t's no accident that the National Association of Manufacturers is now presided over by a former Michigan Governor. Or that the National Center for Manufacturing Sciences is headquartered in Ann Arbor.
      Innovation and industry go hand in hand in Michigan, whether under the hood, under your skin or on your desktop. A broadened incentives program, combined with an increased focus on venture capital attraction and job retention, are helping the state broaden its economic base. Against that background, business taxes will receive close scrutiny in the coming year by Gov. Jennifer Granholm and state legislators. One corporate bean-counter calls the state's tax structure "reasonable" — especially in comparison with other Great Lakes states. Others, even as they invest in projects, say the state could use some serious tax reform.
      Meanwhile, Michigan companies new and old, domestic and foreign-owned, are making statements with major capital investments.