Michigan is located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States. It was originally populated by Native Americans before European explorers arrived and colonized the area. Formally established as a state in January 26, 1837, it is now home to 9,969,727 (2009 est.).* Estimates put more than half of Michigan’s entire population in Detroit, the state’s largest city.
The gross state product of Michigan was estimated to be at $382,544 billion as of 2008.** The turn of the 20th century brought on a transformation to the state’s economy and signaled the foundation of a new age in transportation with the emergence of the automobile industry. The growth of the auto industry drew immigrants from Europe and all over the country to Detroit, as an abundance of jobs could be found there. Manufacturing is the major element in Michigan’s economy, with outputs such as motor vehicles, and equipment. The production of nonelectrical machinery, metal forgings, primary and fabricated metal products is directly linked to automobile production. Aside from these, other major products, services and industries include aerospace, pizza, cereal products, military equipment, information technology, iron, copper and furniture. Aside from milk which is the chief agricultural product from Michigan, other leading outputs include flowers, soybean, wheat, corn, sugar beets and potatoes, sheep, poultry, cattle and hogs. Tourism is also a significant contributor to the economy in Michigan. Not surprisingly, majority of all tourism business come directly from its residents. The state’s natural treasures of forests, lakes and beaches; its museums and festivals attract visitors and locals alike.
The presence of African Americans in Detroit in particular paved the way for the birth and recognition of Motown Sound in the music industry in the 1960’s.
As of August 2010, the unemployment rate for Michigan was estimated to be at 13.1% by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.***
| Unemployment Agency | Website | Phone Number | State |
| Unemployment Insurance Agency | Michigan Website | 1-866-500-0017 | Michigan Unemployment Benefits |
Below is a list of the 50 largest employers in Michigan:****
| Employer | City |
| UNIVERSITY OF MI-ANN ARBOR | Ann Arbor |
| REHABILITATION INSTITUTE OF MI | Detroit |
| DETROIT RECEIVING HOSPITAL | Detroit |
| BLOGETT HOSPITAL | Grand Rapids |
| SPECTRUM HEALTH BUTTERWORTH | Grand Rapids |
| BEAUMONT HOSPITAL | Royal Oak |
| FRED & LEINA MEIJER HEART CTR | Grand Rapids |
| DELPHI THERMAL SYSTEMS | Auburn Hills |
| HENRY FORD HOSPITAL | Detroit |
| HENRY FORD HEALTH SYSTEM | Detroit |
| PFIZER ANIMAL HEALTH R & D | Kalamazoo |
| SPARROW HOSPITAL | Lansing |
| ST. LAWRENCE HOSPITAL | Lansing |
| ACCESS BUSINESS GROUP LLC | Ada |
| AMWAY CORP | Ada |
| DELPHI AUTO DIAGNOSTIC | Flint |
| DELPHI STEERING | Staginaw |
| GENERAL MOTORS CO | Detroit |
| MUNSON MEDICAL CTR | Traverse City |
| ST. JOHN HOSPITAL & MEDICAL CTR | Detroit |
| ST. JOSEPH MERCY HOSPITAL | Ypsilanti |
| COVENANT MEDICAL CTR | Saginaw |
| GENERAL MOTORS PROVING GROUNDS | Milford |
| FULL GOSPEL CHRISTIAN CTR | Benton Harbor |
| UNIVERSITY RELATIONS | Kalamazoo |
| ALTICOR INC | Ada |
| CHRYSLER WARREN TRUCK ASSEMBLY | Warren |
| COVENANT HEALTHCARE | Saginaw |
| FORD MOTOR CO | Dearborn |
| MERCY GENERAL HOSPITAL | Muskegon |
| PYXIS INNOVATIONS INC | Ada |
| RESORT AT SOARING EAGLE | Mount Pleasant |
| SOARING EAGLE CASINO | Mount Pleasant |
| CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL | Kalamazoo |
| DELPHI CORP | Flint |
| CHRYSLER CORP | Sterling Heights |
| GM POWERTRAIN | Ypsilanti |
| US ARMY TANK AUTOMOTIVE CMMND | Warren |
| DETROIT DIESEL CORP | Detroit |
| UNIV OF MICHIGAN MED SCHOOL | Ann Arbor |
| WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY | Kalamazoo |
| LANSING COMMUNITY COLLEGE | Lansing |
| BLUE CROSS & BLUE SHIELD OF MI | Detroit |
| GENERAL MOTORS ORION ASSEMBLY | Lake Orion |
| GM POWERTRAIN | Flint |
| MARQUETTE GENERAL HOSPITAL | Marquette |
| AUTO ALLIANCE INTL INC | Flat Rock |
| BRONSON METHODIST HOSPITAL | Kalamazoo |
| CONSUMER ENERGY CO | Jackson |
| DETROIT NEWSPAPER | Pontiac |
Sources:
* http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/26000.html
** http://www.bea.gov/regional/gsp/action.cfm
*** http://data.bls.gov:8080/PDQ/servlet/SurveyOutputServlet;jsessionid=6230d02654fb1d617439
**** http://www.acinet.org/acinet/oview6.asp?soccode=&stfips=26&from=State&id=11&nodeid=12