Michigan has the highest unemployment rate in the nation, and on Thursday, state leaders asked for help to solve their ongoing economic troubles.

State Representative John Proos, along with his "Strategic Task Force on Jobs for Michigan," spent the day touring southwest Michigan businesses, looking for ideas on the best ways to utilize the state's work force.

The task force is specifically exploring biosciences, agriculture, and tourism in southwest Michigan.

"We really have great assets that if we use that as a tool for growth and development, we'll be that much stronger for the purpose of jobs in the future," said Proos.

The job task force will tour other parts of the state, looking for more ideas.

Meantime, some help is on the way. The Wolverine State is receiving close to $70 million to hire more people to help with unemployment services.