Michigan Business Beat | Mackinac Policy Conf. 2026 - Britany Affolter-Caine & Tyler Theile - #MPC26

Chris Holman speaks with Dr. Britany Affolter-Caine and Tyler Theile, from Media Row, at the Grand Hotel, while at the 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference. https://miresearchuniversities.org/ Dr. Britany Affolter-Caine, executive director of Research Universities for Michigan (RU4M), and Tyler Theile, COO of the Anderson Economic Group, joined host Chris Holman at the Mackinac Policy Conference to share findings from a new economic impact study on Michigan's four R1 research universities. With Michigan Tech's recent elevation to R1 status, the study — conducted by the Anderson Group using a methodology consistent since 2007 — found that the four universities generate nearly $36 billion in net new economic activity in Michigan, and over $53 billion when measuring their full economic footprint, representing 7.1% of state GDP. The universities also attract $1.8 billion in federal R&D funding that would not otherwise come to Michigan, offering residents a return on taxpayer dollars sent to Washington. Affolter-Caine also highlighted the newly formed Innovation Alliance, a statewide advocacy coalition bringing together university, founder, funder, and corporate stakeholders to advance Michigan's innovation economy and better compete with peer states like Ohio; more information is available at miresearchuniversities.org. » Visit MBN website: http://www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Watch MBN’s YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: http://www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: http://twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/