MPC157

Detroit technologyInternet in DetroitJerry Paffendorf

PODCAST: These Two People Are Completely Transforming Detroit's Tech Landscape

If you could find two people who are irrevocably changing Detroit’s landscape as far as technology goes, you’d be hard pressed to find a more impactful pair than the CEO of Rocket Fiber Marc Hudson and Founder of Loveland Technologies Jerry Paffendorf. We caught up with them at the Mackinac Policy Conference and sat for an in-depth interview touching on a variety of Detroit-centric topics. After all, Hudson is doing what some thought impossible in bringing fiber speed internet to the city (...

Auto TalentAutomotiveDetroit

Senator Gary Peters Pushing To Cultivate Talent for Auto Industry of the Future

It’s no secret that Michigan has a problem retaining the people who are educated here. U.S. Senator Gary Peters sat down with us to discuss the talent exodus in the state and what’s being done in Washington to reverse that flow. When we visited Chicago last month, it seemed that about 1 out of every 5 or so people we met were from Detroit. It’s a great world class city with tons to do, but there’s also great jobs and a robust economy that make the draw to move there very strong. The question i...

Mackinac policy conferenceMichiganMike Rowe

Mike Rowe To Teach Michigan Students About Skilled Trades In New Video Series

Mike Rowe is known for getting dirty. The host of “Somebody’s Gotta Do It” (and formerly of “Dirty Jobs”) is getting behind the camera to engage middle and high school students and show them opportunities in the skilled trades in Michigan. If you wonder “why the skilled trades, and why Mike Rowe?” here’s a little background for you. The blunt-speaking TV host is also the founder of the mikeroweWorks foundation, which encourages skilled trades across the nation. Michigan currently has a gap of...

Detroit regional chamberMackinac policy conferenceMPC15

5 Basics To Help Understand The Mackinac Policy Conference And Why It's Important

The Mackinac Policy Conference is an important event where there are lots of people making business connections that drive the economy in our region. There are great speakers, fancy trappings, and lots of smiles and energy. It’s a curious event where you might meet the mayor of a nearby suburb riding a bike next to you on your way to breakfast at the Grand Hotel, or ham it up with a CEO of a large company over a beer at a social mixer. Here are 5 things we thought might put the experience into...

Mackinac policy conferenceMPC15Peacock Room

Small Pop Up Shops From Detroit Make A Big Entrance At Mackinac

To use the parlance of today’s teens, Detroit’s small businesses knew how to bring it to the Mackinac Policy Conference. They brought pins. They brought literature. They brought pin-up girls dressed in patriotic garb who passed out the pins and literature. It was a greeting like no other. The brains behind it all? The marketing maverick known as Rachel Lutz, who is bringing her Peacock Room and its friends to Mackinac Island. Want to know how to get noticed in the best possible way among all...

Bill WildMichiganMichigan Legislature

Current Road Funding Plan "Not Enough" Says Westland Mayor: Is It Time For A Regional Approach?

Roads are a contentious issue in Michigan. Although it looks like the Michigan Legislature is on its way to allocating some money for road maintenance and improvements ($400 million in this current budget) it’s nowhere near the $1.2 billion-plus experts say is going to be needed to truly take care of Michigan’s roads on an annual basis. Westland Mayor Bill Wild thinks that the various mayors of the Detroit region should have a seat at the table. According to the current the road funding formul...

DetroitDetroit regional chamberMackinac policy conference

Mackinac 2015 Kicking Off: Roads, Race, Talent, Transit, and D-Insurance, Oh My

Good morning from the Blogger Zone at the Grand Hotel. When it comes to the Mackinac Policy Conference, we’re going to focus on a few key areas. Although there are three official pillars of the conference – Talent, Urban Revitalization and Cohesion – we’re looking for stories that are a little more focused. Here are the five things we’re looking to cover – but over the next few days, almost anything can happen. Roads It’s the predominant conversation up here that’s not on the agenda. Ju...