Predictions by some range from exponential growth in the high-tech sector to steady increases in advanced manufacturing thanks to General Motors. Even growth in the biotechnology sector can be counted on.

“By [2027] this region will have experienced an economic diversification and cultural change unlike any other in our history. Regionalization of the economy will be a huge part of that growth,” said David Hollister, president and CEO of the Prima Civitas Foundation, an economic development collaborative focused on accelerating the transfer of knowledge from Michigan State University’s research labs to new enterprises.

Hollister envisions the commercialization of MSU’s intellectual property to be instrumental in the radical economic shift, along with the quest for alternative energy.

“We will have exerted ourselves in alternative fuels because of our proximity to MSU and its agriculture research ability and the advanced auto manufacturing sector,” Hollister added.

He also pointed to the continued growth of Spartan Chassis, a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, in Charlotte. Hollister expects the company, which builds mine-resistant vehicles for the United States military, to add production space and jobs over the next two decades.

Consolidation within the healthcare field will continue, too, Hollister said, resulting in more efficient and technologically advanced care for patients in mid-Michigan.

Jim van Ravensway, East Lansing planning and community development director, believes the technology transfer process from Michigan State University will result in many new information technology start-ups in the region by 2027.

“The university will see tremendous growth in its research capacity with both physical and economic growth tied to that,” said van Ravensway. “In 20 years the major economic anchors of today will still exist: state government, MSU and General Motors. But beyond that, high-level and good paying-jobs in information technology and biotechnology will exist.”

Warehousing and distribution will also be areas of growth for the region considering our centralized location in the region, van Ravensway added.

The City of Lansing is focusing some of its economic development efforts on the retention of businesses that already call the city home, said Bob Trezise, president of the

Lansing Economic Development Corp. Those results will greatly impact how the city’s economic landscape appears in 20 years.

City economic leaders expect to visit more than 200 Lansing businesses in 2007 to determine their needs. “We want to make sure we keep what we have. They play a huge part in the future of Lansing and how successful we will be in growing the economic base,” Trezise explained.

Downtown Lansing will be the focal point of this region’s economic future, he stated, since it will be critical in attracting new workers and their families.

“We will have profound skyline changes, a mix of residential and office with new parks and culture involved downtown 20 years from now. I envision a modern and beautiful lifestyle to being downtown along an enhanced riverfront,” Trezise said.

Trezise noted he and Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero expect GM to further expand car assembly operations near the site of the new Lansing Delta Township plant. “GM has over 700 acres still available in that area to develop. Lansing will be the pinnacle of GM’s manufacturing hub.”

The Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP), comprised of private business and local government leaders, was introduced earlier this year to promote business and economic development for the tri-county region. The shift from a single-focused manufacturing economy to one that is diversified in life sciences, new technologies and alternative energy will have to occur in the next 20 years, explained Liz Haar, co-chair for LEAP and president and CEO of Accident Fund.

“The only way to turn our economy around is by working together and bringing together key development components. The tri-county area should be the center of economic development in the whole state,” Haar said.

Financial and insurance services are only two of the areas Haar expects to see tremendous growth by 2027.

“We will continue to move away from being only a manufacturing region with many more jobs in the tech area. Diversity in the community will be increasing,” Haar added.