Community well-being is closely related to education levels.

Job Growth. The knowledge-based economy is where all the growth in good paying jobs is occurring. According to a study released in January 2008 by Michigan Future, Inc., "regions without concentrations of talent will have great difficulty retaining or attracting knowledge-based enterprises, nor are they likely to be the place where new knowledge-based enterprises are created."

Economic Prosperity. The same study showed that areas with high concentrations of well-educated workers not only have more households with incomes of $75,000 or more, but also have fewer households with incomes of less than $25,000. Wages for non-college educated workers are declining, while wages for college graduates continue to increase.

Quality of Life. The health of a community is directly tied to the health of the local economy. Thriving communities have lower rates of crime and unemployment and higher rates of home ownership. The Michigan Future study shows that knowledge-based industries are attracted to communities with high numbers of college graduates. Thriving, vibrant cities attract young college graduates.

These issues effect us all.