When Gov. Jennifer Granholm gave her State of the State address in January, she emphasized the role of research universities in improving Michigan's economy.
With the announcement Monday of a new federally funded program that links university research and businesses, Granholm is making good on her word.
The program, the Mid-Michigan WIRED Initiative, will provide $15 million over three years to increase collaboration between research universities and businesses in the state.
WIRED is the U.S. Department of Labor's Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development program.
The program is intended to build new technology and create new businesses using research and assets from universities. Money will also be put toward job training for Michigan citizens.
Providing for job training is an important part of the program because people need to have the necessary skills so they have a shot at getting some of these jobs envisioned by state and MSU officials.
Proponents of the program also hope it will make Michigan a leader in developing alternative fuels and research.
MSU could benefit from some of this federal money considering the university's involvement in researching alternative fuels. Giving money to help make that research applicable to the real world is a good move.
Much like in Granholm's 21st Century Job Initiatives program, the state is realizing higher education needs to have a role in Michigan's future.
The new program doesn't make up for a lack of state appropriations for higher education however, and we'll probably have to share that $15 million with other universities.
It also shouldn't be counted on to completely transform Michigan's economy and bring it up to speed with new technology.
That will take more work and more programs designed to make colleges and universities an important part of the budget process.
And even though it will help to train workers and help them get some of the new jobs that will be created, what about the students who are graduating in a few weeks?
Will there be jobs for them?
And will those jobs be attractive enough to make them stay in Michigan instead of going somewhere with a better economy?
It's great to educate people and help them find new jobs, but state officials should also remember those who are about to graduate and enter the workforce.
Both higher education and the state are in tough situations.
Universities want more money, and the state wants to get more people working.
More collaboration between them will be needed to make those goals a reality.
