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The Economy Sucks in Michigan – WKAR to the Rescue!. The Economy Sucks in Michigan – WKAR to the Rescue!. Things are bleak. Michigan unemployment = 15% + Manufacturing (automobiles) and construction challenged. The Economy Sucks in Michigan – WKAR to the Rescue!. Things are bleak.
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The Economy Sucks in Michigan – WKAR to the Rescue! Things are bleak • Michigan unemployment = 15% + • Manufacturing (automobiles) and construction challenged
The Economy Sucks in Michigan – WKAR to the Rescue! Things are bleak • The “old jobs” aren’t there anymore • …and they aren’t coming back.
The Economy Sucks in Michigan – WKAR to the Rescue! Key problems • Too many people out of work • Too few people starting businesses • Existing businesses in mature/declining sectors • No confidence in economic future • Brain drain: MSU grads are fleeing
The Economy Sucks in Michigan – WKAR to the Rescue! Narrowing focus: which to choose? • Health care • Education • Child care • Foreclosures • Jobs in general
The Economy Sucks in Michigan – WKAR to the Rescue! Steps to get back to prosperity • Create places where talent wants to live • Ensure long-term success of higher education • Move beyond desire to recreate old economy • Develop new public/private sector leadership • Reinvent industrial base around innovation • Promote next-gen talent through learning • Build assets collaboratively
The Economy Sucks in Michigan – WKAR to the Rescue! & Outreach/Engagement Old model: • More promotional in nature • Do what we do, hope it sticks!
The Economy Sucks in Michigan – WKAR to the Rescue! & Outreach/Engagement Time for a change! LET’S ASK THE COMMUNITY!
The Economy Sucks in Michigan – WKAR to the Rescue! CPB Economy Grant – Economic Forum Goal: to learn from participants how public media can be their strategic partner
The Economy Sucks in Michigan – WKAR to the Rescue! CPB Economy Grant – Economic Forum We asked: • What needs did these economic transitions create? • What existing assets can address these needs? • What assets need to be created? • How can public media help address these needs?
The Economy Sucks in Michigan – WKAR to the Rescue! CPB Economy Grant – Economic Forum They said: “The key issue is JOBS!”
The Economy Sucks in Michigan – WKAR to the Rescue! The Planets Align! • “By the People: Hard Times, Hard Choices” • Deliberative polling in Lansing • Grant to focus on this event & follow-up
The Economy Sucks in Michigan – WKAR to the Rescue! ReWorking Michigan • WKAR focuses on jobs / employment strategies • for reinventing economy and region
The Economy Sucks in Michigan – WKAR to the Rescue! ReWorking Michigan Project Elements • Air “Hard Times, Hard Choices” • 16 radio features on jobs, entrepreneurship, new economy, etc. • Half-hour doc’ on these issues • Website with local/national resources; archived broadcasts • Facilitated community conversations in 3 distinct areas • Promotion support
The Economy Sucks in Michigan – WKAR to the Rescue! ReWorking Michigan Results • Too soon to tell • Stay tuned Contacts • Jeanie Croope: jeanie@wkar.org 517-432-3120, ext 424 • Susi Elkins: susi@wkar.org 517-432-3120, ext 418