Green Jobs, Blue Water Economy Recent attention on the growth of green jobs with the help of a blue water economy has inspired an important question: how many of Michigan’s current jobs are connected to the Great Lakes? That’s the question Sea Grant staff set out to answer in compiling data for two recent reports analyzing the number of jobs influenced by the Great Lakes, and the potential economic benefits to Michigan as a result of Great Lakes restoration. In short, the numbers are surprising. An estimated 23 percent of Michigan’s payroll is comprised of jobs that are directly or indirectly connected to the Great Lakes. These include jobs in tourism, agriculture, transportation, science, and many other economic sectors. The process used in compiling the data is already being replicated around the Great Lakes region. When final calculations are totaled, we may all be in for a surprise to learn how economically dependent this region is on our incomparable freshwater seas. The Great Lakes jobs report, highlighted on page 3 of this issue of upwellings, complements a second Sea Grant report on the economic benefits of Great Lakes restoration to the State of Michigan. Data from both reports are incorporated in the MI-Great Lakes Plan, released in January 2009 by the Office of the Great Lakes. The plan emphasizes the critical need for federal dollars to be invested in Great Lakes restoration. If President Obama follows through on his campaign promise of establishing a $5 billion trust fund for Great Lakes restoration, that prospect is encouraging. Even as many of the State’s mainstay industries face challenging times, Michigan Sea Grant staff continue to work toward economic stability in the areas of whitefish marketing, the Michigan Clean Marina Program, ecotourism development, and many other programs. This issue of upwellings highlights some of these innovative projects. These Sea Grant activities promote economic development while enhancing the health and sustainability of the Great Lakes. That combination lies at the heart of Michigan’s “blue water economy,” a vital component of a vibrant economic future. Donald Scavia |