An executive of Michigan’s most iconic company raised the alarm about the state’s direction on Monday, while reaffirming his support for an unconventional Governor candidate in this year’s race.

Bill Ford, Executive Chair of Ford Motor Company, spoke to an audience of business professionals at the Economic Club of Grand Rapids on Monday, voicing concern as Michigan’s economic competitiveness has stagnated or declined in recent years.

 “I’m trying to help get the state business friendly again, because we’re headed in the wrong direction,” Ford said.

As Michigan struggles to attract new businesses, the state has handed out an unprecedented amount of corporate welfare and incentives, although the results have not matched the massive expense.

While Michigan has spent over $4 billion in corporate welfare under Whitmer, some economic analysts point to the state’s education system and infrastructure as the real issue underpinning its sluggish growth.

A Mackinac Center study ranked Michigan 3rd worst in the country for power outages and tied for worst for educational choice.

Still, Ford expressed optimism about the state, pointing out its numerous advantages, such as abundant fresh water and industrial expertise.

“This should be the greatest state in the country,” Ford said at the event.

In addition to heading the state’s most well-known company, Ford has not been afraid to weigh in on politics both nationally and at the state level.

In the 2026 Gubernatorial election, Ford has backed former Detroit Mayor and Independent candidate Mike Duggan, who is currently competitive in polling.

Ford and other auto executives, as well as union leaders, have also praised President Donald Trump for attempting to revitalize American manufacturing with his trade policy.

President Donald Trump, Ford said, “really has voiced what some of us have been trying to get people to listen to for the last 20 years, which is, we are losing our industrial base.”

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