John Fetterman's Rust Belt Revival
By: Megan Pennefather, 4/30/2009
John Fetterman is a large, tattooed, Harvard-educated mayor of a tiny town, and his tough brand of civic responsibility may have important lessons for Metro Detroit.
VC In MI: A Conversation With Credit Suisse's Kelly Williams
By: Jon Zemke, 4/29/2009
If Michigan is to transform into a knowledge-based economy it means greater investment in local start-ups. Kelly Williams is a managing director with Credit Suisse, the investment firm that heads up the Venture Michigan Fund.
Metromode sat down with her to discuss the state of our venture capital community and where it's headed.
Smart Cars in Metro Detroit: Still Smart?
By: Tanya Muzumdar, 4/23/2009
Eighteen months ago
Metromode checked out the newly arrived Smart Car as one of several new cool commuter options. So how has this sporty new 'wee'-hicle done in the land of hulking Hummers and SUVs? And more importantly, what do Metro Detroiters think of their micro-mini (but ever-so green) purchase?
METROMODE RADIO: Where Will People Live?
By: Chris McCarus, 4/23/2009
A lot has been written about the collapse of the housing market. So now how can the market pick back up and, more importantly, where? Turns out experts have a prettygood idea where it will NOT be.
Michigan Now’s Chris McCarus gets the low down.
She's Michigan's New Beer Meister
By: Melinda Clynes, 4/16/2009
A cicerone is to beer what a sommelier is to wine. There are only 17 in the U.S., and Annette Bardallis of Allen Park is one of them. In fact, she's the only female cicerone in the nation. How does her husband Michael feel about that? Proud. He's one too.
Downtown and Underground: Parking is an Art in Ann Arbor
By: Jon Zemke, 4/16/2009
Parking in Southeast Michigan usually means surface lots, driveways and the occasional garage. Ann Arbor's leaders are turning local conventional wisdom on its head, choosing to store cars underground and out of sight as a way to grow development, commerce and urban vibrancy.
Scoring Michigan's New Film Industry
By: Dennis Archambault, 4/9/2009
With Michigan's new film incentives, everyone's talking about Hollywood actors and production crews. But what about the guys and gals behind the scenes, the ones who create all those memorable movie soundtracks? Three local composers weigh in on where they see the state's burgeoning film industry is headed.
Metromode Radio: Sustainable Energy In Michigan
By: Chris McCarus, 4/9/2009
The Michigan Sustainable Energy Coalition brought international experts to the state's capital this week to discuss the changing energy landscape. Only a couple of lawmakers attended and
Michigan Now's Chris McCarus was the only reporter there. The event showed how hard it is to shift the focus from the old economy to the new one.
A Better Set Of Building Blocks
By: Terry Parris Jr., 4/9/2009
Infrastructure. It's not exactly a sexy word, but with the Obama administration's focus on rebuilding our nation's roads and bridges, innovation is in demand. Enter Lawrence Technological University, where new infrastructure inventions are an everyday way of life.
Young Guns In Metro Politics
By: Daniel Johnson, 4/2/2009
They're under 35 and they got elected. Meet a trio of young Metro Detroit politicians, all determined to bring new ideas and new perspectives to their communities. Can they facilitate the changes SE Michigan so desperately needs?
Under 30 And Involved
By: Terry Parris Jr., 4/2/2009
Barack Obama's presidency was due, in no small part, to an energized youth movement. And those same post-college professionals are taking their passion and ideas into local governments, earning seats on local boards and commissions.