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Richard G. Thibodeau - Friday, September 25, 2009   Pure Michigan ABC Rate this idea:   Current Rating: 3.0 (280 votes cast) "Pure Michigan" ABC Products Company(s) i.e. PURE MICHIGAN.... A (APPLES) B (BLUEBERRIES) c (CHERRIES) P R O D U C T S COMPANY(S) AS A WIN-WIN WAY TO INCREASE LOCAL AND NATIONAL CONSUMPTION OF MICHIGAN'S PREMIERE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS...APPLES-BLUEBERRIES-CHERRIES (WHICH WILL ALSO HELP TO NOT ONLY ABSORB AND SURPLUS CROPS, BUT ALSO SPUR EVEN INCREASED PRODUCTION, LET'S UNDERTAKE A MORE CREATIVE/AGGRESSIVE APPROACH TO THE MARKETING/PROCESSING OF THESE CROPS. And just as John Hantz is working to bring agricultural product growing in Detroit, let's also tie such a PURE MICHIGAN ABC PRODUCTS Company(s) to the processing/production of apple/blueberry and cherry products to the Detroit scene and thus create more jobs in Detroit where the need for jobs is critical. And in this venture, we can gear up the local, national and worldwide campaign encourage more consumption of these healthy foods and also dessert foods, which can certainly help improve Michigan's economy in many ways. I have had conversations with representatives of the Michigan Blueberry Growers Marketing Assoc. and they are encouraging me to pursue the ABC concept. One venture of the ABC Products Company(s) could also be creative dialogue with such major players as Mc Donald's to encourage them use even more of Michigan's apples and cherries and ADD BLUEBERRY PIES TO THEIR RESTAURANT MENU. This venture could challenge all of Michigan's "creatives" to help conceive a natiional/international marketing campaign to bring even more of these "Pure Michigan" products to market. Nation-wide and world-wide, there is still a much larger potential market also for sugar-free versions of these processed fruit products and also dried/snack food versions. From my experience with pie products that are "out there", many don't have a lot of berries; The "Pure Michigan" ABC Pie Company can gain the reputation of being the BEST IN THE WORLD!

Denise - Friday, September 25, 2009   Keep our graduates in the state Rate this idea:   Current Rating: 3.0 (303 votes cast) Companies could receive tax credits when hiring a Michigan college graduate. The company would provide a hiring bonus or paying off student loans for a contract with the new employee. The Detroit area companies could also encourage employees living in the city limits with housing incentives and ownership. Emulate Chicago. Make Detroit a safer place to live and work.

Paul Horton - Thursday, September 24, 2009   Make Detroit the Art-Space Capital Rate this idea:   Current Rating: 3.0 (308 votes cast) In 2004 Creativity Consultant, Richard Florida came to Detroit for a Regional Transformation Process that was to kick off the Create Detroit "Movement" (that never really took off). At one point during the RTP the question was asked: "What would be the best way to attract & retain talent." I put forth the concept that Detroit should become the Art-Space Capital, which was voted as the top idea by the participants. Artspace is a nonprofit real estate developer based in Minneapolis. Its mission is “to create and manage space where artists can live, work, exhibit, perform, and conduct business. Artspace supports the continued professional growth of artists and enhances the cultural and economic vitality of the surrounding community.” The governor, and others have spoken of the need to “brand” Detroit. Only the city has many different facets that several “brands” can be applied. While the D brand brings together a number of elements of Detroit, some other designations could become a part of its image such as the way Austin, Texas bills itself as "The Live Music Capital." If the city wants to get serious about enhancing its image, increasing tourism as well as attracting and retaining residents, then it should consider aiming to become the “Artspace Capital.” Restoring the “dinosaur” buildings and welcoming artists and art groups is just what is needed to save historic structures that give the downtown added character and will boost tourism and residential appeal. And just think if the Artspace concept were to be expanded to include buildings for teams of high-tech start-ups. What a tremendous selling point it would be to offer below market rate for space to high-tech entrepreneurs and team members where they could work long hours with the comforts of home at hand and not having to commute. Throw in some venture capitol and Detroit would truly become a talent magnet.

Paul Horton - Thursday, September 24, 2009   Make Detroit the Art-Space Capital Rate this idea:   Current Rating: 3.0 (293 votes cast) In 2004 Creativity Consultant, Richard Florida came to Detroit for a Regional Transformation Process that was to kick off the Create Detroit "Movement" (that never really took off). At one point during the RTP the question was asked: "What would be the best way to attract & retain talent." I put forth the concept that Detroit should become the Art-Space Capital, which was voted as the top idea by the participants. Artspace is a nonprofit real estate developer based in Minneapolis. Its mission is “to create and manage space where artists can live, work, exhibit, perform, and conduct business. Artspace supports the continued professional growth of artists and enhances the cultural and economic vitality of the surrounding community.” The governor, and others have spoken of the need to “brand” Detroit. Only the city has many different facets that several “brands” can be applied. While the D brand brings together a number of elements of Detroit, some other designations could become apart of the city's image such as the way Austin, Texas bills itself as "The Live Music Capital." If the city wants to get serious about enhancing its image, increasing tourism as well as attracting and retaining residents, then it should consider aiming to become the “Art-Space Capital.” Restoring the “dinosaur” buildings and welcoming artists and art groups is just what is needed to save historic structures that give downtown added character and will enhance the image of the D and boost its tourism and residential appeal. And just think if the Artspace concept were to be expanded to include buildings for teams of high-tech start-ups. What a tremendous selling point it would be to offer below market rate for space to high-tech entrepreneurs and team members where they could work long hours with the comforts of home at hand and not having to commute. Throw in some venture capitol and Detroit would truly become a talent magnet.

Penny Petronis - Wednesday, September 23, 2009   Change Public Assistance & Unemployment Rules Rate this idea:   Current Rating: 3.0 (318 votes cast) Instead of giving people on public assistance money each month, offer them a 6 month Lump Sum Payment to leave Michigan. Cut them a check. They will not be allowed on Public assistance in Michigan again for 5 years. They are not allowed to apply in other states for two years. Some will stay and some will leave. This gives PEOPLE a choice that could enhance their lives elsewhere. Currently people qualify for 26 weeks of unemployment. Offer them 26 weeks in a lump sum to leave Michigan. This would stop the extensions. Some would stay and collect every two weeks. Some would find opportunity elsewhere. Those that stay would only get 26 weeks and no extensions. Get tough. Again, this gives PEOPLE a choice instead of following the current rules that hamper some from finding a new opportunity elsewhere. There are too many people on assistance and too many unemployed for what jobs there are available or those that will be created. Those that remain will have a better chance of getting a new job in Michigan if more people leave. This isn't about not caring for people. Its about the State of Michigan giving these people a new option. Outside of the box thinking. Who looses? I'd rather have productive, tax paying citizens living in the state instead of the huge public assistance roles and unemployed. It's choice made by individuals, not some made up Rule by the states. Why deny these people a chance to change their lives? Look at it this way, Michigan is holding these people here and making them do whatever just to get a pittance because that's the rule. Change it. Applies to the homeless, a lump sum and a bus ticket to a new life elsewhere.