For most of the 20th century, we didn’t just enjoy economic success in Michigan, we defined it. Our innovators and entrepreneurs created the world’s most productive companies, and our unions made sure that productivity led to broad middle class prosperity.

Meaning of the quote

In the 20th century, Michigan was an economic powerhouse. Our innovators and business leaders created highly successful companies that made the world's best products. At the same time, our labor unions made sure that the profits from all that productivity went to benefit the middle class, not just the company owners. This combination of innovation and fair wages helped make Michigan a major driver of economic success throughout much of the 1900s.