Michigan's Statewide Job Portal Shuts Down as Legislature Debates New Economic Development Strategy

State Job Site Closes, Pointing to Other Resources

Michigan's statewide job portal, the Michigan Career Portal, will shut down on April 30, 2026, after 2.5 years of operation. The online job site, which provided roughly 120,000 job listings statewide, launched in 2023 as part of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation's "You Can in Michigan" marketing campaign aimed at attracting workers to the state.

The portal, which uses FutureFit AI technology to match job seekers with positions based on their experience, education, certifications, and skills, is closing without a clear replacement plan. In its closure announcement, the Michigan Career Portal directed job seekers to other resources, including Michigan Works! and Pure Michigan Talent Connect.

"Despite those results, the portal did not receive funding in the State of Michigan's fiscal year 2026 budget," according to WCMU Public Radio. The site's closure announcement noted that an internal survey conducted in May 2025 gathered responses from more than 26,000 users, with nearly 60 percent reporting they had found job opportunities through the site.

A case study by Jongeun You, a Northern Michigan University assistant professor and member of the university's artificial intelligence work group, found the portal's AI "reduces the time burden for job seekers and increases the likelihood of successful matches, contributing to higher engagement and application rates." The study found the average click rate on the application button for a job posting on the Michigan Career Portal was 15 percent, significantly higher than the approximately 5 percent average for other career sites.

Despite these results, the portal did not receive funding in the State of Michigan's fiscal year 2026 budget. An MEDC spokesperson told WKAR News no one was available to comment on the closure.

SOAR Fund Eliminated Sparks Debate Over Economic Development

The closure of the Michigan Career Portal comes in the wake of the elimination of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's flagship corporate incentive program, the Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve (SOAR) fund, which was defunded last year. SOAR was widely criticized for being costly and not delivering on promised jobs.

Since the elimination of SOAR, House Republicans and Senate Democrats have introduced rival legislation aimed at boosting economic development. Both proposals would allow businesses to capture a portion of the income tax withheld for new employees above a certain wage level, representing a shift from the upfront cash-for-jobs strategy previously used by SOAR.

According to a Senate Fiscal Agency analysis, SOAR was the state's overarching economic development tool. However, testimony indicated it has not been impactful.

House Republicans Propose 'Real Jobs for Michigan'

The House Republican proposal, called "Real Jobs for Michigan," is sponsored by Reps. Mike Hoadley, R-Auburn, and Mark Tisdel, R-Rochester Hills, and is currently pending in the Finance Committee. The bill would let companies that hire new employees keep 50% of their state income tax withholding.

Instead of the full 4.25% state income tax going to the government, employers would keep 2.125% of each new employee's salary. All businesses that create one or more full-time jobs paying at least 150% of the median hourly wage for that area could apply, but incentives would be capped at $50 million.

According to Tisdel, the House Republican package includes three key elements: no upfront money, it's run through the Department of Treasury, and it's made available to any business.

"We don't want upfront money, it's run through the Department of Treasury and made available to any business," Tisdel said. "Something needs to change, and this is just the direction we've decided we want to head."

Senate Democrats Propose 'More Jobs for Michigan'

The Senate's proposal, called "More Jobs for Michigan," sponsored by Sen. Sam Singh, D-East Lansing, is in the Committee of the Whole. Businesses deemed eligible would sign written agreements with the state and could receive up to 100% of withholding tax capture revenues for new jobs.

The plan targets certain sectors of the economy such as aerospace and defense, life sciences, AI, semiconductors and automotive, according to a presentation from Singh to the Senate Regulatory Affairs Committee. His proposal excludes retailers, stadiums and casinos.

Eligibility would begin at 25 new jobs created, with median wage requirements varying between 135% and 175%, depending on the employer's number of jobs created, investments made and location. For the Upper Peninsula, 135% would equal $29.19 and 175% would be $37.84. For the Detroit Metro region, 135% would equal $33.33 and 175% would be $43.21.

The legislation would also provide a separate credit for businesses that retain jobs at risk of leaving the state.

Key Differences Between Proposals

A key difference between the two proposals is the agency that would administer the funds. While the House's plan chooses the Department of Treasury, the Senate's version designates the Michigan Economic Development Corp (MEDC).

In an interview on WKAR-TV, House Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland, said he thinks the big sticking point is that they don't want it to be through MEDC, and traditionally it's gone through MEDC.

MEDC's Vice President of Communications Courtney Overbey Martinez said, "We welcome conversations with legislators from both chambers who are interested in creating the tools necessary to deliver opportunities that will bring good, local jobs to our communities."

Leadership Agreement Falls Short

Despite an agreement between Hall, Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks, D-Grand Rapids, and Whitmer last year to come to a consensus on economic development, Tisdel said, "there hasn't seemed to be the push between those three."

"My guess would be that leadership has moved on from these particular bill packages," Tisdel said, adding that House leadership will introduce a more comprehensive economic development plan.

Business Community Opinions Differ

Opinions in the business community differ on the proposals. The Detroit Regional Chamber supports the Senate bills, according to written testimony to the Regulatory Affairs Committee. However, the Small Business Association of Michigan and the Detroit Regional Chamber are on opposite sides of the issue. The Mackinac Center in Midland doesn't like either version.

The debate over Michigan's economic development strategy continues as the state seeks to replace the defunded SOAR fund with a new approach to incentivizing job creation. Both proposals represent a shift away from the direct cash subsidies that characterized SOAR, instead focusing on allowing businesses to retain a portion of income tax withholding from new employees.

As the Michigan Career Portal winds down its operations, the state faces the challenge of determining which economic development model will best serve Michigan's workers and businesses in the coming years.