Our Work
Fostering Innovative Strategies to Help Small Businesses Grow
With Michigan at an economic and political crossroads, the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM) retained PPA to undertake a policy-building process surrounding the need to implement a new economic development strategy: economic gardening.
This new approach nurtures and develops small but growing businesses in Michigan. PPA produced a white paper, "Blueprint for Propelling a New Economic Direction for Michigan," which has helped frame the economic development debate for the state.
The PPA Team: Company President Jeffrey D. Padden was the project manager. He has more than 25 years experience in economic development policy.
PPA's Role: PPA, which has worked with SBAM on a variety of projects, conducted extensive research on second-stage companies, which have the potential to grow and add jobs to the economy. The PPA team reviewed approaches in states such as Georgia, Florida, and Wyoming. Researchers interviewed numerous economic development leaders to gather input and shape recommendations.
The Results: The white paper makes the case for a fundamental change in Michigan's approach to job growth. The study lays out a strategy in which the state accelerates the growth of high-potential firms by improving access to services from state, local, and private service providers. It represents a shift from the strategy of the past 20 years of "economic hunting," or chasing large companies that could choose to locate elsewhere. The report found that "economic hunting" has become less effective over time.
Policy Impact: The Small Business Association of Michigan released the paper in October 2010, a month before Michigan's election for a new governor and Legislature. It served to inject economic gardening into the campaign discussion. Michigan's new governor has embraced economic gardening and specifically cited SBAM's leadership in his 2011 State of the State Address.
Links:
Blueprint for Propelling a New Economic Direction for Michigan
Propelling a New Economic Direction for Michigan