Leaving Michigan Behind: Eight-year population exodus staggers state
Outflow of skilled, educated workers crimps Michigan's recovery
Ron French and Mike Wilkinson / The Detroit News
Joe LaCross drives American cars. Always has. Born and raised in the blue-collar suburbs of Detroit, this son of a welder wouldn't dream of rolling past his autoworker neighbors in a Toyota. But not long ago the 38-year-old pulled into the driveway of his Sterling Heights home in a vehicle wreaking even more havoc in his home state.
A moving van.
"I grew up here," said LaCross, as he packed to move to Florida in search of a job. "My family is here. My wife's family is here. I love everything about Michigan.
Rest of story at:
Leaving Michigan Behind: Second of a two-day series
Half of university grads flee Michigan
State tries to bolster grad rates, but growing number move away
Ron French / The Detroit News
Chicago -- Gov. Jennifer Granholm must see Emily Zuker in her nightmares.
Young, bright and college-educated, the Michigan Stae University grad got her degree in 2006 and immediately moved to Chicago -- now home to the largest concentration of recent MSU grads in the nation.
"It's just like being back at Michigan State," said Zuker, 25.
Except that it's not in the state of Michigan.
At a time when Granholm is pushing to double the number of college grads, the number of grads leaving the state has doubled instead.
Half of Michigan's college grads now leave the state within a year of graduation, taking with them their diplomas and the talent needed to help rebuild Michigan's economy.
