Michigan 2014
The capital city of Michigan is Lansing, a mid-sized city located in the south-central part of the state. It is home to the state government, as well as numerous educational institutions and cultural attractions. According to countryaah.com, the largest city in Michigan is Detroit, located in the southeastern corner of the state. It is a major metropolitan area with a population of over 673,000 people. Detroit has a rich history and diverse culture that includes many music and art scenes, museums, theaters, sports teams, and more. It also serves as an important hub for business and industry in the Midwest region of the United States.
Politics of Michigan in 2014
In 2014, Michigan was a politically dynamic state. The gubernatorial election in November was highly contested, with Republican incumbent Rick Snyder facing off against Democrat Mark Schauer. The campaign centered around economic issues, with both candidates competing to present their plans for job growth and tax reform.
Meanwhile, the state legislature was in a period of transition as the Republican majority had been weakened in the previous election cycle. Democrats were making gains in both chambers and were looking to gain more ground during the November elections.
The national political landscape also had an influence on Michigan politics in 2014, as the state was seen as a bellwether for the upcoming presidential race. In particular, Michigan’s large population of independent voters made it an interesting battleground for both parties.
On the policy front, 2014 saw a number of important legislative victories for Michigan residents. In April, Governor Snyder signed into law a bill that raised the minimum wage from $7.40 to $8.15 per hour and also required employers to provide paid sick leave to employees who worked more than 25 hours per week. This legislation was widely praised by labor advocates and won support from both sides of the aisle in Lansing.
In October, Governor Snyder signed a bill that legalized medical marijuana use in Michigan — making it one of 23 states at the time that allowed such use for medicinal purposes — and also decriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana for recreational use. This legislation garnered significant public support across partisan lines and received praise from advocacy groups on both sides of the issue.
Overall, 2014 was an important year for politics in Michigan — one which saw major changes to policy at both state and local levels while setting up key races ahead of 2016’s presidential election cycle.
Population of Michigan in 2014
In 2014, according to beautyphoon, Michigan was home to 9.9 million people, making it the tenth most populous state in the country. The population was diverse and included a mix of racial and ethnic groups. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the racial makeup of Michigan was 79.5% White (non-Hispanic), 14.2% African American, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 2.3% Asian American, 0.3% Native American and Alaska Native, 0.1% Pacific Islander and 1.2% from two or more races.
The largest metropolitan area in Michigan is Detroit-Warren-Dearborn with 4 million people in 2014 — a figure that has been steadily declining since the 1950s due to out-migration of residents from the city to suburbs and other parts of the state as well as population losses due to deindustrialization and economic decline over time.
Michigan’s economy has traditionally relied on manufacturing but other industries have been growing In recent years, — particularly those related to technology and knowledge-based services such as engineering, research & development, healthcare IT services, business process outsourcing etc., which have provided new job opportunities for Michigan residents.
Michigan also has a large number of small businesses that employ local residents — many of them operating in sectors such as agriculture, tourism & hospitality services or retail & wholesale trade — while also being important drivers of economic growth in their respective communities across the state..
In addition to its diverse population and growing economy, Michigan is known for its stunning natural beauty — including picturesque lakeside towns along Lake Huron and Lake Michigan; lush forests with abundant wildlife; rolling hills lined with vineyards; sandy beaches along the Great Lakes; historic lighthouses; vibrant cities like Detroit & Grand Rapids; small towns steeped in history; art galleries & museums; music festivals featuring jazz & blues artists; outdoor recreation areas like Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore etc., all offering visitors unique experiences throughout every season of the year.
Economy of Michigan in 2014
According to ablogtophone, the economy of Michigan in 2014 was largely driven by the manufacturing industry which accounted for more than 18% of the state’s total output. Automotive and aerospace were two of the most important sectors in this regard, with the former contributing over $100 billion to the state’s GDP. Michigan is also home to several major automakers such as General Motors, Ford Motor Company and Chrysler Group LLC, and several suppliers such as Delphi Automotive and Visteon Corporation. The automotive industry employs more than one million people in Michigan directly or indirectly.
In addition to manufacturing, Michigan has a strong agricultural sector which contributed $15 billion to its GDP in 2014. This sector consists primarily of corn, soybeans and wheat production as well as dairy farming. The state is also home to several world-renowned wineries that produce award-winning wines from locally grown grapes. Tourism is also an important economic driver for Michigan, contributing nearly $20 billion annually to its GDP in 2014. Major attractions include the Great Lakes region; Mackinac Island; Detroit; Grand Rapids; Ann Arbor; and Traverse City among others.
The service sector was another major contributor to Michigan’s economy in 2014, accounting for over 50% of its total output with healthcare & social assistance leading the way at nearly 25%. This sector includes hospitals & health systems like Beaumont Health System, Henry Ford Health System and Spectrum Health; professional services firms such as Ernst & Young LLP and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP; financial institutions such as Comerica Bank and Chase Bank; higher education institutions like University of Michigan and Wayne State University among others.
Other notable sectors contributing significantly to Michigan’s economy include retail & wholesale trade ($15 billion), construction ($13 billion) and government ($12 billion). In all, these industries combined accounted for a total of $415 billion worth of economic activity in 2014 — making it one of the top 10 states in terms of economic output according to the U.S Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA).
Events Held in Michigan in 2014
In 2014, Michigan hosted numerous events that contributed to its economy. The largest event of the year was the Detroit International Jazz Festival, which drew over 500,000 people to the city between August 29th and September 1st. The festival featured over 100 performances from some of the world’s best jazz musicians and showcased many genres including swing, bebop, blues, funk and Latin jazz. Other performances included a tribute to Ella Fitzgerald and a salute to Motown. The festival also featured educational workshops and panel discussions on various topics related to jazz music.
In August 2014, Michigan also hosted the US Open of Surfing in Grand Haven. This event attracted thousands of surfers from around the world who competed for a $100,000 grand prize pool. The competition was held in three different divisions: Men’s Pro Division (for experienced surfers), Women’s Pro Division (for experienced female surfers) and Amateur Division (for beginner surfers). In addition to surfing competitions, there were also live music performances throughout the week-long event.
The Mackinac Island Music Festival was another popular event held in Michigan during 2014. This festival featured four days of live music from over 30 bands at various venues across Mackinac Island including Fort Mackinac Park and Mission Point Resort among others. Musical acts ranged from classic rock bands such as Journey and Lynyrd Skynyrd to contemporary artists like Ed Sheeran and Maroon 5. In addition to live music performances there were also food & beverage vendors as well as interactive activities for attendees such as yoga classes, beach volleyball tournaments and an art show featuring local artists & crafters.
The Detroit Auto Show was also held in Detroit during 2014 where automakers showcased their latest models for both domestic and international markets. This year’s show saw more than 700 vehicles on display with highlights including new models from General Motors (Chevrolet Silverado & Corvette Z06), Ford Motor Company (F-150 & Mustang GT) as well as luxury brands like Mercedes-Benz (S-Class Coupe) & BMW (M4 Coupe). There were also special events such as press conferences where automakers unveiled their new cars as well as an interactive exhibit featuring virtual reality driving experiences with select vehicles on display at the show.
Finally, Michigan also hosted several sporting events during 2014 which included professional basketball games between the Detroit Pistons & Chicago Bulls; professional baseball games between the Detroit Tigers & Cleveland Indians; college football match-ups between Central Michigan University & Western Michigan University; college basketball games between University of Michigan & Michigan State University; NASCAR races at MIS Speedway; IndyCar races at Belle Isle Park; World Cup Soccer Qualifiers at Comerica Park; PGA golf tournaments at Oakland Hills Country Club among many others. These events all helped contribute significantly to Michigan’s economy by bringing in hundreds of thousands of visitors who spent money on lodging, food & beverage purchases, souvenirs among other items while they were here visiting our great state.
