Benson: I'll Be Different From Whitmer On Business Growth

(Source: MIRS.news, Published 08/12/2026) (DETROIT) – Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jocelyn Benson says the issue that will separate her from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will be economic development.

Benson said that Michigan needs to put greater emphasis on helping homegrown businesses grow, find markets and raise incomes.

That's a different emphasis from Whitmer's economic development strategy on injecting billions of dollars into large advanced-manufacturing projects and helping the automotive industry transition to electric vehicles.

The entrepreneurs who met with Benson at TechTown Detroit urged the state to look beyond the number of jobs created when deciding where to invest economic development dollars.

The TechTown Detroit facility is connected to Wayne State University. It offers space and resources to entrepreneurs across industries, from sickle cell testing services to media groups to retailers on the Etsy website.

She spoke to business owners who said they want the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) – the state's public-private business attraction arm – to consider future revenue growth over the headcount of jobs.

Benson speaks to media at the TechTown Detroit entrepreneurship hub. Photo by MIRS.

Although industrial plants are more likely to supply numerous job positions, today's entrepreneurs argue they might not offer the same potential for revenue growth.

“Our wages are stagnant because we haven't been leveraging state funds in a way that actually invests in growing our economy,” Benson said. “I'm all about transparency and public dashboards that will engage the public in tracking that progress, but people will also experience that progress themselves by seeing businesses grow in their communities.”

Too often, she said, driving down main streets means seeing windows darkened and doors shuttered as small businesses leave to find markets elsewhere.

"We'll start to see and experience change as we grow and diversify our economy, see incomes go up by investing in small business development and creation and ensuring we're not just helping them start and grow, but we're helping them find markets here, as well," Benson said.

One of the business owners who spoke with Benson was Justin Turk, the founder of ConStrat AI. The business helps construction market companies develop risk and money protection plans.

The first company he started in Detroit was Livegistics, which helps businesses coordinate waste and asset management. While he's been able to raise $12 million in venture capital for Livegistics from Detroit, he said that its most active market is in Denver, more than 1,200 miles away in Colorado, and Ohio two years ago tried to get him to relocate.

"If I knew what I know now, I should have moved," Turk said. "Not only because of the funding that they give just for moving the company, but it actually came with contracts and more work at the state and at the city level."

While Turk was attempting to grow his first business, he learned that contracts with the city of Detroit and public services took four years to come to fruition.

"When you think about the speed of innovation for startups, that's just not scale," Turk said. "Our entrepreneurs should be able to be supported."

Turk added that he attended high school with U.S. Rep. John James (R-Shelby Township), the Republican nominee for governor. He said, "I'm not a fan," although he is a nice guy.

Jokingly, Benson said, "We actually are forming a group of people who went to high school with my competitor."

Also in attendance was Mamba Hamissi, the chief executive officer of Baobab Fare LLC., an East African restaurant network. He said that Michigan does not have enough technology for the food industry.

He explained that his company will work with a New York-based program that supports restaurant businesses from across the world.

"Having something like Grow New York here…so everyone, everybody can come and apply," Hamissi said. "We don't even have anybody in Michigan that imports coffee directly, so the market is in Chicago, Lebanon or … New York."

He expressed that transportation costs linked to New York can be an obstacle.

Another speaker was Sierra Boone, the creator of the "Nap Time Show," a children's television program to help with rest and creativity. Boone wants to offer childcare providers a program that is consistent and will help them during transition points, like when staff needs to prep for lunch.

Despite her shows being Michigan-made, Boone said her biggest markets are in Houston and Orlando.

She explained the barrier is "the culture of being able to get connected to the folks who need it the most, securing those introductions that lead to those contracts, because childcare, as you probably know, is very trust-focused … you're gatekeeping dozens of children. You need to know that that trust is there."

Other questions and answers with Benson Wednesday evening included:

The Michigan Chronicle: What did you learn through that (primary election) process?

Benson: "How hungry people are for leaders who are going to drive down costs and grow our economy, and actually try to fix broken systems. The people of Michigan know that I have a track record of taking broken systems and transforming them.

"They've experienced it firsthand through going to the Secretary of State offices. They've seen how we've been able to make government work better, and I think what you saw is a clamoring for more leaders who will lead with authenticity and sincerity and transparency.

"But also be committed to just making people's lives easier, driving down costs, increasing access to wealth-paying jobs, keeping people safe in communities and be willing to take on whatever forces, even if it's the President of the United States, even if it's wealthy and entrenched interests, in order to achieve that change."

MIRS: Do you consider yourself a Medicare for All advocate?

Benson: "I consider myself an advocate for affordable, accessible healthcare all across the state, whatever that looks like.

"To me, in this moment for states, (it's) looking to ensure our prescription drug prices are going down. It's why I propose creating a healthcare affordability board that has been proven in other states to drive down those costs. It's why I want to reform the Department of Health and Human Services to make it as seamless as possible for people to access the benefits that they're entitled to under the law.

"And it's in short contrast to John James, who has actually voted multiple times to increase healthcare costs, to make healthcare less affordable and accessible for the people of Michigan, and I do think that is the choice that voters will be facing."

The Michigan Chronicle: You're a Detroit resident. There's going to be a lot of opinions shared over the next few weeks as the city council talks about the transformation plan that Bedrock has proposed. You got any opinions on the idea of tearing down those (Renaissance Center) buildings to make way for Michigan's 'finest entertainment destination'?

Benson: "I'm all for creating spaces for people to celebrate culture and arts and entertainment that generates revenue. But at this stage, the most important thing is that the people's voices are heard in this process.

"That we have an open, transparent process so that the citizens of Detroit can be a part of deciding what that looks like, what cultural centers and other places look like in the city. That citizen engagement and involvement is our best shot in this moment of making sure anything that's developed actually serves the needs of the residents of the city and the state."