Danielle Horton, 21, will be graduating in May from Michigan State University with a degree in social work and a debt that worries her. “I will be approximately $60,000 in debt,” says the mother of two young children. “It’s discouraging. I pray I make enough money to afford tuition for my children so they will […]
As student debts mount, universities see little good news in state budget figures
Posted inBusiness Watch
What’s up, who’s down in state economy?
While the Holland area may be better known to outsiders for its Dutch heritage and pristine Lake Michigan beaches, the locals know its economy is driven by manufacturing. The area suffered as manufacturing output fell by a third during the Great Recession. Unemployment exceeded 13 percent. But a strong rebound by auto suppliers, office furniture […]
Posted inBusiness Watch
Mapping Michigan’s growth in 2011
While Michigan has 83 counties and hundreds upon hundreds of communities, when it comes to economics, the only number that really matters is 14. That figure represents the “metropolitan statistical areas” defined by the federal government as cohesive economic units. Those 14 places – sometimes a single county, sometimes multiple counties – account for nearly […]
Posted inBusiness Watch
How did your city’s economy do in 2011?
PICTURE OF PROGRESS: Downtown Grand Rapids and the rest of the Grand Rapids-Wyoming MSA posted a 2.3 percent growth rate in 2011, matching the statewide figure. (Bridge archive photo) The Holland-Grand Haven area had the best 2011 when it came to economic growth in 2011 – at least as it compared to 2010. Still, though, […]
Posted inBusiness Watch
From the ashes of Hudson’s, finally a phoenix for Detroit?
NEW LIFE FOR SITE?: The J.L. Hudson store’s enormous flag was unfurled on its Woodward Avenue facade on Flag Day 1976. The banner, called the world’s largest at the time, now rests in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. At a policy conference in Detroit last week, Matt Cullen of Rock Ventures announced a proposal […]
Posted inLand O Links
Land O Links
* The Kalamazoo Promise (which offers college scholarships) is paying dividends: “We find positive effects of the Kalamazoo Promise on Promise eligible students large enough to be deemed important—about a 9 percent increase in the probability of earning any credits and one less suspension day per year. We also find large increases in GPA among African-American students.” […]
Posted inTalent & Education
School experts, parents will review K-12 report in televised townhall
On March 6 the Center for Michigan will host a televised townhall meeting in partnership with Detroit Public Television on the future of education in Michigan to discuss the nonprofit think tank’s latest report: “The Public’s Agenda for Public Education: How Michigan citizens want to improve student learning.” This event will be aired live from […]
Posted inPhil's Column
Snyder, Detroit journalist offer hope for city mired in woe
I’m old enough — 74 — to remember the days when Detroit was a thriving city and a magnet for folks throughout Michigan. When I was a little boy, my mother would put on her white gloves and hat and take me to the enormous J. L. Hudson store downtown. At that time, it was […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
Guest column: Make businesses pay their fair share for schools, roads, universities
By Rep. Pam Faris Doug Rothwell, president and CEO of Business Leaders for Michigan, recently proposed a three-point plan to get Michigan moving. Rothwell’s plan applauds Gov. Rick Snyder’s proposed budget for fiscal 2014, acknowledging his investments in pre-K education, community colleges and higher education and the rebuilding of our infrastructure. While I agree that […]
Posted inTalent & Education
Pursuit of money, learning mix
Do the profit motive and learning mix? In Michigan, the answer, so far, is – yes. Students at Michigan charter schools operated by for-profit companies perform the same or better academically as their peers at charters run by nonprofits, according to a Bridge Magazine analysis. While they perform the same, they don’t always perform well. […]
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