Discovering and applying new and innovative economic development tools, models, policies, and programs
Creating Jobs and Wealth in Distressed Michigan Communities
The REI University Center has identified the following topics for possible Co-Learning Plans in 2018. To submit an application or to learn more, please visit http://www.reicenter.org/surveys/2018-call-for-authors/
The deadline for all applications is Friday, December 29, 2017. Please direct questions to Ms. Jennifer Bruen at bruenjen@msu.edu or 517-353-9555
There should be a "Wall Street"-like monitor that folks can check to see where the investments are being made in their community and by whom. The investments should be rated as to whether or not they are quality investments that consider the health of the people and the environment, etc. The cities could then be rated as to who is making more quality investments. What could such a system look like and what would be necessary to create it? Apply Now!
What sectors of Michigan's economy are likely to be impacted by artificial intelligence (AI) in the near term? What will be the impact of AI on jobs? Will some employment sectors grow/shrink/be eliminated? Who will gain, who will lose? What principles and practices should guide professional economic developers in supporting AI with public resources? Apply Now!
An aging population and declining school age population is likely to create a labor shortage in the State which will impact future economic growth. To ensure that the region has the workforce it needs to support economic growth, we need to grow our workforce by helping individuals overcome barriers to employment. This includes people that have been disconnected from the workforce due to transportation, education or skill challenges, those with disabilities, returning citizens, veterans, and others. Identifying the particular needs of each group and connecting them to state, federal and local resources is the first step towards bringing nontraditional workers into the workforce. Apply Now!
Most of our economic policy and practices over the past thirty years have been top down, or "trickle down" in nature, based upon this belief: If we free up a small group of job creators at the top – wealthy investors and large corporations – they will create wealth which will trickle down to the rest of us. After decades of believing this theory it has been proven to be deficient. This Co-Learning Plan would examine what "bottom-up" economy policies and programs would look like at the state and federal levels. Apply Now!
Explore the pervasiveness of an "underground economy "and how it plays within the current entrepreneurial engagement efforts in Michigan. How has it contributed to the larger economy? What are good and current examples of the Underground Economy in Michigan? How does it work? Does it matter? What is virtual currency? How does it work? How does this impact our current economy? Who benefits and who loses from this growing network? Apply Now!
Actually implementing a Capital Improvement (CIP)/Master Plan and providing realistic funding for them is a difficult challenge for communities these days. CIPs which identifies capital projects and equipment purchases, provides a planning schedule and identifies options for financing the plan. Unfortunately, many communities are neglecting and underfunding their CIPs which is contributing to infrastructure degradation. What is the extent of this issue in Michigan? What are the impediments to implementing a CIP? And, what strategies can be employed to overcome these? Apply Now!
Michigan's higher education system, like most states, provides in-state tuition for residents. This discount is provided regardless of the demand for that education or training in the local labor market. This Co-Learning Plan would explore replacing in-state tuition with in-demand tuition where students, regardless of residency, receive a discounted tuition rate for pursuing an educational field that is in demand in the labor market. Apply Now!
A smart city is an urban development vision to integrate information and communication technology (ICT) and Internet of things (IoT) technology in a secure fashion to manage a city's assets (schools, libraries, transportation systems, hospitals, power plants, water supply networks, waste management, law enforcement, and other community services). Smart Cities use urban informatics and technology to improve the efficiency of services. ICT allows city officials to interact directly with the community and the city infrastructure and to monitor what is happening in the city, how the city is evolving, and how to enable a better quality of life. Through the use of sensors integrated with real-time monitoring systems, data are collected from citizens and devices – then processed and analyzed. The information and knowledge gathered are keys to tackling inefficiency. What would it take to create "smart cities" in Michigan? Why does Michigan need to consider it? Where are there other smart cities in the world? What steps did they take to become a "Smart City"? This Co-Learning Plan would provide research on infrastructure framework and recommendations for Michigan leaders. Apply Now!
What is it, and in what sectors is it growing (housing, transportation, food and others?) What are the potential economic development impacts in terms of jobs and income growth and what should professional economic developers know about it and if appropriate do to support it in their regions/communities? Apply Now!
The discussion in Michigan that there are too many local units of government has been ongoing. During the past two gubernatorial administrations (Granholm and Snyder), efforts have been made to provide funding incentives through the state revenue sharing program to encourage local units to consolidate services. Other cities across the country such as Indianapolis and Louisville have consolidated local units and formed regional governmental structures in the name of furthering economic growth. Has it worked? What can Michigan cities learn from the experiences of Indianapolis and Louisville and the impact of the concept of home rule and furthering economic development? Apply Now!
We welcome innovative ideas under this category. What tools, models, policies or programs would support this idea? Consider your level of professional or academic experience in the topic area you are suggesting, as it pertains to economic development.