Grand Rapids tells Newsweek what to do with 'Dying Cities' list

by: DianeS

Fri May 27, 2011 at 03:37:06 AM EDT

Grand Rapids has issued a response to the Newsweek article in the form of a record-setting lip dub to Don McLean's "American Pie" that involved 5,000 people and "marching bands, parades, weddings, motorcades, bridges on fire, and helicopter take offs."

Someone may have to revise their 'Dying Cities' list...

Newsweek was quick to respond on Facebook to the video:

To the Grand Rapids crowd:

First off, we LOVE your YouTube LipDub. We're big fans, and are inspired by your love of the city you call home.

But so you know what was up with the list you're responding to, we want you to know it was done by a website called mainstreet.com--not by Newsweek (it was unfortunately picked up on the Newsweek web site as part of a content sharing deal)--and it uses a methodology that our current editorial team doesn't endorse and wouldn't have employed. It certainly doesn't reflect our view of Grand Rapids.

Bravo, Grand Rapids! Take a bow.

-Diane  

Oakland County, MI, forecast: private sector recovery, public sector recession, plus recall

by: Neon Vincent

Fri May 06, 2011 at 03:17:07 AM EDT

University of Michigan: Oakland economy is in the early stages of sustained recovery

ANN ARBOR, Mich.-After posting modest job losses last calendar year following an abysmal 2009, the Oakland County economy should add nearly 29,000 jobs over the next three years-the best years since 2000, say University of Michigan economists.

In their annual forecast of the Oakland County economy, George Fulton and Don Grimes of the U-M Institute for Research on Labor, Employment, and the Economy say that Oakland will add nearly 11,000 jobs this year, another 8,000 next year and more than 9,700 in 2013.

Last calendar year, Oakland County lost less than 1,200 jobs after losing nearly 60,000 jobs in 2009, and is currently adding jobs-the majority in sectors most tied to the New Economy.

Even so, the good news continues.

"The resurgence in the Oakland County economy appears to be no fluke, not related to any unusual events, but rather is backed by improvements in the U.S. economy, a reborn auto industry and the county's still-strong economic fundamentals and forward-looking policy initiatives," Fulton said. "Although the recovery is slower than what we've seen in the most recent expansions-a trend we also anticipate for the nation as a whole-we do see the county economy as being on an upward and sustained growth trajectory.

Despite the economic difficulties of the past decade, Oakland County still remains among the premier local economies in the country, with its coveted AAA bond rating and high ranking among 33 comparable counties in the United States on a series of measures that indicate future economic prosperity.

"Oakland ranks 8th overall-an impressive standing, especially considering that a number of these counties house some of the most thriving local economies in the nation," Grimes said. "This is even more impressive in light of Oakland's location within the state that has become notorious for its recent position near the bottom of the economic barrel.

"It is clear that whether we assess Oakland County with respect to how it is positioned in key economic fundamentals across all regions of the United States, or more restrictively here among its peers, there are few local economies with a more favorable composite profile for succeeding in the New Economy."

"The net gain in jobs forecast over the next three years (including 2011), however, indicates only that the broad decline in employment has ended. It does not mean that the economy is back to normal. For many residents, the economic struggles will continue."

While the private sector in Oakland County will post job gains over the next three years,

jobs in the government sector, which includes public schools and local government administration, will continue to shrink, with more than 2,000 jobs lost through 2013. Nearly 70 percent of these losses will occur this year.

Also the following clips from WXYZ-TV:

As I've written before on Crazy Eddie's Motie News: "Business as usual?  Not quite."

Above originally posted to Crazy Eddie's Motie News as The Business As Usual people are optimistic about Oakland County.  Crossposted to Daily Kos.

Aquinas College Students for Hillary: "Travellin' for Hillary"

by: XavierLA

Thu Nov 29, 2007 at 22:42:43 PM EST

Aquinas College Students for Hillary proudly present "Travellin' for Hillary" a videolog of our recent trip to Iowa for the Jefferson-Jackson dinner. It's our hope that through this video, other students will be encouraged to travel for Hillary and support her historic bid to become the next president of the United States.

Students from Aquinas College will be joining students from the University of Michigan and Michigan State University to travel to Davenport, IA and help get-out-the-caucus for Sen. Clinton over Winter Break.

My Question on Michigan to John Edwards for after the YouTube Debate

by: philgoblue

Mon Jul 23, 2007 at 11:43:49 AM EDT

You can submit your questions now, and then join the live conversation with John Edwards a few minutes after the debate. Send in your question in writing-or in your own web video. You can even submit your question by texting "DEBATE" to 30644 from your mobile phone. However you reach out, John wants to hear from you-because this campaign is not about one voice, it's about all of us joining together to change this country.

It seems everything will be online at: http://www.johnedwar...

My question to Democratic Presidential candidates

by: Mark Brewer

Fri Jul 13, 2007 at 13:52:02 PM EDT

Sen. Carl Levin, Gov. Jennifer Granholm and Sen. Stabenow along with all of the Democratic Members of the Michigan Congressional Delegation have joined together in calling on the Democratic presidential candidates to take a stand on the American Manufacturing Initiative (AMI). Show your support for Sen. Levin, Gov. Granholm and Sen. Stabenow by joining them in signing the open letter.

Watch my second Youtube video

by: Mark Brewer

Tue May 22, 2007 at 09:41:59 AM EDT

Watch my first podcast

by: Mark Brewer

Thu May 03, 2007 at 10:23:45 AM EDT