PSC’s research tells the story of URC’s impact on Detroit
To increase the area’s prosperity, the University Research Corridor (URC) has been actively engaged in Detroit-focused research projects and initiatives for a number of years. But are its efforts working? Watch this narrative video to learn how PSC harnessed its research and analysis skills to help answer that question. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTRr0Ch7fbs&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fpublicsectorconsultants.com%2F&source_ve_path=Mjg2NjY
Impact of Increasing Education and Employment Rates in West Michigan
Today, unemployment in West Michigan is below 4 percent, suggesting a very strong underlying economy, and the region ranks high in several national studies of growth and quality of life. However, West Michigan still faces significant challenges. A skills mismatch has left many employers struggling to fill positions, even while working-age adults cannot find work or fail to […]
Engaging Detroit: URC’s Contributions to Resurgence in the Motor City
Detroit is Michigan’s iconic city, with a diverse population and a rich cultural history. Its innovation helped create the auto industry and America’s middle class. Michigan’s University Research Corridor (URC) is an alliance of Michigan State University (MSU), the University of Michigan (U-M), and Wayne State University (WSU). The URC ranks as one of the […]
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 […]
Creating 21st Century Communities: Making the economic case for place
The Michigan Municipal League (MML), through its public policy forums, research, and education, identified eight assets that Michigan’s communities need to grow and strengthen in order for our state to prosper in coming years. In 2015, MML hired Public Sector Consultants (PSC) to evaluate the relationship between these eight assets and economic growth indicators like […]
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: Defining the problems — and solutions — for Region 9
Defining problems and solutions through facilitation, strategic counsel and strategic planning is the focus in this installment of In the Gears, a series that highlights the tools PSC uses to turn the gears of public policy innovation. Other focus areas include research, implementation and evaluation. When Gov. Rick Snyder announced his statewide Regional […]
Region 9 Prosperity Initiative Five-year Prosperity Strategy
The Regional Prosperity Initiative (RPI) was established by Gov. Rick Snyder and the state legislature in 2014 to encourage local partners to create vibrant regional economies. The RPI is a voluntary program, developed to recognize the fact that many Michigan regions and their myriad of planning and service delivery entities have overlapping responsibilities and lack […]
Q&A: PSC’s Shanna Draheim and Amanda Menzies on the Green and Healthy Homes Initiative
A healthy home is crucial for educational and economic success — unfortunately, many families live in substandard housing, plagued by hazards like mold or chipping lead paint. The national nonprofit Green and Healthy Homes Initiative (GHHI) has helped residents and cities tackle these problems for years by forging strong community partnerships. By bringing together […]
Global Detroit: Leveraging the talent of Michigan’s immigrants
Elda and Rafael Castellanos own El Comal, a restaurant in southwest Detroit featuring Salvadorean, Guatemalan and Mexican fare. Global Detroit helped connect the Castellanos to partner organization ProsperUS Detroit, a microlending organization that provides access to capital for small businesses that otherwise might not have access through traditional sources. With President Obama’s new policy on […]