along with other important objectives in her keynote speech.

- Our goal is to grow Michigan and to succeed, we've got to do it together.

We're making progress, but we've gotta do more.

It is time for a growth strategy led by leaders and experts focused on our collective goals rather than personal, political, or partisan agendas.

Yesterday we laid out "Make it in Michigan," which is our plan to win more projects and invest in people and revitalize places.

Growing our state and economy requires progress on all three of these fronts.

This morning I signed an executive order establishing the Growing Michigan Together Council.

This new council, which is co-chaired by Ambassador John Rakolta Jr., a Republican and Shirley Stancato, a Democrat, will bring leaders in industry, education and government together to focus on growing Michigan's population in a smart, strategic way.

So let's talk a little bit about the Council's directives.

First jobs, talent and people.

The Council will identify a specific population goal for 2050.

They will map out how to use all the different levers that we have, retention, recruitment, domestic migration, immigration, so that we can continue growing our economy and create upward mobility for everyone.

They'll focus on how to build, attract, and retain a skilled workforce that can compete with other states and nations.

We know talent drives growth and we must create equitable paths to opportunities so Michiganders can get the good paying jobs created by the cutting edge companies, we're competing to bring home.0 Next, infrastructure and places.

We have made record investments in every kind of infrastructure, but we still have a lot of good work to do, especially if we have an increasing population.

So the Council will develop long-term funding solutions for transportation and water infrastructure so we can increase capacity and keep costs low.

And finally, education.

We must improve student outcomes at every level from preschool through post-secondary.

(audience applauding) Yep.

The Council will develop policies and sustainable funding recommendations to improve education so that every child realizes their full potential and it will propose how to measure our performance against other top states.

The ultimate goal of any policy or plan, however, is its impact on people.

We wanna ensure everyone can build their future here in Michigan.

In addition to this work, we need personnel embedded within state government focused full time on the mission to grow this state.

And that's why I'm excited to announce that Hillary Doe will be Michigan's first Chief Growth Officer.

(audience cheering) (audience applauding) So as Chief growth Officer, Hillary will be housed within the MEDC.

So work closely with the Council to implement recommendations, chase funding, and bring stakeholders together.

She'll lead a first in the nation effort to tell Michigan's story of natural beauty, diversity, economic leadership.

I'm excited for all of you to get to know and to work with Hillary and the Council.