It appears as if Detroit is starting to recover from the economic downturn, thanks in part to research and development projects in the high tech and automotive sectors. Crain's Detroit Business reports that the state's high rate of graduates with engineering degrees on their resume has also helped the state become the fastest-growing in the country for high tech-related jobs. Michael Finney, president and chief executive officer of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, told Site Selection that partnerships between the area's educational institutes including Wayne State University and Michigan State are contributing to business growth. "Access to talent is the most important factor in being an R&D state," Finney told the real estate trade publication. A number of high tech and computer companies have moved into the Detroit area over the past several years including Quicken Loans Incorporated and Compuware Corporation. Both Detroit and Grand Rapids were named the nation's top 20 most improved for job growth. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities for computer software engineers and programmers are expected to increase faster than most other occupations, by 21%, through the end of the decade. |