MACKINAC ISLAND Despite Gov. Jennifer Granholms Cool Cities initiative, young Michiganders are leaving the state in large numbers as they look for particular types of jobs, warmer weather and cities with vibrant activity, according to a poll released over the weekend during the Detroit Regional Chambers Leadership Policy Conference.
Just 54 percent of college students surveyed said they would definitely or probably stay in Michigan after graduation. Some 41 percent said they would probably or definitely go to another state.
The survey from the Lansing-based polling firm EPIC/MRA said California, Illinois and New York state are the top destination states for those saying they will leave Michigan. Ed Sarpolus, EPIC/MRA vice president, said college students are looking for jobs not necessarily in the high technology/manufacturing sectors and the jobs they are seeking tend to be in cities like Chicago, Los Angeles and New York City.
Granholm, citing the data in relation to her Cool Cities program that offers grants to cities looking to foster interesting downtowns, said the statistics show Michigan must become a better draw for young people. Some young adults will always want to leave the area where they grew up, but Michigan must reach out to these people who reside in other states.
In a separate question, college students identified the Detroit area as their top option in which to live at 15 percent with Grand Rapids (8 percent), Lansing (7 percent), Chicago (6 percent) and New York City (5 percent) rounding out the top five.
The poll was commissioned by EPIC/MRA and conducted among 971 college students in Michigan, ages 18-24, from May 5-24. It has an error margin of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.
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