Featured Stories

Michigan Jobs 2.0

Kimberly Chou Thursday, August 30, 2007

As Michigan evolves its economy, innovative high-tech companies are successfully planting their flags in uncharted territory. For job seekers, however, it means applying for a position that didn't exist five years ago. Kimberly Chou takes a look at three local companies and the cutting edge jobs they're creating.

Computer Game Technology, Film / Video, Internet, PR/Marketing, Software Design, Talent

Ann Arbor, Detroit

Summer On Ice

Tanya C. Muzumdar Thursday, August 16, 2007

Forget air conditioned movie theaters and malls. Why not beat the heat and burn a few calories while you're at it? Southeast Michigan is home to three world-class ice skating facilities, training both national champions and Olympic competitors.

Quality Of Life

Ann Arbor, Birmingham, Dearborn, Detroit

Parking 2.0

Jon Zemke Thursday, August 09, 2007

Rack 'em, stack 'em and move 'em underground. As southeast Michigan communities build better, more compact downtowns new ideas about parking are being put into place.

Ann Arbor, Detroit, Ferndale

Accent Reduction Institute

Amy Whitesall Thursday, August 09, 2007

Judy Ravin has helped people speak clearly for 15 years, but her accent reduction business is booming as the world gets smaller and the workforce gets more diverse.

Diversity

Rochester, Ann Arbor, Detroit

Greenways = Greenbacks

Jon Zemke Thursday, August 02, 2007

Green spaces are not only good for quality of life, environment and recreation, they can also boost the local economy. Think of them as a way to increase your bottom line while reducing your bottom size.

Environment, Identity, Quality Of Life, Regionalism

Rochester, Ann Arbor, Detroit

Google High

Alex Dziadosz Thursday, August 02, 2007

Along with the promise of 1,000 new jobs, Google's Adwords office is embracing Ann Arbor in unexpected ways: assisting local non-profits and even teaching high school.

Advertising, Education, Internet, PR/Marketing

Ann Arbor

Good Things Come In Small Packages

Alex Dziadosz Thursday, July 26, 2007

Since the decline of the Big Three, it's become clear Michigan businesses need a new model. As technology firms pop up, and global communications allow small companies to compete internationally like never before, more start-ups are realizing that it pays to be David when you're battling Goliaths.

Biotechnology, Entrepreneurship, Higher Education, Logistics

Ann Arbor, Detroit

Busking Up Downtown

Jon Zemke Thursday, July 19, 2007

Southeast Michigan is alive with the sound of music... and the silence of mimes. If you want a barometer of how happening your neighborhood is, check out who's playing on the corner. More than just local color, buskers are a leading indicator of downtown vibrancy. After all, when's the last time you saw a drum circle at the local stripmall?

Arts and Culture, Downtown Living, Identity, Music, Quality Of Life

Ann Arbor, Detroit, Ferndale

From Scratch: whiteMAKO

Alex Dziadosz Thursday, June 21, 2007

Ready or not here he comes! There are plenty of 20 year-olds who think they can change the world but how many of them have started a lucrative web design and multimedia firm at age thirteen? Meet Chris Mwakasisi, CEO of whiteMAKO.

Internet, Software Design, Talent

Ann Arbor

Guest Blogger: Ron Suarez

Dr. Ron Suarez Thursday, June 14, 2007

Dr. Ron Suarez is our guest blogger this week. Ron is a serial entrepreneur and Arbor City Councilmember and founder of Promovuz, a company offering digital music promotion, statistics and sales.

Check back here each week day to read Ron's thoughts on media, technology and how to do your own podcast.

Entertainment Technology, Entrepreneurship, Internet, Music, PR/Marketing, Software Design

Ann Arbor, Detroit

The Michigan Growth Capital Symposium: More Than Money

Scott Paul Dunham Thursday, June 14, 2007

Like American Idol, each year local startups strut their stuff at the Michigan Growth Capital Symposium, presenting in 'lightning round' pitch sessions for the attention of venture capital managers and angel investors. But support can mean more than just a quick infusion of cash, it can also spell success for Michigan's economy.

Advanced Engineering, Alternative Energy, Biotechnology, Consumer Technology, Engineering, Entrepreneurship, Healthcare, Higher Education, Homeland Security, Internet, Investment, Life Sciences, Robotics, Software Design, Wireless Technology

Rochester, Royal Oak, Wyandotte, Ypsilanti, Mt. Clemens, Ann Arbor, Berkley, Birmingham, Dearborn, Detroit, Farmington, Ferndale, Grosse Pointe, Hamtramck, Northville, Plymouth, Pontiac

Michigan Music Fests: Mozart To Mosh Pits

Melinda Clynes Thursday, June 07, 2007

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "Music takes us out of the actual and whispers to us dim secrets that startle our wonder as to who we are." Clearly the man loved his polka. metromode offers up a Summer Music Festival guide worth singing about.

Arts and Culture, Identity, Music, Quality Of Life

Rochester, Royal Oak, Wyandotte, Ypsilanti, Mt. Clemens, Ann Arbor, Berkley, Birmingham, Dearborn, Detroit, Farmington, Ferndale, Grosse Pointe, Hamtramck, Northville, Plymouth, Pontiac

Guest Blogger: Maud Lyon

Maud Lyon Thursday, June 07, 2007

Our guest blogger for this week is Maud Lyon. Maud is the founding director of the Cultural Alliance, and a consultant for numerous nonprofit organizations.Check back here each week day to read Maud's thoughts on the state of arts and culture in Michigan.

Arts and Culture, Film / Video, Identity, Music, Performing Arts, Quality Of Life, Regionalism, Talent

Rochester, Royal Oak, Wyandotte, Ypsilanti, Mt. Clemens, Ann Arbor, Berkley, Birmingham, Dearborn, Detroit, Farmington, Ferndale, Grosse Pointe, Hamtramck, Northville, Plymouth, Pontiac

Discipline Five: Get on Base

Michael Brennan Thursday, June 07, 2007

United Way president Michael Brennan examines the importance of continued success over time in the fifth installment of his series on a Community of Progress.

Identity, Quality Of Life, Regionalism, Sustainability

Rochester, Royal Oak, Wyandotte, Ypsilanti, Mt. Clemens, Ann Arbor, Berkley, Birmingham, Dearborn, Detroit, Farmington, Ferndale, Grosse Pointe, Hamtramck, Northville, Plymouth, Pontiac

Green Urbanism

Amy E. Whitesall Thursday, June 07, 2007

Green and urban. More than a contradiction in terms, they're now a movement. Local architects and developers are starting to adopt 'bioregional' philosophy that asks: What does it take to build a sustainable city?

Architecture, Downtown Living, Green Building, Quality Of Life, Redevelopment, Sustainability

Ann Arbor, Birmingham, Detroit, Ferndale, Grosse Pointe

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