Wayne State University’s TechTown was intended to incubate high-tech when it was christened a decade ago. However, a survey of the 63 tenants now operating out of the 84-year-old, 120,000-square-foot former Chevy Creative Services building in central Detroit shows nearly two-thirds are doing things other than high-tech. The survey by Bridge Magazine shows life sciences, […]
TechTown broadens focus from high-tech
Posted inBusiness Watch
How far will Midtown's momentum go?
There are two Detroits in the life of Theo Nicholaidis. The first is a city of cafes and galleries, with his favorite crepe restaurant just down the block from his two-bedroom condo, a newly rehabbed unit with hardwood floors, a fireplace and deck. “We go for walks at night through the neighborhood,” Nicholaidis said. “There […]
Posted inBusiness Watch
TechTown firms pleased, but see alleys of opportunity
Tenants at Wayne State University’s TechTown gave an average score of 8 out of 10 when asked by Bridge Magazine to rate the level of incubation and acceleration assistance provided by the business incubator. Said Keith Young, founder and executive adviser to Ecotek: “A lot of the acceleration is left up to the entrepreneur.” Ecotek […]
Posted inQuality of Life
Advocate keeps selling Detroit to young professionals
Dave Egner has traveled a long way to end up right where he started. Egner’s hometown is a third of the population it was in 1950. It has a high poverty rate and high crime rate. Ninety percent of its residents are African American. It’s surrounded by richer communities. Having grown up in East St. […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Is reform of liquor rules already in trouble?
Gov. Rick Snyder and his team are eying Michigan’s antiquated liquor control regulations. The governor appointed an advisory panel to study streamlining regulations to make them more business-friendly. He appointed a new head of the Liquor Control Commission from the Michigan Restaurant Association — a business advocacy group. The pieces are moving into place for […]
Posted inQuality of Life
Fresh food firm grows into Detroit role
How many of you would raise an eyebrow at a story linking the term “food desert” with Detroit? Just one more bit of tough news for a city with a plate piled high with challenges, right? Well, the reality is different — and better. There are more grocery stores in Michigan’s largest city than most […]
Posted inBusiness Watch
Students left with little guidance in high schools
High school seniors are expected to ask their guidance counselors where they can find work in Michigan. Their guidance counselors, though, may be asking the same question. At a time when Michigan teens are struggling to find their footing in a changing economy, schools are thinning the ranks of guidance counselors. State schools averaged one […]
Posted inBusiness Watch
Analysis: 'Economic Life' missed nonprofits' impact
Editor’s note: As part of our ongoing “Economic Life” coverage, we asked two observers to give their analysis of Bridge’s in-depth look into the state’s economic performance and job prospects. We’ve all seen the lists that show the growing and shrinking sectors of Michigan’s economy. Policy-makers use these inventories to help them chart the direction […]
Posted inBusiness Watch
Analysis: Five strategies to help Michiganians find work
Editor’s note: As part of our ongoing “Economic Life” coverage, we asked two observers to give their analysis of Bridge’s in-depth look into the state’s economic performance and job prospects. Bridge’s series about jobs, skills and educational attainment frames a crucial agenda for all of us in Michigan. We face a daunting, multi-dimensional policy challenge: […]
Posted inLand O Links
Land O Links
“Knowledge is of two kinds. We know a subject ourselves, or we know where we can find information on it” — Samuel Johnson, 18th-century English author. * The jury’s still out on whether Gov. Rick Snyder’s approach to renewable energy will be better than his predecessor’s: http://mlui.org/landwater/fullarticle.asp?fileid=17517 * Where it is dangerous to be a […]
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