Category Archives: Entrepreneurialism

Speaking of second-stage companies

By John Bebow | Published: January 28, 2010
Crain’s Detroit Business today launches a new e-newsletter specifically devoted to Michigan’s second-stage companies and their strategic issues. Click here to sign up.
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'Can farming save Detroit?'

By John Bebow | Published: January 14, 2010
One of the most in-depth explorations of that question — or at least of one of the largest proponents of large-scale farming in Motown, appears in this month’s Fortune Magazine. An excerpt… Yes, a farm. A large-scale, for-profit agricultural enterprise, wholly contained within the city limits of Detroit. (Stockbroker John) Hantz thinks farming could do his [...]
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Small business, big government, and benefits reform

By The Center for Michigan | Published: August 6, 2009
Two fresh pieces of news this week illustrate, in completely different ways, the value of considering House Speaker Andy Dillon’s plan to overhaul and pool health care benefits for public employees. First, small business owners got a shock when Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan announced plans to begin rating small employers and charging premiums [...]
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Big Ideas for Business Growth

By John Bebow | Published: June 25, 2009
Most of us working stiffs didn’t have time to head to downtown Motown for this months National Summit on the economy. But there’s still time for us to catch up on the big-picture thinking. Go to PBS  to watch quick prescriptions for economic growth from a couple dozen leading corporate execs. Speaking of big-picture thinking, Chris [...]
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If knocked down five times, get up six

By John Bebow | Published: June 3, 2009
Six stories of Michigan’s economic diversification, even in the face of the GM and Chrysler bankruptcies… 1. 50 Michigan Companies to Watch. This year’s list of fast-growing Michigan entrepreneurs includes such firms as A & M Aquatics (a saltwater livestock wholesaler in Lansing), Burkard Industries (an old-line manufacturer in Macomb County that has trandformed into an [...]
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Michigan is not a high-tax state

By John Bebow | Published: March 12, 2009
The brand-new state-by-state business tax burden rankings once again contradict the common perception that Michigan drives away business with high taxes. The 3rd annual state rankings by East Lansing-based Anderson Economic Group list Michigan at 22nd among the states in terms of business taxes as a share of profits. Michigan’s taxes were listed at 14.94 percent [...]
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It's the economy, Stupid

By John Bebow | Published: February 11, 2009
Amidst the gloomy drumbeat of jobs and business news and bruises, four economic experts traded ideas with a packed house of interested citizens and business leaders this week at the University of Michigan’s Ford School of Public Policy. Highlights from “Michigan’s Economy in 2009 and Beyond: A Panel Discussion of Economy Experts”: Quote of the Day: “We’ve [...]
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SE Michigan's Competitive Position

By John Bebow | Published: December 5, 2008
Detroit Renaissance, the longstanding voice of metro Detroit’s top executives, has surveyed the national landscape to best measure Metro Detroit’s strengths and weaknesses. The fresh results, as summarized by Renaissance President and Center for Michigan steering committe member Doug Rothwell: The cost of doing business in Michigan makes us uncompetitive for attracting and retaining both manufacturing and [...]
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SE Michigan's Entrepreneurial Cities

By John Bebow | Published: October 24, 2008
Congrats to six Metro Detroit communities for earning the title of the region’s most entrepreneurial cities.. Auburn Hills, Dundee, Plymouth Township, Southfield, Tecumseh and Troy. That news comes from the University of Michigan-Dearborn’s Center for Innovation Research… The 2008 “eCities” study (or “the Entrepreneurial Cities Index”) found that many southeast Michigan municipalities “are hard at work attracting, cultivating, [...]
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Michigan's bizarre circular thinking on biz taxes

By John Bebow | Published: October 24, 2008
Doug Drake tried to warn us. “Are you ready for some grumbling?” Drake asked a crowd two years ago at a statewide tax policy conference hosted by the Center for Michigan. A veteran of many state budget and tax fights, Drake raised concerns about the prospects of replacing Michigan’s old SBT business tax. Let me remind you [...]
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