I know there are plenty of disbelievers who read these threads and think that "failed businesses" is largely a Detroit problem, and that "Oakland County is doing just fine". Allow me to offer evidence to the contrary, in the form of a letter from a partner in a Troy law firm who seems unable to recruit new employees.

Read it and weep--and pour a glass of milk on the ground in memory of Pleasantville, USA.

We’d like to stay in Michigan, but we have a problem. It’s not taxes or
regulations. There’s lots of talk about these issues but they have no
impact on our business. We spend more on copiers and toner than we do
on state taxes.

Our problem is access to talent. We have high-paying positions open for
patent attorneys in the software and semiconductor space. Even though
it is one of the best hiring environments for IP firms in 40 years, we
cannot fill these positions. Most qualified candidates live out of state
and simply will not move here, even though they are willing to relocate
to other cities. Our recruiters are very blunt. They say it is almost
impossible to recruit to Michigan without paying big premiums above
competitive salaries on the coasts.

It’s nearly a certainty that we will have to relocate [[or at a minimum
expand ) our business out of Michigan if we want to grow.
People – particularly affluent and educated people – just don’t want to
live here.
http://rustwire.com/2011/03/11/michi...iving-us-away/