Eight placemaking assets show economic promise for Michigan communities
With so many headlines broadcasting the challenges facing our cities — from struggling schools, crumbling infrastructure and a lack of affordable housing to food insecurity and precarious finances — it is unclear whether city managers and local government officials have any arrows left in their quivers to sustain and revitalize their communities. Leaders of smaller […]
Striving for more graduates in Michigan
This article originally appeared in Capital Gains, an online magazine and website showcasing the growth and investments transforming the Lansing region, on February 24, 2016. It has been edited by PSC staff for this reprint in Bright Ideas. Ezekiel Moreno, a college adviser at Everett High School in Lansing Jeff Guilfoyle of Public Sector Consultants Brandi Johnson of the Michigan […]
Leveraging Michigan’s natural resources for economic development
As any Michigander knows, our state has abundant and diverse natural resources that everyone can enjoy. These resources contribute significantly to the state’s culture, history, identity and economy—attracting visitors, residents and businesses to the state. Michigan is not, however, a top ten state in terms of its natural resource economy (i.e., an economy based on […]
Q&A: PSC’s Julie Metty Bennett on the firm’s inclusive approach to strategic planning
For an entire day, no phones were answered, no e-mails were replied to and no texts were sent. Instead, Public Sector Consultants’ staff unplugged for a daylong retreat to make sure the company was on track with executing a strategic plan to achieve its 2023 vision. The plan is organized around four goals that focus […]
Michiganders’ voices heard on issues ripped from the headlines
Michigan Radio and Public Sector Consultants (PSC) presented voters with a diverse set of questions in its latest quarterly poll, with topics ranging from robot cars to carrying concealed weapons. The last in this year’s series, this poll is a collaborative effort between Michigan Radio and PSC to better understand Michiganders’ opinions on important policy […]
Beyond evaluation: How Michigan supports its teachers
This article originally appeared in Second Wave, a Michigan-focused online magazine, on November 9, 2015. In early November, Gov. Rick Snyder signed new rules for evaluating teacher performance into Michigan law. Senate Bill 103 calls for research-based evaluation for Michigan educators, requiring school districts to establish performance evaluation systems that focus more on student growth and less on […]
PSC turns 36!
PSC president Peter Pratt Public Sector Consultants’ president, Peter Pratt, has been with the firm for 29 years. In honor of PSC’s 36th birthday this past month, he reflects on those past three decades. “During the years I’ve been at PSC, I’ve seen the firm grow and get better. As a company, we’re steadier and we’re […]
Talent in Michigan: Setting an ambitious agenda
An interactive conversation hosted by Public Sector Consultants Talent retention, recruitment and development are key to a healthy workforce. On Oct. 29, Public Sector Consultants will bring together experts in these areas to discuss how Michigan can better diversify, grow and strengthen its labor pool. Participate in an interactive conversation with Kevin Stotts, president of […]
Region 9 Prosperity Summit…setting the course for the future!
Come hear from leaders of successful regional economic partnerships about how they have moved their talent and economic agendas forward, discuss how these models could be applied in Region 9 and identify priority actions for next year’s Prosperity Initiative grant. Monday, Nov. 16, 20159:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.Washtenaw Community CollegeMorris Lawrence Conference Center4800 E Huron […]
In the Gears: PSC’s evaluation skills inform decision-makers
Effective policy does not end with implementation; programs, initiatives and policies must be continuously evaluated to make sure they are reaching their milestones and goals. At PSC, consultants work with clients to design and conduct evaluations in the policy areas of health, education and environment and energy. Evaluation may be focused at the program, initiative […]