Giving Michigan businesses the edge in a competitive global market is what the Upper Hand is all about. Through this marketing campaign we're sharing with the state, the U.S. and the world what we already know. Michigan offers an impressive:

• knowledge base
• talented workforce
• entrepreneurial spirit
• engineering, research and development excellence
• manufacturing capacity
• top-notch institutes of higher learning

Michigan has made more progress in economic development in the 21st century than any other state, as judged by the Washington, D.C. based Information and Technology Innovation Foundation. Measuring from 1999 to 2007, they rank Michigan:

• #4 in the nation for industry investment in research and development
• #19 in preparing for a knowledge-based economy, up 15 notches since 1999

Diversifying Economy

Companies in Michigan are enjoying new opportunities to benefit from economic diversification. Michigan put the world on wheels 100 years ago and continues to serve as the global epicenter of automotive research and development. We're at a tipping point, building on that solid foundation to reach out to new industries. From alternative energy to the latest in life science innovations, new market development is occurring now. To see what CEOs and other C-level executives say about their company's success in Michigan, take a look at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation's Upper Hand campaign spots.