Featured Stories
Tom Clynes
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
David Berdish has been called the sustainability guru of the Ford Motor Company and, no, that's not an oxymoronic title. Concentrate digs in with the car company's green advocate and discusses how a member of the Big Three can promote sustainable practices, champion mass transit, and still hold true to their business mission. He also talks about Michigan's need for leadership when it comes to developing public transportation.
Mark Maynard
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Mark Maynard, local blogger extraordinaire, shares his recent tete-a-tete with Paul Saginaw about the upcoming Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE) conference in Grand Rapids, why it's crucial to develop a vibrant local business environment, and the meaning of "real prosperity."
Tanya Muzumdar
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
It's a bike. It's art. It's two great tastes in one. Concentrate's Tanya Muzumdar pedals around town on the seven-seater Conference Bike, and learns why Ann Arbor is a a great place to ride (and Mackinac Island is verboten).
Richard Retyi
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
You don't have to hop a plane to find the perfect fly fishing spot. Southeast Michigan is ground zero for anglers. From trout to walleye to steelhead, local rivers offer up plenty of opportunities to learn the art of casting or test your latest fly.
MSHDA
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Our state is blessed with Pure Michigan "placemaking" success stories -- from beautiful Campus Martius Square in Detroit to the chic cafes and boutiques in Grand Rapids to the Upper Peninsula splendor of Presque Isle Park in Marquette.
Noelle Lothamer
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
The people and places behind innovation and jobs are where we can really take the pulse of statewide recovery. Take a look inside at case studies in three cities that put a human face on community engagement and economic growth.
K.G. Wassus
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Recently, the Michigan Environmental Council conducted a study that showed that state residents are interested in seeing more sidewalks and bike lanes--not just more roads. Amen to that, we say. From business to safety to retaining young talent, the case for complete streets is a strong one.
MSHDA
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
The Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM) and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) are getting the message out that placemaking matters.
Tom Clynes
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
A trek around Michigan without the help of a car can be more than difficult, it can be an epic journey fraught with challenges. Folks who embarked on the Michigan Transportation Odyssey discovered the good, the bad, and the ugly of our state transit system. Our own Tom Clynes was along for the ride.
Constance Crump
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
How do you turn a 5.5 mile loop into $100 million of development while drawing enthusiastic cyclists, walkers, and strollers? If you're Indianapolis you do it with a $65 million Cultural Trail that connects people to art, nature, and local history.
Concentrate Staff
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Why do some public spaces inspire use and others sit idle? What is the effect on the surrounding neighborhood?
Concentrate and the Ann Arbor DDA present the second in our "Great Places" speaker series. This time we've got Bob Gregory, President of the Detroit 300 Conservancy, which is responsible for the development and management of
Campus Martius Park, the $20+ million centerpiece of Downtown Detroit. Sign up now for
tomorrow's event!
Constance Crump
Wednesday, April 04, 2012
What makes a street thrive? Why do people gravitate to some corners yet leave others empty? To chart the changes on Division Street, particularly between Washington and Liberty, is to see how redevelopment and foot-friendly businesses can transform Ann Arbor's downtown. Concentrate's Constance Crump digs in.
Tanya Muzumdar
Wednesday, April 04, 2012
Math professor by day, burrito maker... by day. Mark's Carts has not only attracted interesting on-the-go cuisine to downtown, it's inspired unconventional owners as well. Concentrate's Tanya Muzumdar chats with Dr. Paul Kessenich, owner of Darcy's Cart, about juggling his academic responsibilities with the demands of food cart culture.
Melinda Clynes
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
826michigan is well known for its Robot Repair Store and writing center in downtown Ann Arbor (not to mention its fun, offbeat events). But did you also know they tutor and host workshops in Ypsilanti? From fiction to stage plays to poetry, volunteers at their Drop-In Teen Writing Workshop inspire kids to find expression through words.
Jeff Meyers
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
As Nikka Costa sings, "Everybody's got their something." Poetry slammers, story tellers, and, yes, even entrepreneurs. Thus the EntreSlam, a new tale-telling competition for Ann Arbor's business minded. We talk to the creators of this MOTH Story Hour for start-uppers.