“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life,” – Confucius

I Want Your Job, a new series on the Michigan Advantage blog, profiles talented Michiganders who have a unique or cool job and want to show why they love working and living here.  

For the first blog in the series, lifelong Detroiter Jeanette Pierce shares how she turned her passion for the city into a career that is contributing to its comeback. Tell us a little about yourself and D:hive.

I am the Director of Community Relations at D:hive and a life-long Detroiter who grew up in the Morningside community on the east side of Detroit. I have a bachelor’s of arts degree in communication from Aquinas College, and have been living in downtown Detroit for 10 years.

In 2006 I co-founded Inside Detroit, a nonprofit that used tours to educate the public about Detroit’s history, culture and community. Inside Detroit took over 20,000 people on tours and welcomed over 50,000 to the Downtown Welcome Center which they opened in 2008. Inside Detroit has now merged with D:hive in order to expand their offerings by providing information and other resources related to real estate, jobs, important city data, retail, small business and more, essentially becoming an air traffic control hub for people wishing to live, work and engage in the city.

How did you get started at D:hive?  

I started Inside Detroit, the predecessor to D:hive, in 2006 because I wanted to share Detroit’s stories…the people, places and projects that made me love living in Detroit. When the opportunity arose to help create an organization like D:hive that would help Detroit and offer programs that I had only dreamed of, I was over the moon! I’m getting to do everything I love and have an impact on the city I love…it doesn’t get much better than that. What sparked your love for Detroit?

I grew up in Detroit and always loved it, but it wasn’t until I moved downtown in 2003 that I realized how much more there was to know about the city. Then every time I learned something new, I loved it even more. It was amazing conversations with locals at the corner pub, the one-of-a-kind architecture, sitting by the fountain in Campus Martius reading a book, the walkability of downtown (I haven’t driven to work in 10 years and got rid of my car completely 2 years ago.) It was just like when I did a semester abroad in Spain, except it was my home.

What is a typical work day like for you?

Every day is different, which is one of the things I love about my job. Let’s take last Wednesday. It started at 8:30 a.m. with the Board Meeting for the Downtown Detroit Partnership at the Detroit Athletic Club. Then I gave a tour to Wayne State University where we stopped for a photo op at Rivard Plaza on the riverfront, stopped for coffee at the Rowland Cafe in the Guardian Building, explored the Heidelberg Project and stopped at Willis and Canfield for shopping at Hugh, Flo Boutique, Avalon Bakery and more. After that I had a meeting with Digerati, an up and coming business downtown, about tours for their staff. Then I had a walking tour for new staff from United Way for Southeastern Michigan where we talked about all the restaurants, bars and shops and new development around their office. Finally, I attended the Crain’s Detroit Business Twenty in their 20’s Awards event. It was a day full of tours, meetings, events, community and good times!

Has there been an event or moment that stands out as a highlight of your career to date?

One big thing was having the Governor sign the Regional Transit Authority Bill at D:hive’s Welcome Center, but one smaller thing that always makes me smile is when a U of M student said to me after taking one of my tours, “I never even considered staying in Michigan after I graduated, but now I want to live in Detroit!”

What makes Detroit a great place to live, work and play?

I can walk to over 125 bars and restaurants. That’s everything from Cuban food to German food, jazz to techno, martini bars to sports bars and everything in between. I can walk to 13,000 theater seats. It’s actually the second largest theater district in the country. Big Broadway shows, operas, even small avant garde performances…all within a 2 block radius around Grand Circus Park. I can walk to Tigers games, Lions games and Red Wings games in 5 minutes. I can walk to Campus Martius Park, which is the  4^th best public square in North America, the Riverwalk and all sorts of festivals. BUT that’s not why I love it. I love it because even though I have all of those big city amenities right outside my door, I also know my neighbors, and the owners the bars and shops and there is a sense of community. I also get to do what I love and have an impact. To sum it up, Detroit is big enough to matter in the world and small enough where you can matter in it.

What advice do you have for those looking to turn their passion into a career?

First, you have to know what your passionate about…it seems easy but many can’t answer the question. Ask yourself what you would love to get paid to do…even if it seems silly. Once you know you can at least move in that direction. That job might not exist…right now…but maybe you could create it. I’d also recommend volunteering on a nonprofit board or committee related to your passion to get experience and connections in that area while also helping the community.

D:Hive is a great resource for those not only looking to live or find work in the city, but also for entrepreneurs. What resources are available for those interested in starting a business in the city?

D:hive has a small business and project planning class called BUILD. It really helps take your idea and turn it into action. We also just launched a program called PILOT, where we are accepting applications to give entrepreneurs free space for 2 months to test their idea as well as marketing and event support and an interior design stipend. More information about both projects is available at www.dhivedetroit.org

What is your favorite part of your job?

My favorite part of my job is getting to see people’s eyes light up and perceptions change when they come on a tour or stop into the welcome center. I help people get the most out of living, working and engaging in Detroit and get to see the results right away.

If you could trade jobs for a day with anyone in Michigan, who would it be?

I honestly can’t think of anyone. I get to do what I love every day…how can you beat that? If I had to pick I would probably say Mike Ilitch…I’d love to see what I could do with the assets he has…and hanging out with the Tiger’s and Red Wings wouldn’t be half bad either.

Jeanette Pierce is Director of Community Relations at D:hive. She is a Detroit native who grew up in the Morningside community and now resides in Downtown Detroit. She has been honored by Crain’s Detroit Business as one of the Top Twenty in their 20’s in 2007, awarded the Dave Bing Future Leader Award from the Detroit Free Press in 2010 and the Detroit Young Professionals Vanguard Award in 2011.

Are you an entrepreneur or business leader in Michigan and want to share your success story or tell how Michigan has helped your business grow? Share your story on the Michigan Advantage blog! Learn more about being a guest blogger.

Looking for a job in Michigan? Pure Michigan Talent Connect – a collaborative effort of the State of Michigan’s Workforce Development Agency (WDA) and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) – is your launch pad for new jobs, careers and talent. The site is an online marketplace connecting Michigan’s job seekers and employers.

Below is a roundup of several hot jobs featured on Mitalent.org.

Assistant Buyer – Detroit Institute Of Arts
Detroit, Michigan
Under the direction of the Director, Retail Operations, the Assistant Buyer is responsible for the general management of merchandise planning and implementation, including the development of proprietary products within assigned merchandise classifications.

Maintenance Technician – Metro Commons
Romulus, Michigan
Metro Commons, a manufactured home community in Romulus, Michigan, seeks an experienced Maintenance Technician to perform general building and grounds maintenance duties 40 hours a week on a seasonal basis. Responsibilities include performing service repairs such plumbing repairs, electrical, landscaping, and mowing duties. The candidate will also repair homes owned by the community and prepare them for sale.

Team Coordinator/Production Supervisor – Adecco
Ann Arbor, Michigan
The Team Coordinator (T.C.) position provides general supervision, leadership, and guidance to Manufacturing Associates, and is responsible for maintaining good employee relations, discipline and safety.   The T.C. is responsible for ensuring that customer requirements concerning quality and production are met.

High School Spanish Teacher – Marquette Area Public Schools
Marquette, Michigan
Marquette Public Schools is looking for a high school Spanish teacher to plan a program of study to instruct students in citizenship and subject matter that, as much as possible, meets the individual needs, interests and abilities of students in accordance with District and State standards and benchmarks. The teacher must also guide students through the learning process toward the achievement of curriculum goals, establishing clear objectives for all lesson plans, units, projects, field trips, etc.

Supply Chain Analyst – Knape And Vogt
Grand Rapids, Michigan
This position is responsible for the day-to-day activities of assigned VMI customers.  This includes maintaining agreed upon service levels, inventory turnover, stocking for promotions and handling customer calls. This position requires excellent communication skills as well as a strong knowledge of Microsoft Office, inventory management principles, forecasting and planning.

Executive Chef – Hagerty Center – Northwestern Michigan College
Traverse City, Michigan
The Executive Chef is responsible for all food production, menu development, food purchasing, and recipe specifications.  This person will supervise food production and dishwashing staff and maintain highest professional food quality and sanitation standards.  This individual will develop and monitor the budget for food and labor related to the kitchen department.

MES Project Lead – The Dow Chemical Company
Midland, Michigan
Engineering Solutions has exciting opportunities for Production Operations Management (POM)/Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) Project Leads.  The POM/MES Project Lead works as part of a globally-distributed team of ES Process Automation professionals and has responsibility for the implementation of hardware and software solutions to address client project needs in the area of the ISA-95 Level 3 requirements of an integrated automation solution.

Design and Digital Media Intern – The Stow Company
Holland, Michigan
This position is responsible for the maintenance and creative development of media in print, web, and photography. It also provides support in the development of video production, film editing, database management and web applications, and works with multiple brands across different distribution channels to maintain consistent messaging, visuals, and asset usage.

For more listings of positions around the state visit www.Mitalent.org/. 

With more than 100 breweries and Grand Rapids being named “Beer City USA” in both 2012 and 2013, it’s no secret that the craft beer industry is thriving in Michigan. Not only is it thriving because of new breweries, but also because existing breweries like Bells Brewery, Founders Brewing Company and Shorts Brewing Company have been expanding to keep up with demand for beers that are becoming nationally known. The industry is also impacting tourism and agriculture in the state as many breweries use local ingredients.

Pure Michigan is helping our state live up to our new nickname, “the Great Beer State.” A regional warm weather advertising campaign includes the launch of a new radio ad now airing that showcases Michigan’s craft beer offerings. In addition, Pure Michigan and Founders Brewing Co. have partnered to offer a Pure Michigan beer at the Founders taproom in downtown Grand Rapids during Michigan Craft Beer Month this July.

With all the buzz around craft beer, Dianna Stampfler from the Michigan Brewer’s Guild shares with us the economic impact of Michigan’s craft beer industry and what makes Michigan’s brewing industry unique.

What is the Michigan Brewer’s Guild and how do they support Michigan’s beer industry?

The Michigan Brewers Guild was formed in 1997 to be the trade association for the state’s thriving craft beer industry. Currently the organization represents about 110 member breweries – with a growing number of members in the “brewery in planning” stage.

The mission of the Michigan Brewers Guild is to unify the community of brewers, to increase the sale of Michigan Craft Beer, to contribute culturally and economically throughout the state and to monitor and assure a healthy brewing industry. By working collaboratively with proponents of craft beer, we strive to achieve a 10% share of all beer sold in Michigan by producing world-class events, increasing public awareness, educating consumers, and encouraging responsible consumption.

The Guild hosts 4 festivals annually – the Summer Beer Festival, July 26-27 in Ypsilanti, the UP Fall Beer Festival, September 7 in Marquette; the Detroit Fall Beer Festival, October 25-26 in Detroit and the Winter Beer Festival, February 22, 2014 in Grand Rapids – all of which sell out. This year’s Winter Beer Festival sold out in a record 14 hours…and when tickets went on sale May 1 for the Summer Beer Festival, we sold more than 1000 online in the first five minutes! That’s a loyal and dedicated fan base!

Michigan is known by many as the, “Great Beer State” can you tell us more about the brewing industry in Michigan?

Michigan actually has an extensive history in brewing – dating back to the 1800s when many communities operated local brewpubs and industry towns – those built up around mining, fishing and logging – supported local brewing operations. Detroit, Grand Rapids and various parts of the Upper Peninsula have some of the more noted histories. Of course, with Prohibition, the brewing industry went into hibernation. About 15 years ago, when the Guild was formed, we saw a spike in the number of craft breweries and it’s been growing steadily ever since. In just the past five years, we’ve seen the number of Michigan breweries nearly double and now we are ranked #5 in the country in the number of craft breweries. Many people ask us – can Michigan support more breweries and we say absolutely. The more quality breweries that open the more we solidify our position as the “Great Beer State.”

What is the economic impact of Michigan’s beer industry?

These numbers are changing on nearly a weekly basis, with expansions and new brewery openings – not to mention the addition of things like group tours, beer dinners, festivals/events and such. Then, add in “accessories” such as logoed t-shirts, hats, mugs and all those types of things and it’s so much bigger than we can ever really know. Speaking extremely conservatively, Michigan’s craft beer industry pays out more than $24 million in wages, with a total economic impact of more than $133 million overall. We’re in the process of gathering more updated information which will better reflect the significant growth in the industry over the past few years.

Are there any cool entrepreneurial stories associated with the craft brew industry?

There are so many – and picking one would be like picking a favorite child! Each brewery has its own unique story to tell – some more dramatic than others, but equally as valuable. I think a great entrepreneurial aspect is the number of supporting businesses that are coming on board – places like tour operators, hotels putting together packages, restaurants hosting dinners and special events, media reaching out to tell the stories. Not a week goes by that I’m not reading a story online about one brewery or another and what they’re doing in the marketplace.

Why is Michigan a great place for the craft beer business?

I think it goes back to the history that we have in this industry. Michigan has always embraced its craft beverage industries – even during Prohibition. The communities with high concentrations of breweries get the economic impact that they bring to the table. There’s a huge sense of pride in this industry, and a pretty impressive level of camaraderie among breweries. They work together as an industry to host the festivals, they collaborate on beers, they engage in friendly “competitions” and ultimately realize that while they have their own best interests as a priority – the success of the industry overall is just as valuable.

The brewing industry in Michigan has been seeing growth, whether it by established breweries expanding or new breweries opening, what do you think is next?

We’ll continue to see expansion in both existing breweries and in new brewing operations, but an area that we’re working closely with are the agricultural ties to brewing. Michigan is ranked number 2 in the country when it comes to agricultural diversity – and it’s the state’s number 2 industry (valued at more than $91 billion). The craft brewing industry is tapping into its local resources whenever possible when it comes to locally-grown hops, barley and other ingredients. There are more than 200 acres of hopyards in commercial production in Michigan right now, and we’re seeing that continue to grow. We’re also expecting more in the way of facilities to process these ingredients. It’s an exciting development that we’re anxious to watch take root.

Any other news about the industry you would like to share?

Ironically, I had my first craft beer five years ago – when I started working with the Guild. Right from the start, the staff at the breweries began introducing me to the various aspects of beer styles and more importantly (at least to me) how beer pairs with food. But it’s not just me – these brewers are so passionate about their craft, that they’re willing to share their knowledge with anyone who is interested in listening, tasting and learning. I think that’s a great philosophy to have and I’m proud to be able to work with such a dedicated group of brewers here in Michigan: The Great Beer State!

For more information, visit www.MiBeer.com.

Dianna Stampfler is the president of Promote Michigan and the publicist for the Michigan Brewers Guild. A dedicated foodie, she’s committed to being a connoisseur of all things Michigan. Dianna is also a regular contributor to a variety of magazines, broadcasts and blogs, focused on her Pure Michigan experiences.

Are you an entrepreneur or business leader in Michigan and want to share your success story or tell how Michigan has helped your business grow? Share your story on the Michigan Advantage blog! Learn more about being a guest blogger.

Site Selection magazine has named Michigan the 8th most competitive state for achieving success in job creation and economic development. The state’s many business climate changes have resulted in other noteworthy improvements as seen in this infographic.

1. Michigan ranks #1 for states that recovered most from the Great Recession (24/7 Wall Street, 2013) Tweet this!
2. Michigan ranks 8th most competitive state for spurring business growth (Site Selection, 2013) Tweet this!
3. Michigan ranks #4 in the nation for new corporate expansions or building projects in 2012 (Site Selection, 2013)  Tweet this!
4. Michigan’s corporate tax ranking is the 3rd most business-friendly among the nation’s 12 largest states (Tax Foundation, 2013) Tweet this!
5. Michigan’s credit rating has been upgraded to AA, the first time Michigan has rated above AA- since January 2007 (Fitch Ratings) Tweet this!
6. Michigan’s unemployment rate is the lowest it’s been in four years Tweet this!
7. Michigan ranks 3rd in the nation for high-tech job growth (Engine Advocacy, 2012) Tweet this!
8. Michigan’s economy was the 6th fastest growing in the nation in 2011 (U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2012) Tweet this!
9. Michigan is saving for the future with $505 million in its rainy day fund (Michigan.gov, 2013) Tweet this!
10. Michigan’s budget is balanced on time, two years in a row (Michigan.gov, 2013) Tweet this!

For more reasons why Michigan is a great place to live, work, play and build a business, visit MichiganAdvantage.org.

Governor Snyder issued a call to action during the April 22 Governor’s Education Summit in East Lansing:  Educators and employers must work together to strengthen Michigan’s economy by better matching up skills with high-demand jobs. 

Similar to the Governor’s Economic Summit in March where business and economic leaders joined to find solutions to talent needs from the employer’s point of view, the education summit connected educators with employers in finding ways to meet those challenges.

The theme of the summit was future workforce development and how to help students develop the skills they will need to fill high-demand jobs. Early childhood education, educator effectiveness and several other topics were discussed.

The daylong event included key note speeches from Governor Snyder, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan, Vice President for the Business Roundtable Dane Linn and 2012 Michigan Teacher of the Year Paul Galbenski.

The event brought the attendees together for interactive regional breakout sessions that served as a catalyst for ongoing regional discussions. The discussions included attendees from early childhood education, K-12 education, community colleges, universities, business and economic development agencies to support the development of talent, encourage partnerships and develop long range vision for regional growth.

For more about the Governor’s Economic Summit Governor including the Governor’s opening remarks and videos of the students attending the summit visit http://www.governorseducationsummit.org/.

Detroit’s resurgence is being fueled by high tech entrepreneurs and companies taking advantage of all opportunities the city has to offer.

A recent NBC Nightly News feature, “Entrepreneurs find success in Detroit,” showcased several innovators and what attracted them to the Motor City.

“This city has a rich history of quality manufacturing and design, and these days it’s not just automakers who are boasting that their product is ‘made in Detroit,’” NBC correspondent John Yang says in his report.

Detroit Labs, which makes smartphone apps for clients like GM, Quicken Loans, and Domino’s Pizza, is expecting to have nearly sixty employees by the end of 2013. Started by four co-founders less than two years ago, the company has already outgrown its workspace and is moving to a new location. After getting his master’s degree at MIT, Michigan-native Paul Glomski moved to Detroit to form the company.

“Despite the bad press it gets, the industry around Detroit drives a real economy still,” Said Glomski. “When you’re a start-up also in Detroit, they take notice of you.”

Shinola, a former shoe polish company, is based in Detroit and dedicated to producing American-made products, including watches, bicycles, leather goods, and journals. The company, which is owned by Bedrock Manufacturing, recently moved into the former General Motors Research Laboratory located within the historic Argonaut building.

“Detroit was at the top of the list because of manufacturing, its history, its heritage in the auto industry,” Said Bedrock CEO Heath Carr.

Stik, a social website that uses Facebook as a platform, and allows consumers to search through different professionals and businesses based on how highly they are recommended on the social media giant’s site, has recently moved into the Madison Building in Detroit. The company launched in 2010 in California and decided to move to Detroit, edging out Austin, Texas as the company’s destination. For a Q&A with the founders of Stik, visit here.

“This good news demonstrates Detroit and Michigan are great places for entrepreneurs and businesses to find success,” said Mike Finney, President and CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corp. “We have tremendous assets here to support businesses like infrastructure, access to capital and talent.”

No other state in the nation provides the breadth and depth of entrepreneurial support to budding high growth companies like Michigan. If you’re looking to start or grow your business in Michigan, make sure to check out MEDC’s entrepreneurial services here.

Jackson National Life Insurance (Jackson^®) recently announced a more than $100 million expansion to its main Lansing, Mich., campus. The expansion will provide capacity for 1,000 additional jobs. Jackson is a leading provider of retirement solutions and educational resources for industry professionals and clients.

This project is contingent on state and local regulatory approvals. However, the company hopes to break ground on the expansion later this year. Initial plans propose a 260,000-square-foot addition adjacent to the existing facility at 1 Corporate Way. Additionally, Jackson will build an 80,000-square-foot data imaging center on the property. The company plans to work closely with local and state partners to preserve the natural environment surrounding its Lansing campus.

President and CEO Mike Wells explains why Michigan was the ideal location for the company’s growth.

Tell us about Jackson’s history in the Michigan area.

Jackson – named after President Andrew Jackson – started as a family-owned insurance company in Jackson, Mich. in 1961, and has evolved into a diversified retirement services provider with more than 4,300 employees across the country. The company moved to Lansing in 1976. Since opening our current main campus in Lansing in 2000, we have more than doubled our Michigan workforce. As we have continued to grow, we have really immersed ourselves in the community. Giving back is part of our core values here and we believe it’s our role as a thriving business in the community to offer support to a wide variety of local charity organizations to make Michigan a better place for everyone.

Tell us more about what Jackson does.

Our company offers a diverse range of financial products including variable, fixed and fixed index annuities to retail customers, and fixed income products to institutional investors while offering award-winning customer service. Jackson prides itself on product innovation, sound corporate risk management practices and strategic technology initiatives. The company, which is also focused on thought leadership and education, develops proprietary research, industry insight and financial representative training on retirement planning and alternative investment strategies.

As I said in the last question, Jackson is also very dedicated to corporate social responsibility efforts throughout all of mid-Michigan – and actually in all our communities where our employees live and work. We focus mostly on supporting charities committed to helping children and seniors as well as those that promote financial literacy. Since 2007, Jackson has donated more than $12 million to our communities across the country – with more than $5 million going to Lansing. Last year alone, our employees donated more than 6,900 volunteer hours to local charitable organizations.

Why is Jackson expanding in Michigan?

Frankly, many of our milestones can be directly linked to the support we receive from the surrounding Lansing community and to the people who have made our company what it is today. Our main Lansing campus was chosen for this expansion in part because of its proximity to several top-tier universities and large metropolitan areas and also because of the rich cultural amenities found in the area.

What are some of your company’s recent accomplishments?

For the last two years, Jackson has set company records for sales and net income – despite unprecedented economic turmoil in much of the financial services industry. In 2012, we achieved record sales and profitability. Additionally, Jackson was recently ranked the No. 1 seller of annuities in the United States. Our customer service team continually sets the bar for the industry and our offices across the country are continually picked as a best place to work by top surveys. We look forward to many more successes in the years ahead. This expansion is a huge accomplishment for Jackson and speaks to our evolution and growth in the industry.

How long have you worked at Jackson?

I’ve been at Jackson for 18 years and have held several roles within the company, including head of distribution operations, chief operating officer and now president and chief executive officer. In this role, I am responsible for the day-to-day operations of Jackson and its U.S. affiliates and for overseeing the development of business strategy.

Jackson will be hiring 1,000 people for its new facility. What draws people to work for Jackson?

Jackson continues to be an industry leader in innovation, technology and customer service.  Our Lansing office was ranked as one of Michigan’s Top Workplaces by the Detroit Free Press in 2012 and was one of only 25 large companies across the state to receive this recognition.

Jackson makes a concerted effort to create a workplace that is congenial, rewarding and productive for our employees. To accomplish this goal, we offer a wide array of amenities including competitive benefits, tuition reimbursement, tuition programs for our employees’ children, an on-site child development facility and award-winning dining centers, just to name a few.  We also encourage our employees to become involved in community relations activities and volunteer events.

Jackson truly values each and every one of our employees, and we are committed to maintaining a positive work environment across the company.

How do you get your employees invested in your company’s future?

Without the dedication and support of our extraordinarily talented employees, Jackson would not be where it is today. With this in mind, we understand the importance of demonstrating our appreciation to  our employees. Our goal is to be as transparent as possible to allow our employees to better understand the company’s goals and to learn what drives the business.

We also strive to provide our employees with career growth and development opportunities through internal trainings and mentorship programs. Jackson puts an emphasis on promoting from within, which cultivates a culture of professional advancement and recognition.

How do your employees have fun together?

Jackson encourages employees to get to know their team members, and offers many fun social events throughout the year. In addition to volunteer opportunities at local nonprofits, we provide family-friendly activities including our annual company picnic, free nights at the children’s science museum, ice cream socials and bowl-a-thons to benefit local nonprofit organizations. We also offer one day a year of paid time off for volunteering, which many of our employees utilize to help community partners like Junior Achievement and Second Harvest Food Bank. Our main Lansing campus is also situated on 175 acres of scenic wooded space that includes walking trails and our Dining Center provides an area for our employees to relax, watch the news or even play foosball and table tennis.

Michael (Mike) Wells is responsible for the day-to-day operations and business strategy development for Jackson, its subsidiaries Jackson National Life Distributors LLC (JNLD), Curian Capital® LLC and Jackson National Asset Management, and its U.S. affiliates National Planning Holdings®, Inc. (NPH^®) and PPM America, Inc. Wells joined Jackson in 1995 as president of JNLD. His background includes more than 27 years of management experience in both the retail and wholesale aspects of the financial services industry. Prior to joining Jackson, he held positions with Wood Logan, Smith Barney, McGinness & Associates and Dean Witter. Wells earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from San Diego State University.

Are you an entrepreneur or business leader in Michigan and want to share your success story or tell how Michigan has helped your business grow? Share your story on the Michigan Advantage blog! Learn more about being a guest blogger.

Nine Michigan communities have won $4,472,531 in Downtown Infrastructure Grant (DIG) program funds for public infrastructure improvements that will help attract new business investment and bring new jobs to Michigan’s downtowns.

“Improving our downtowns will help ensure the continued vitality of communities and strengthen our ability to attract and retain young professionals and small businesses,” said Gov. Rick Snyder.

The communities will provide a total of $3,353,464 in matching funds. All of the projects are located in traditional downtowns, will be completed within one year and will incorporate innovative design elements.

The communities to receive awards:

• City of Croswell
• City of Grand Haven
• City of Hart
• City of Imlay
• City of Iron River
• City of South Haven
• City of Tawas City
• Village of Fowlerville
• Village of Lyons

“The DIG program is an important resource that helps communities promote new business development and job creation,” said MEDC President and CEO Michael A. Finney. “We are pleased to work with city officials to make these projects a reality.”

DIG, a Community Development Block Grant program, provides public infrastructure improvement funding to projects located in a traditional downtown. The program is intended for Michigan non-entitlement communities – specifically low to moderate income communities that do not receive funding directly from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Projects must benefit the entire community to be eligible for the funding.

The MEDC Community Assistance Team members, along with state legislators, will be holding check presentations today in each of the respective communities.

Every town in Michigan has a special story to tell. What makes your town unique? Share with us in the comments below.

Along with a bevy of state and private sector resources, help is available for Michigan entrepreneurs to land federal funding as well. Michigan Economic Development Corporation Managing Director of Entrepreneurship Paula Sorrell, shares 5 reasons Michigan is on top when it comes to helping entrepreneurs with federal grant funding.

Did you know that Michigan provides more help for early stage tech entrepreneurs seeking federal grant assistance than any other state?  It’s true.

The reason is five-fold:

1)      SBTDC – The Michigan Small Business Technology Development Center’s Tech Team has a grant specialist who reviews SBIRs/STTRs prior to submission.  Michigan’s federal grant receipt ranking is#9 up from #19 thanks to Anna’s help.

2)      BBC ETC. – Formerly known as Biotech Business Consultants (though they are more than just biotech focused), they operate low cost training classes throughout the year, provide hands-on writing assistance, and make you aware of new opportunities or changes in legislation that may affect you.  Michigan has 2 -3 times the national success rate for SBIR/STTR funding. 

3)      Emerging Technology Fund – The number one rule for ETF access is to apply before you submit your SBIR.  Because federal research grants limit the ways in which funds can be spent, the ETF matching program provides commercialization assistance dollars.  Up to $25,000 for Phase I and up to $125,000 for Phase II matching is available.  Since 2008 MEDC has disbursed $5,600,000 in matching grants to companies.  Those companies received $44 million in federal grants, $31 million in third party matching funds, $62 million in additional financing, and subsequent revenues of $25 million.

4)      MATch Energy – Administered by Next Energy, ARPA-e awards are matched with commercialization funds.  Training and hands-on assistance is also provided.

5)      DARPA Match – Administered by Macomb OU Inc. 

The national success rate for receiving a federal research grant is below 11% and dropping due to an increase in competition for dollars. Improve your chances by accessing Michigan’s resources and help your company leverage state and private funds in the process.

Are you an entrepreneur or business leader in Michigan and want to share your success story or tell how Michigan has helped your business grow? Share your story on the Michigan Advantage blog! Learn more about being a guest blogger.

Governor Rick Snyder met last month with leaders in business, education and local government from across Michigan in Detroit for the first annual Governor’s Economic Summit.  The summit was devoted to generating solutions to the growing talent needs of the state’s employers and laying a new foundation for greater cooperation in education and economic development within and between the regions of our state.

The summit introduced 21 college students, all passionate about Michigan and hoping to stay in the state after graduation. Many of them had the chance to speak during the opening session and pitched the audience why they would make great hires.

In light of the Governor’s Education Summit on April 22, we asked two of the students, Paige Narins and Skyin Yin, to share with us their experiences at the economic summit, how it has helped their Michigan career prospects, and why Michigan is the place for young talent to flourish.

Today we hear from Albion senior Paige Narins.  

Tell us a little about yourself:

My name is Paige Narins and originally I’m from Northeastern Pennsylvania (Kingston, Pennsylvania – a suburb of the Wilkes Barre-Scranton Metropolitan area). In May, I will be graduating from Albion College with Honors and a B.A. in English.

Can you tell us more about your participation at the Governor’s Economic Summit?

I was made aware of this opportunity to participate in the Governor’s Economic Summit through my work with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s LiveWorkDetroit! initiative and eagerly applied. As someone who is passionate about staying in Michigan for my career and who will have to go back to Pennsylvania if I am unable to find a job soon after graduation, I felt I had a unique perspective to offer to the summit. I was thrilled to discover that I had been one of only 21 people in the entire state chosen to represent young talent at the summit and provide a young professional’s perspective on the current economic and job-hunting state of Michigan.

What was the experience like and what were some highlights of your attendance?

I knew from the beginning that the Governor’s Economic Summit was going to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and yet it was an experience that soundly blew my expectations out of the water. The other young panelists and I convened the Sunday before the summit to engage in a rigorous, career-building workshop. From the beginning, I was surrounded by a group of people who shared my passion for Michigan and for starting a career in this great state. Speaking with so many different business leaders as well as other MEDC employees and even Governor Snyder himself made me realize very clearly that Michigan is in great hands and the state truly has nowhere to go but up.

How did your attendance at the summit help in your career goals? 

I made some wonderful connections with business leaders from across the state and have begun developing great relationships with some of them. Many people at the summit were so eager to help me in my job search and I appreciate the giving of their time and advice more than I feel I will ever be able to properly express. Currently, though, I am pursuing a position within the MEDC. During the past year, I have become quite familiar with the work that the MEDC is doing for the state of Michigan and it has completely floored me. Every single person I’ve met from the MEDC, thus far, has had a singular passion for the revitalization of the state of Michigan. As someone who also believes in this revitalization, I feel very much at home with this organization and would love nothing more than to join their ranks and begin adding my talents and abilities to this movement towards positive change.

Why do you think Michigan is a good place for you to start and grow your career?

When I think of the state of Michigan, two words immediately come to mind: passion and potential. There are so many people in the state of Michigan who are passionate about its revitalization and have a singular focus on bringing that revitalization to life. But that passion wouldn’t get them anywhere if Michigan didn’t already have potential. And I wholeheartedly believe that it does. When passionate people work together towards a similar goal in an environment of ripe opportunity, there is nothing they cannot do. Michigan provides the unique chance for someone like me to actually make a tangible difference, which is something that I’ve always dreamed of. More than a specific career goal, my dream has always been that, no matter where or what I worked, I wanted my talents and abilities to be employed in making a difference. Michigan entreats young professionals like myself to do just that–how can you turn that down?

Explain why Michigan is a great place to live for young professionals.

Cities like Detroit, Lansing and Grand Rapids are thriving with young talent. Not only do they offer many diverse job opportunities, but once young professionals move there, there are plenty of ways to get involved with the community and, of course, have a little fun! There are wonderful restaurants and bars, great opportunities to enjoy the arts, sports and just the culture of those cities in general.

Do you have favorite places or things to do in the state?

I’m a huge theater buff and have quite enjoyed all the opportunities that I’ve had to enjoy theater in the state (Ann Arbor, Dexter, Kalamazoo, Williamston, East Lansing and Detroit).

What’s next after graduation?

I’m very interested in fundraising and development. There are so many deserving organizations and causes in the state of Michigan and I want to use my talents and abilities in the field to make sure that those organizations get the resources they need to continue carrying on their work. As a devout fan of the arts and an avid believer in their necessity to a thriving community, I would love to get involved with a theater or musical venue in one of the more urban areas of the state. At this point in my career, though, I’m more focused on gaining experience so that, as my career progresses, I will be better suited for a leadership position in one of Michigan’s many deserving foundations or organizations.

You have worked with events like LiveWorkDetroit! in the past, can you share what these events are and why you think Detroit is a great place for young adults to start their careers?

The LiveWorkDetroit! initiative focuses on talent retention, particularly in the city of Detroit. Throughout the academic year, LiveWorkDetroit! holds multiple events which college students and recent graduates can attend to learn more about the opportunities in and the culture of Detroit. Detroit is often seen as the defining city of Michigan and, in the past, it was not always the best representative sample of what the state had to offer. But passionate business leaders who believe in Detroit are flocking to the city and opening up thousands of opportunities to young professionals. These events provide attendees with a balanced view of all of the opportunities Detroit offers young professionals to live, work and play in the city.

The balance Detroit has of these three aspects of a young professional’s life is very appealing and proves why the initiative has been so successful. But, more than awesome bars or trendy lofts, Detroit offers the chance for young professionals to make a tangible difference in the city and, therefore, on both the state and the country. Jeanette Pierce of D:hive sums it up best when she says, “Detroit is big enough to matter in the world, but small enough where you can matter in it.” What young professional or entrepreneur wouldn’t want to live in a city that offers that?

Paige Narins is an enthusiastic young professional with a passion for the state of Michigan. A native Pennsylvanian, she will be graduating from Albion College in May with a B.A. in English. While at Albion, she was extremely active on campus, participating in over 10 organizations and serving in an executive capacity for seven. She hopes to begin her career in Michigan by employing her background in writing, law, public policy and fundraising/development to make an impact on the movement towards positive change happening all across Michigan.

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