In the last two months the State of Michigan has made a couple of exciting moves to help rebuild their economy, both involving technology.  In January, Lieutenant Governor John D. Cherry, Jr. announced that Michigan will join forces with Microsoft in an innovative public-private partnership to provide free technology training to individuals across the state. Through its Elevate America program, Microsoft will partner with the Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth (DELEG) to provide training to displaced workers and current students with career resources to find internships and permanent jobs.  “As Michigan’s economy continues to undergo a transformation, we must ensure that all workers have access to the job training programs they need to be successful,” Cherry said.  “Microsoft’s Elevate America program provides another critical tool to meet that goal.”  You can read more about it here. 

This week, Michigan State University (MSU) announced a partnership with INgage Networks to support the University’s effort to rebuild Michigan’s economy. INgage Networks’ enterprise social software provides Michigan with the cost effective means to connect citizens, government and business leaders online for collaboration and problem-solving to restore the State’s global competitiveness:

This partnership between INgage Networks and MSU is a model that can be replicated by other states, as well as national governments, to meet mandates for greater transparency, citizen inclusion and collaboration. Michigan is leading the way to rebuld their workforce, to show government and businesses how to effectively listen to the ideas and input of customers, constituents and employees, and take action based on that input to strengthen global competitiveness.

It's nice to see governments looking to technology as part of the solution to rebuilding their economies.