Browsing Category
Economic Development
Michigan Leads Nation in Loss of Payroll Employment
IN AUGUST 2014, nonfarm payroll employment increased in 35 states and decreased in 15 states and the District of Columbia. The largest over-the-month increases in employment occurred in California (+44,200), Florida (+22,700), and Texas…
Joblessness Rises in Michigan and Ann Arbor
UNEMPLOYMENT RATES rose in 30 states last month, even as employers in two-thirds of the states stepped up hiring. The trends reflect an increase in job hunters nationwide as an improving economy encourages more people to seek work.
The…
A2POLITICO: Economic Development Groupies Circle The Bentleys to Defend SPARK
by P.D. Lesko
AT A RECENT mayoral candidate forum, unabashed supporters of “crony capitalism”—what President Obama’s former economic expert Dr. Lawrence Summers called the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s programs—defended Ann…
Treasury Officials Confirm Local Economic Development Entities Divert Public School Funding
by P.D. Lesko
While AAPS Superintendent Dr. Jeanice Kerr Swift publicly challenges Gov. Snyder and legislators over cuts to K-12 funding, local economic development groups siphon away millions of public school dollars through tax…
Council Member: After Vote, SPARK CEO Beckoned Mayoral Candidate Out of Chambers and “Screamed” At Her
by P.D. Lesko
Please note: Kai Petainen is a member of The Ann Arbor Independent’s Editorial Board
ANN ARBOR SPARK CEO Paul Krutko was “angry” and “screaming,” according to a City Council member who heard an exchange between Krutko…
Forbes.com Writer—MEDC Report Proves Ann Arbor SPARK is Exaggerating Job Creation Claims by 90 Percent
Please note: Kai Petainen is a member of The Ann Arbor Independent’s Editorial Board
by P.D. Lesko
ANN ARBOR SPARK is once again under fire for discrepancies in its job creation claims. Forbes.com writer Kai Petainen uncovered a…
Keeping Tabs—Locals to Watch In 2014: Yousef Rabhi
On a path where politics and principles meet.
AT POLITICAL GATHERINGS, Washtenaw County Commissioner Yousef Rabhi is often the tallest man in the room and at 24-years-old, often the youngest. He is serving as the Chair of the BOC, one…
Keeping Tabs: Locals To Watch In 2014—Carter Malcolm
Brought manufacturing back to the United States from overseas. Provided dozens of jobs for area teen workers.
IT’S 2013, AND there are 2.5 million Americans ages 16 to 19 who are out of work or underemployed. This group includes teens…
Keeping Tabs—Local To Watch In 2014: Matthew M. Davis, M.D., MAPP
Crowd funding for medical research? Introducing the WellSpringboard Site.
Crowd funding is all the rage these days, with everyone from charities to start-up companies offering ways for masses of people to kick in small amounts of money…
In “Tense” Meeting Ann Arbor SPARK Executive Board Votes To Make 2012 and 2013 Audit Statements Available to The Public For First Time
Please note: Kai Petainen is a member of The Ann Arbor Independent’s Editorial Board.
ON DECEMBER 4th Ann Arbor SPARK CEO and President Paul Krutko sent a letter to local elected officials, as well as the Ann Arbor City Administrator Steve…