This morning, Gov. Snyder claimed at the Michigan Agriculture Exposition at Michigan State University that agriculture is one of Michigan's "Big 3" industries, along with the automotive industry and tourism. The Detroit Free Press cited Mackinac Center research that these analyses are flawed because they include cereal factories, wholesalers, retailers such as grocery stores, and restaurants in measuring the economic impact.
James Hohman, assistant director of fiscal policy, says glossing agriculture among Michigan's top industries is a stretch.
"Agriculture is an important part of the state economy, but it’s a gross overstatement to claim that it’s the state’s second-largest industry."
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