The economic well-being of Michiganders is getting worse: Part 2

When broad economic prosperity is your goal–when you want to see all households growing in income and financial stability–what you measure really matters. Michigan Future has put together a very clear set of up-to-date data that paint the picture of Michigan families’ economic well-being. It’s not pretty. In our first post on this data, I […]

The economic well-being of Michiganders is getting worse: Part 1

At Michigan Future, our goal is prosperity for all Michigan families. That doesn’t mean just a high GDP or low unemployment. We all know there are plenty of jobs that don’t pay well, and plenty of people working multiple jobs and barely hanging in there. We put together this set of infographics (you can download […]

What should Detroit high schools be doing differently? We asked some of their alumni

High schools that understand their mission to be the preparation of students who can be successful in any environment they choose after leaving high school–especially in pursuit of a college degree–also understand that they need data on how their alumni do, and what challenges they face. They need to create a feedback loop wherein their […]

Transportation is the most important placemaking public investment

We finish our new report, “A path to good-paying careers for all Michiganders: Creating places across Michigan where people want to live and work,” and this blog series, with a deep dive into transportation. Transportation is at the epicenter of most of the themes of this report. It is Exhibit A––along with Flint water––of the […]

Michigan needs to invest in world-class 21st century infrastructure

As the tragedy of Flint reminded us all, up to date infrastructure is an essential ingredient to livable communities. Transportation, water, energy and digital communications systems need to be world class for Michigan communities to compete for talent. Our new report, “Creating places across Michigan where people want to live and work” goes into detail […]

Why being “welcoming to all” is a key part of placemaking

The state must do its part to ensure that no talented workers are turned off and turned away by Michigan’s communities. That means a legal framework that prohibits all forms of discrimination, and access to the resources necessary for social and economic mobility. Being welcoming, in particular toward racial and ethnic minorities; lesbian, gay, bisexual, […]

Why placemaking is critical for Michigan’s prosperity

Over two decades of research has taught us one fundamental lesson: Talent = economic growth. The key to retaining and attracting talent is creating places where people want to live, work and play. Then-New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg got it right when he wrote in a Financial Times column: “The most creative individuals want […]

Where do kids learn the most critical 21st century skills?

Last week a friend forwarded me an article from Slate about the students at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School who have emerged as new leaders of a pro-gun control movement. I had remarked that I was struck by their poise, clear communication, and ability to work together. These kids look like seasoned professionals. If one […]

Homelessness and Michigan’s Children

Last week I heard a sad but important interview with Matthew Desmond, Pulitzer prize-winning author of Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City and now founder of The Eviction Lab, an effort to compile and analyze eviction data nationally. He made a compelling case that eviction is a national emergency on par with the […]