Years ago I heard a presentation by folks who were involved in the development of the Portland Oregon streetcar system. They described it as development-oriented transit, not transit-oriented development. They wanted to emphasize that the main purpose was central city…
As we explored in my last post, Michigan is now a top tier state in ratings of business climate, but a lower tier state in what matters to Michiganders: jobs and income. For at least two decades we have been…
Crain's Detroit Business featured talent in their Mackinac Conference edition. Four articles. All worth checking out! They highlight the importance, challenges and opportunities of preparing, retaining and attracting talent. An essential ingredient for future Michigan growth. Crain's convened a roundtable…
As we have written frequently being highly ranked in business climate rankings seems increasingly to be the goal/measuring stick of economic policy makers and too many pundits. Rather than having a good economy. Problem is Michiganders can’t pay their bills…
Fascinating Crain's Detroit Business article entitled "So why does a business leave northern Michigan for Florida? Sometimes, it's talent, not taxes." The story is about a Cadillac digital medical records company – BlueWare – leaving Michigan for Orlando, Florida. The…
Thanks to the folks at Crain's Detroit Business for publishing my reaction to Governor Snyder's first State of the State address. You can find it here. Lots of good ideas/priorities in the speech – some quite courageous – but there…
Important and unexpected article from Crain's Detroit Business on Michigan's shortage of automotive engineers. That's right, shortage! Conventional wisdom is that we have a big competitive advantage in engineers. The story is we have a surplus, the country has a shortage.…