Michigan is blessed with abundant and diverse natural resources, which are a significant part of the
state’s culture, history, identity, and economy. Our natural resources attract visitors, residents, and
businesses to the state. Natural resources are grown, extracted, and used raw in the development of
secondary products that are processed here and exported to other states and globally. We use natural
resources, particularly water, as part of the process for many of our other critical industries, including
Michigan’s manufacturing and energy sectors. Water is also key to our tourism and recreation economies.
In both the academic and business research and development sectors, Michigan has a strong base
of intellectual resources that fuel innovation and contribute to the state’s potential to capitalize on its
natural resource economy.
Public Sector Consultants (PSC), in partnership with Sustainable Water Works (SWW), was engaged
by Business Leaders for Michigan (BLM) to develop a business plan for the natural resource economy—
one of six asset areas identified by BLM in its Michigan Turnaround Plan to make Michigan a Top Ten
state for jobs, personal income, and a healthy economy.
A copy of the full report is available below.