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Tapping the land and water
By MAGGIE I. JARUZEL
While Michigan’s overall economy has been weak for several years, two important portions have remained strong — agriculture and tourism.
In fact, the state’s agriculture market ranks as a top producer for many of the nation’s fruits, vegetables and flowers.[1]
For example, it ranks No. 1 in the world for production of red tart cherries and No. 4 in the nation for sweet cherries. Also, the fertile farmlands in the Thumb region grow more beans than any other region in the country.
The state also ranks No. 1 in the nation for its production of blueberries, soybeans, cucumbers (for pickles) and round, white potatoes; No. 2 for celery; No. 3 for apples and asparagus; No. 4 for grapes, peaches, plums and sugar beets; No. 7 for maple syrup, and No. 9 for onions.
Many Michiganians aren’t aware that their state ranks third, behind California and Florida, in wholesale sales of floriculture products. And it leads the nation in production of Easter lilies, geraniums, hanging flower baskets and potted spring flower bulbs, among others.[2]
Another asset is Michigan’s forests, which cover more than half the state’s land. The state is second only to Oregon in its Christmas tree production, and its timber industry ranks fifth largest in the U.S.[3]
Michigan also boasts natural beauty that includes winding rivers and the longest freshwater coastline in the country, complete with beckoning beaches and majestic sand dunes.
The scenic outdoors attracts recreational and sports enthusiasts, including people who hunt, fish, swim, golf, ski, snowmobile, run, cycle and take tours to visit vineyards or see changing fall colors.
In addition to coastlines on four of the five Great Lakes, the state has hundreds of smaller lakes used by boaters, making Michigan the third largest boating state in the country, behind Florida and California, with more than 960,000 registered private boats, according to state records.[4]
The award-winning “Pure Michigan” campaign is one way the state is pitching itself as a four-season vacation destination for out-of-state residents. The goal is to make Michigan one of the top five tourism stops in the nation, state officials say.[5]
Annually, the tourism industry already pours $18.8 billion into the state economy and employs 200,000 people. It also brings in more than $1.1 billion in tax revenue.[6] Of the annual tourism business, 50 percent of the revenue comes from non-Michigan residents, officials say.
While revenue generated from outdoor enthusiasts and tourists plays an important role in the state’s economy, preliminary findings from a study of natural resources conservation and management showed some troubling findings.
The May 2007 study — conducted jointly by Heart of the Lakes Center for Land Conservation Policy and the Land Policy Institute at Michigan State University — showed that of the lower 48 states, Michigan ranks as one of the country’s top states for the amount and diversity of its natural resources. However, Michigan ranks last in its per capita conservation spending to protect its natural resources.[7]
Michael Shriberg is director of Environment Michigan Research & Policy Center in Ann Arbor. He places great importance on protecting what many residents see as the state’s greatest asset: the bountiful supply of freshwater from the Great Lakes, which define the two-peninsula state both geographically and figuratively.
In an era of current, or soon-to-be-expected, water shortages in several other regions, Michigan’s access to freshwater should be a major way to woo potential businesses and residents to the state, Shriberg says. He adds that Michigan’s location requires it to be a leader in protecting the Great Lakes from pollution and diversion to other regions in order to retain this valuable resource.
[1] Michigan Department of Agriculture. The Mitten of Plenty: Michigan Commodities, Web site statistics.
[2] National Agricultural Statistics Service, Michigan Field Office, Michigan Department of Agriculture report. “Michigan 2005-2006 Highlights,” Oct. 11, 2006, online edition.
[3] State of Michigan Web site: Michigan in Brief: History, Arts, and Libraries. Michigan Facts: Resources, Forests, May 30, 2007, online edition.
[4] Kellogg, Sarah. “Rough sailing for state’s boating industry.” Booth Newspapers, Mlive.com, July 1, 2007, online edition.
[5] Holland, Meegan. “More tourism bucks sought.” The Flint Journal, May 3, 2007:B1.
[6] Morris, David, Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Interview, April 17, 2008.
[7] Heart of the Lakes Center for Land Conservation Policy and the Land Policy Institute report. “Preliminary Summary of Findings: Establishing a National Benchmark for State Funding of Natural Resources Conservation and Management.” May 2007:1.