locate its robotics development program from Alabama to the militaries Detroit Arsenal in Warren.
*These statistics were taken from the 2008 Automation Alley Tech report.
Here at MTL we have been working with some of the most amazing companies, doing exceptional things that are making a difference not only for our economy but also for the perception of what Michigan is and can be.
We’re highlighting 10 of these companies this year at the MTL Symposium in a little thing we like to call the Techno Expo.
It is our responsibility – all of us – to promote Michigan, promote all the exciting growth that is happening, join together and say – Michigan can redefine itself, it already is!
What are you doing to spread the excitement?
Tags: Automation Alley, MTL, Southeast Michigan's tech industry, Techno Expo, technological advances
