This is Michigan

Once upon a time, General Motors stood strong and mighty, the world at its feet.

Today, the world prevails, and GM is on its knees.

Bankrupt. Can't pay its bills. The filing Monday was just a formalization of what we already knew, the way a coffin formalizes a funeral. But something we once believed in, looked up to, even nestled inside of, is gone today and will never be the same.

The number of jobs the University of Michigan expects to create at the former Pfizer pharmaceutical site is now being estimated at 3,000, up from the previously stated 2,000 faculty and staff positions over the next 10 years.

General Motors and the University of Michigan have been working together on vehicle technology for 50 years, and a new institute will take the long-standing relationship to the next level. GM researchers will work with U of M faculty and students to develop new battery, engine, manufacturing, and smart materials technology to expedite the advancement of cars and trucks.

About 300 UAW workers, Ford Executives and politicians celebrated Ford Motor Co.'s announcement today that it will not only build the Ford Focus at its Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, but also will built an electric version of the car.

Detroit is a dichotomy. That much was clear during my four-day visit for the NCAA Final Four. Amid the contradictions and mixed emotions I experienced, one thought emerged: Don't let ‘The D' die.

Assistance is available to companies starting, expanding or relocating to Michigan. Through a wide array of economic development programs and incentives, we foster a vibrant economic environment for the business community. At the same time, these incentives help attract and retain high-quality jobs for Michigan's highly skilled workforce. We have dozens of products and services to help your business, including corporate infrastructure assistance, business real estate help, corporate relocation services and corporate incentives.

Renaissance zones are virtually free of all state and local taxes for businesses located within their boundaries. There are over 150 geographic areas in Michigan that are designated as renaissance zones.

At Wayne State University, Carol Brenner and her Tech Town colleagues know that Monday's lifting of federal restrictions on stem cell research means what once was trash could lead to a treasure trove of treatments.