Okay. Let’s remember a few things as you read the local news these days:

• We are a County in the State of Michigan.
• At present, Michigan has one of the worst economic scorecards in the country.
• Though it is plainly hard to do, we have to continue to think beyond this downturn, and plan wisely and strategically for the future
  
• Continue to do what works: stay focused on the front side of the model!
  

When Dana Johnson, economist with Comerica Bank spoke at an annual economic luncheon recently, I admit to being a little startled by a couple of his statistics on Washtenaw County.

I’m sure you know that Washtenaw County, and specifically the greater Ann Arbor area has long enjoyed the lowest unemployment rate in the State of Michigan. Unfortunately, with our 4.6 % average over the past year, we’re no longer several points lower than elsewhere in the country - we’re just about even with national unemployment rate, and elsewhere in Michigan the rates are escalating beyond their norms, too.

Also worrying is our rate of growth for income, per capita. Detroit is doing better than we are in that area.

We’ve taken a big hit with the loss of Pfizer, whose employees begin their exodus this month. And last week we learned of one of the casualties of this downturn when Help Source, the largest non-governmental human service agency in the County, announced it would close in September.

Our human services people, along with other local non-profit agencies are working to accommodate the 600 HelpSource clients who will require ongoing care after September. It’s a significant hit to the human service sector, no doubt. Will we be able to work with the various communities of interest to serve those people? I have no doubt.

Let’s get back to my final point above – which isn’t just blue sky thinking.

Have you ever heard of Richard Florida? He’s the academic and renowned consultant whose thoughts and books (“The Rise of the Creative Class”, among others,) have really brought new meaning to our 21st century economy in this flattened world. Florida is not without his critics, but a lot of what he postulated in that initial book is holding true for today’s municipal and county success stories.

Take a look at this list of ingredients for a strong community, and then think about our own community.

• The 3Ts of economic dynamism: Technology, Talent and Tolerance.

• Each is a necessary but by itself not a sufficient condition

• Technology refers to the concentration of high-tech industries and world-class universities, which is interrelated with Talent or human capital.

• Tolerance refers to the low-entry barriers for people – where newcomers to the place are accepted quickly into all sorts of social and economic arrangements.

I want to remind you that this downturn is not catching us flatfooted. Remember the work we’d already begun to do with the Washtenaw Development Council and Ann Arbor SPARK helping us retain and attract the talent we need to sustain and grow our way back. Remember the active instead of passive leadership of the University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan. And remember the concrete plans for phenomenal regional projects like the Aerotropolis.

We have a lot to invite your eyes forward. This is a downturn. But I firmly believe that we were the last ones in and we’ll be the first ones out.

So, eyes forward and, as always, thank you for your hard and purpose-driven work.

I think Washtenaw County will help lead the way out of this economic slump for the rest of the State, and I think you will help lead Washtenaw County.

Have a great week,

Bob