Rick Snyder brought his campaign for governor back to the city where he grew up today during an event at Burnham Brook Community Center.

Snyder, a Republican who grew up on 22nd Street in Battle Creek and is perhaps best known for his "tough nerd" campaign ads, explained to about 40 people why he wants a job people think he's crazy to consider.

Michigan's economy has been on a downward spiral for decades, he said, and its state government is broken. To fix everything, Snyder said, the state needs someone other than a career politician.

Snyder graduated from Lakeview High School in 1976. He is a former executive at computer-maker Gateway and a venture capitalist who now lives near Ann Arbor.

"I think there are some well-intentioned people" in politics, Snyder said, "but they're from a broken system, and it's time to innovate. It's time to fundamentally reinvent our state."

To do that, Snyder said Michigan needs to build a more diverse economy and work to improve the quality of life for its residents. A key part of Snyder's plan is to revitalize Michigan cities and make the state more attractive to young, professional adults.

Government "should be able to look at life through your eyes — as citizens, as customers — and say 'How do we help you become successful and how do we get out of the way?'" he said.