University of Michigan Offers Aid to Michigan Economy

The University of Michigan has always been the life blood of the town of Ann Arbor. It has been a wealth of knowledge and a growth of industry for ages. During the early 20th century, Ann Arbor held steady while Detroit, Flint, Ypsilanti and Pontiac grew because of the auto industry. However once the auto industry left, all of the major manufacturing towns withered and died. Because the university continued to invite academic discovery and attract businesses, Ann Arbor has been able to avoid the failures that have hit the surrounding towns. I grew up in Ann Arbor and for the many that have grown up in this town, we tend to take for granted what we have. We have a town that thrives throughout the entire year. From ‘95 to ‘04 Pfizer was operating heavily in Ann Arbor. This business was one the major industries that attracted workers to Ann Arbor. It carried the town through the summer when the students when home and it pumped a lot of money into the economy. When Pfizer left in ‘07 Ann Arbor took a major hit within the local economy. Because of the leave it caused the direct shutdown of several local shops and a major hit on the housing market. The article is saying that the university will be stepping up to cover the opening that Pfizer has left with it’s absence. It would be interesting to see what the university plans to do, or any goals that it may have. I know that because of living in Ann Arbor I haven’t felt the economic impact as heavily as other cities. It is very easy to get lured into a sense of security by living in Ann Arbor. But if you go 30 miles out of town to Flint or Jackson, the effects of the economic recession are very apparent. Citizens of Ann Arbor owe a lot to the University of Michigan. Almost everyone that I know work directly for the University or their businesses are supported by the students. Thank you U of M, we do appreciate what you do.