Paul Schutt, co-founder and co-CEO of Issue Media Publications, is the co-host of this month's show. Schutt's company has multiple online publications that deal with development and positive stories about people and businesses working to revitalize Michigan. Research shows how people are moving to cities not because of jobs, but because of what he communities have to offer.
Ken Nacci, president of Downtown Kalamazoo Inc. explains how his community is quickly becoming known for the development taking place there and how it's starting to draw college-educated millennials. Development leads to economic progress.
Carol Coletta is president and CEO of Chicago-based CEOs for Cities. She's also host and producer of the nationally syndicated public radio show, Smart City. She talks ways to develop great cities that excel in the areas most critical to urban success: talent, connections, innovation and distinctiveness. Having talented people is vital to a community's success.
Vincent Kitch is formerly of Lansing and is now heavily involved in the arts, entertainment and cultural community in Austin, Texas. He currently Cultural Arts Program Manager at the City of Austin's Cultural Arts Division. He talks about how Austin officials promote themselves as the music capital of the world. There are many lessons Michigan can learn from Austin, Texas. Austin, Texas has bred a culture of encouraging creativity.
Sean Mann of the Let's Save Michigan group talks about a recent poster contest his organization did with the Detroit Insititute of Arts and the effort to have people sign a petition at lestsavemichigan.com to support the arts in Michigan. Supporting the arts is one way we can rebuild Michigan's cities.
Dan Gilmartin, executive director and CEO of the Michigan Municipal League, kicks things off by explaining how having improved public transportation will play a key role in revitalizing Michigan. Dan explains why this show is focusing on transportation and public transit.
The importance of public transportation: Journalist Jeff Gerritt, award-winning editorial writer for the Detroit Free Press, is the co-host of this show and talks about the history of public transportation in metro Detroit. Did you know Detroit had the first paved highway in the world? Gerritt, who lives in Detroit, discusses how improving public transit leads to a higher quality of life. Gerritt explains how he lives in Detroit and how many people like him want the urban experience.
Transit attracts young people: Oakland County Businessman Alan Kiriluk, founder and chairman of KIRCO, one of the leading real estate organizations in the Midwest. He talks about the need for public transit to retain our young people and create jobs and he doesn’t rule out raising taxes as a funding option. A little bit of public tax dollars can go along way when it comes to providing public transportation in communities.
Transit and today’s youth: U-M Instructor and Urban Planning expert Peter Allen discusses how young people today rely less on the automobile than did their parents and grandparents. He explains that “trolleys are sexy” to young people and how a commuter rail line from Howell to Ann Arbor to Detroit would be a major boost to Michigan’s economy. People in every community need to look at what they have in their area that makes for a viable community. Allen also explains today’s young people have a different view of public transportation than their parents and grandparents did.
Cooperation is key to success: Don Stypula, executive director of the Grand Valley Metropolitan Council, talks about efforts to improve public transportation in Kent and Ottawa Counties. He explains that governmental cooperation is key to having a successful public transit system. Cooperation among officials in Kent County plays a big role in the public transportation strides made in west Michigan.
According to the last US Census, 2/3 of college graduates between 24 and 35 chose where they wanted to live before they looked for a job.
Nearly half of Michiganders between the ages of 18-34 say they would visit downtown Detroit more often if there was a better transit system in place.
46% of Michigan's college graduates are leaving the state within a year of graduation.
Ann Arbor offers more than 200 unique dining experiences.
Each year Detroit’s peak-time commuters spend an average of 52 hours sitting in traffic congestion, which wastes 34 gallons of gas per person.
Michigan’s metropolitan areas account for 88% of the state’s gross domestic product and are home to 89% of the jobs.
Traverse City’s walkable downtown boasts more than 150 boutiques, galleries, and restaurants.
Detroit has the second-largest theater district in North America, after New York City.
Every $1 invested in public transit returns around $6 in local economic activity.
Cheers! Michigan ranks 6th in the nation in the number of brewpubs and microbreweries.
