ABSTRACT
Michigan's economy rests primarily on a three-pronged base of manufacturing, agriculture, and recreation and tourism. Significant changes have taken place in the nature and importance of various manufacturing activities in Michigan since the emphasis on the processing of agricultural and forest products. The pattern of distribution of value added by manufacturing in Michigan shows an overwhelming concentration in the southern one-third of the state, especially in the southeast. Tourism and recreation compose the second most important industry in Michigan. The distribution of tourists is related to the pull of various natural and cultural attractions, the access via various transportation routes, and the location of potential users in the dense urban concentrations in both southern Michigan and nearby states. The importance of the automotive industry to Michigan is illustrated by the number of employees, amount of earnings, number of local suppliers, and value of local purchases in seven cities where General Motors has plants.
