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Michigan Business Roundtable Sounds Alarm on Economy

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2026/03/12 .. business-roundtable-sounds-alarm-on-economy.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Thursday, March 12th 2026 at 2:34 GMT by inforum
      Locales: Michigan, UNITED STATES

Lansing, MI - March 12th, 2026 - The Michigan Business Roundtable (MBR) convened yesterday to deliver a sobering, yet pragmatic, assessment of the state's economic landscape. While acknowledging pockets of strength, the discussion overwhelmingly focused on navigating persistent inflation, addressing critical workforce shortages, and preparing for the disruptive forces of automation. The Roundtable, a consortium of leading Michigan business executives, painted a picture of an economy at a crossroads, requiring proactive collaboration between the public and private sectors to secure long-term prosperity.

Inflation, which has plagued the national economy for the past few years, continues to be a major drag on Michigan businesses. Participants detailed how rapidly rising costs of raw materials, energy, and transportation are squeezing profit margins and forcing difficult decisions regarding pricing and investment. The concern isn't merely about headline inflation numbers, but the stickiness of certain price increases. Several members noted that while gas prices have fluctuated, core services like healthcare and childcare continue to see consistent upward pressure, impacting household budgets and reducing discretionary spending.

"We're seeing a situation where businesses are hesitant to make large capital investments, not because of a lack of demand, but because of the uncertainty around future costs," explained Sarah Chen, CEO of a major automotive supplier and MBR member. "Predictability is key, and right now, the economic signals are mixed. We need policies that encourage stability and long-term planning."

Perhaps even more pressing than inflation is the state's ongoing workforce crisis. Michigan, like much of the nation, is facing a significant skills gap across numerous industries. The Roundtable highlighted a particularly acute need for skilled tradespeople - welders, electricians, plumbers - as well as technicians in advanced manufacturing and IT professionals. Existing apprenticeship programs are proving insufficient to meet the demand, and attracting young people to these fields remains a challenge. Discussions explored expanding vocational training in high schools, bolstering community college programs, and incentivizing private sector involvement in workforce development.

Dr. James Holloway, an economist specializing in labor market trends, presented data indicating that the skills gap is not simply a matter of a lack of qualified applicants, but a mismatch between the skills employers need and the skills workers possess. "We need to move beyond simply increasing the number of training programs," he stated. "We need to ensure those programs are aligned with the actual needs of Michigan's industries and that they are adaptable to the rapidly changing demands of the modern workplace." The Roundtable also touched upon the challenges posed by an aging workforce and the need to attract and retain talent from outside the state.

Looking ahead, the MBR dedicated considerable time to discussing the transformative impact of automation and artificial intelligence (AI) on the future of work. While acknowledging the potential benefits of these technologies - increased productivity, improved efficiency, and the creation of new industries - participants expressed concern about potential job displacement. The emphasis shifted towards proactive strategies for reskilling and upskilling workers, providing them with the tools they need to thrive in an increasingly automated environment.

"Automation isn't necessarily about replacing workers, but about augmenting their capabilities," said David Lee, CTO of a leading logistics firm. "The key is to invest in training programs that focus on critical thinking, problem-solving, and adaptability - skills that are difficult to automate." The Roundtable explored potential partnerships with educational institutions and online learning platforms to provide accessible and affordable training opportunities for workers of all ages.

Infrastructure investment remains a cornerstone of Michigan's economic strategy. The aging road network, outdated water systems, and limited broadband access continue to hamper business growth and hinder quality of life. Participants lauded recent state and federal investments in infrastructure projects, but cautioned that more needs to be done to address the backlog of deferred maintenance and ensure that Michigan's infrastructure is equipped to support future economic development.

The MBR reiterated its long-standing call for a collaborative approach between government and the private sector. Participants stressed that a thriving Michigan economy requires a stable regulatory environment, a competitive tax structure, and a commitment to fostering innovation. The Roundtable plans to release a detailed report outlining its recommendations in the coming weeks, and will continue to engage with policymakers and business leaders to advance its agenda.