Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s community is mindful of Michigan’s infrastructure, education and economy

Recruits for the groups come from across the state and include former lawmakers, union leaders, business owners, educators, nonprofit officials and at least one current student: Emily Hoyumpa, president of Michigan State University’s Associated Students.

“These members represent a range of professions, communities and perspectives – all of which are essential to developing a comprehensive growth strategy,” Whitmer said in a statement announcing the appointments.

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Voting members and task force participants include both Republicans and Democrats, but some Republicans have criticized the council, predicting that its recommendations would ultimately give the governor the ability to raise taxes to fund road repairs or increase spending in other areas .

The Growing Michigan Together Council faces a difficult task: Michigan remains the 10th largest state in the country with a population of about 10 million, but ranks 49th out of 50 in terms of population growth since 1990.

Experts say Michigan lags behind other states in jobs, income, health, educational achievement, public services and other metrics that help attract and retain residents. Michigan’s population also tends to age as more young adults leave the state.

The average age of voting members of the Population Council is about 52, according to the US Census Bureau, which is still well above the state’s average age of 40.

The new working group members are significantly younger, many of them in their twenties.