Noah Babcock is the principle owner of NxtGen Marketing along with editor of WonderMichigan.  He is the proud father of twin boys, avid Michigan State supporter, and huge Detroit sports fan.

My love for Michigan is three fold; I love the Michigan of the past.  The memories that I have from growing up in Michigan have shaped me into the person that I am today.  It has allowed me to have many experiences and adventures that no other place in America allows.  The present day Michigan has allowed me to fulfill my lifelong goals and dreams.  And the Michigan of the future is the motivation that I use to continue to better myself and my family.

I grew up hearing stories about Detroit from my grandparents.  The Detroit of the 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s was a place of wonder.  I would listen to tales of working downtown having lunches at Joe Muers, and dinners at the London Chop House.  Shopping at Hudson’s downtown and watching Lions football in the freezing cold in the fall and basking in the sunshine watching Tigers baseball.  This was the time to be in Detroit.  My family made Detroit their home during this time.  Both my grandfather’s built own businesses in Detroit.  One had a small chain of furniture stores located throughout the city, while the other built an industrial laundry business.  The Midwestern blue collar work ethic has been passed down to throughout the generations.  I am the third generation to start a business in Michigan.  My own memories of Michigan are of the Bob-lo boat and island, Belle Isle Aquarium, Huckleberry Railroad, Detroit Zoo, Trappers Alley, and Tigers Stadium.  Some of these places from my childhood only exist in my memories now.  Present day Michigan has new places to explore and enjoy.

As I write this post today, the travel campaign of the early 80’s of Yes Michigan, which had a tag line of “the feeling is forever” comes to mind.  Everything that I have accomplished is because of Michigan.  I received a great education from Michigan State University and Oakland University.  The work ethic that I picked up my parents and grandparents, along with the blue collar culture of Michigan’s workforce has allowed me to fulfill my dream of starting and running my own business.  I met my wife in Michigan and we were blessed this past year to start our own family in Michigan, now I get to share all the wonders of Michigan with my family.  The pure beauty of Michigan allows me to enjoy hikes up north, great wine, beautiful lakes, and amazing golf.  Present day Michigan may be having a few problems, but there is so much to look forward to in the future.     

I am a dreamer, when I look at Michigan; I see all the potential that is around the state.  Michigan has more to offer then most other states in the country.  We have a natural resource in our lakes that no other state has.  With the proposed Aerotropolis around Metro Airport Michigan has the opportunity to become a hub for any company that is looking to produce products and ship them not only nationally but internationally.  If the shrinking of Detroit happens, there is going to be another resource around a major city that is not available in any other state in our country.  Detroit will have an abundance of land that can be used for whatever a person can think of.  A large company looking to build a new manufacturing plant, urban farming, research facility that needs a lot of space, the options are endless.  The last resource that Michigan has that ties all these together is the large amount of higher education that could be the feeder for any company that is in Michigan, and also the feeder for eager college graduates that are looking to start their own thing.  The Michigan of the future is whatever we want it to be there are very few places that have such an opportunity.  My third reason that I love Michigan is because I see a bright future that I am excited to participate in. 

I love Michigan because it is my past, present, and future.  Michigan is in my blood, it is who I am.

Josh Linkner is the Founder & Chairman of ePrize, a four-time entrepreneur, a professional-level jazz musician, and author of two books.  Josh is also a founding member of Detroit Venture Partners, LLC., a Detroit-based Venture Capital firm whose purpose is to help rebuild the Detroit area through entrepreneurial fire.  Here is why Josh believes Michigan is the place to do business.

As I travel the world and tell people I’m a technology entrepreneur for Michigan, they give me a strange look.  You know the look – the kind a dog makes when she tilts her head sideways and stares as if to say, “you make absolutely zero sense.”  As a self-proclaimed rule-breaker, I love balking conventional wisdom and I’m thrilled to continue to grow entrepreneurial businesses right here in Michigan.  In fact, I think Michigan provides a significant competitive advantage!  So in tribute to David Letterman, here are the top 10 reasons why Michigan is a GREAT place to launch and grow your startup:

10. Amazing Talent – The region is filled with incredible people with diverse perspectives and skillsets.

9. Real Estate – tons of fantastic buildings and facilities, all at a fraction of the cost of either coast.

8. Work Ethic – We Detroiters are street-fighters.  We’re willing to run through brick walls while others are worried about messing up their manicures.

7. Higher Education – U of M, Michigan State, Wayne State, Oakland U, and other amazing institutions continue to mint fantastic talent, ideas, and innovations.

6. Low Costs – overall cost of living is dramatically lower, which has a direct impact on your bottom line.

5. Collaborative Vibe – Folks here want to help each other out, and there are so many people that are passionate about rebuilding the region and want to help you win.

4. Government Support – yep, I said it!  Our new Governor is an entrepreneur and venture capitalist and is ready to do whatever it takes to rebuild the region through entrepreneurship.  My friends at the MEDC, Oakland and Wayne County, and even City officials are all ready to pitch in to help however possible.

3. Mentors – Brilliant leaders like Dan Gilbert, Roger Penske, and Mike Illich are passionate about this region and have provided incredible support to emerging companies.

2. Geography / Quality of Life – We have beautiful lakes, fantastic roads and infrastructure, a world-class airport, outstanding hospitals and schools, and a beautiful city (that just needs a fresh coat of paint).  We’re an easy flight to anywhere in the US, aren’t overcrowded, and offer a great place to raise a family.

1. Soul – Simply put, Detroit is a City with a soul.  We come from a rich heritage of entrepreneurship and have an incredibly bright future despite our current challenges.  Passion put us on the map, and it will be the driving force of revitalization.

As you launch your company, you have a choice.  You can follow the herd to New York, Chicago, or San Francisco and get lost in the pack.  Or you can stay right here and make a real difference.  If there was ever a time in history for you to be part of transformational change, this is it!  Seize it, embrace it, and go for it!

After attending the TEDxDetroit conference on September 29th at the Detroit Institute of Art, I left in a daze.  There are so many great things going on in and around Detroit.  The mix of established businesses, up and coming companies along with the artist that inhabit the city, left me with a great sense of hope and excitement  Since the event happened a week ago, I just wanted to give a quick overview of what got me excited.

Artist
Jocelyn Rainey-Founder – J Rainey Gallery:  Jocelyn Rainey teaches art and culture to Detroit Youths, in here looking for the Mona Lisa Project.  Not only are they learning about art and culture but she takes them to see the art in their native land.  So fare they have been to Paris, Spain, Japan, and Egypt.
Joybox Express: In 2010 4 musicians completed the 2nd Annual tour across Michigan hauling instruments on bicycles for 300 miles, raising money for children’s charities.
Anuja Rajendra-Creator and CEO-BollyFit: A great wake up after lunch, she had us dancing in the ailses.  A great story of coming home to Michigan to find yourself.
Dave Blair: My favorite poem of the day, “Detroit while I was gone”.  A moving poem about how Detroit calls to him while he is gone.  He sees beauty is all aspects of Detroit.

Inspiring Businesses
Geoff Horst-Algal Scientific Corporation: A Michigan born company, that is working to clean up our water system through filtering waste water from factories.  The company in their second year, is not only helping to preserve one of Michigan’s natural resources, but also working to make the world a better place with clean energy.
Will Smidlein: He is 13 and building a business.  There is not much more to say.  He mostly talked about the advantage of starting at a young age when he has not financial obligations.  Soon his parents will be asking him for an allowance.
Jerry Paffendorf & Mary Lorene Carter- LOVELAND:This is the presentation of the day.  They used imagination and innovation to sell an inch of Detroit real estate at a time.  They have since moved on to rehabbing two houses in Detroit to an Imagination Station.
Erik Proulx-Flim Maker-Lemonade: The preview of Lemonaid Detroit, how there is great stories in Detroit that just need to be told.  It was very inspiring, and I cannot wait for the movie to come out.

After attending the Future Midwest Conference in Royal Oak last weekend, I have more confidence that Michigan will rebound from recent issues.  This first time event attracted over 600 attendees, and showcased some really cool companies that are located here in Michigan.  The biggest surprise for me, was what is going on in Dearborn at Ford Motor Company.  I have never been a huge fan of the auto companies.  I was under the belief that they had become fat and not set in their ways, not adapting to a new business world.  With one presentation, by Scott Monty, the Global Digital and Multimedia Manager at Ford, changed my whole perception.  What got me so excited was on two folds of what Ford is doing. 

The most impresive was how they have incorporated technology into their cars.  They started with the Sync system, and have evolved that into the Ford Touch.  These systems are letting the driver stay connected to the world through their phone like no other time.  For more information on the Sync Technology, see the April edition of Fast Company article.  My second surprise was how Ford has used social media and the web to connect to their customers.  The best example of this is the Ford Feista Movement, were they gave 100 people a car that has never been in the US, to drive for a year.  The 100 were asked to talk about the car.  They even started to produce their own videos on the car.  The results of the movement was Ford received 10,000 pre-orders for a car that most have never seen.  Don’t get me wrong, Ford still has a long way to go, but they are moving in the correct direction. 

General Motors also had a very impressive presentation, and are doing some really cool things with social media.  Check out the SXSW Chevy Road Trip.  One last company that I would like to recognize is Current Motor Company, out of Ann Arbor.  They just launched their first Electric Scooter.  These bikes have a top speed of 70 mph and can go up to 80 miles on one charge.  This is a great example of Michigan Company being in front of the trend and working to make our world a better place.  Michigan will come out of our recent problems a better, leaner, and more humble state, that will again be one of the hubs of innovation and invention.  I am proud to be here to be part of it.

A documentary about Detroit featuring Toby Barlow (NYTimes and Huffington Post contributor, Team Detroit) and Mark Covington (Chairman, Georgia Street Community Collective).
The film takes a positive look at Detroit forward rumbles throug the prism of two totally different figures that are changing the city for the better in their own way.

One would never think that these two seemingly different career paths, would have such a simular view of the hope and vision that lies in Detroit.  Excuse the pun, but the view of a small seed and how it can grow to really effect the city.  Toby Barlow is correct, Detroit is the future for America, either it is going to raise from the ashes, or show the rest of the country where they are headed.  It is the State of Michigan’s job to make sure the we make sure that not only Detroit, but Michigan raise from the ashes to become an example of where this country can be headed.

Detroit Lives is organizing an exhibition that will include information about the sale of hundreds of inches of Detroit land along with works by Detroit artists, musicians, a farmer, and a New York Times writer, among others.   “DETROIT LIVES! // the exhibit” opens January 14 at 6pm at the Ladybug Gallery in Southwest Detroit’s historic Hubbard Farms neighborhood. An interactive screen printing component will be part of the exhibit.  Organizers encourage guests to bring a piece to print on (paper, cardboard, clothing, etc) to participate.  Along with a short film by Detroit Lives, there will also be photographer Vanessa Miller (Detroit) presents her photo essay “Making it Happen”, Jerry Paffendorf (Detroit), the mind behind “Loveland,”, and Alan Scheurman (Detroit), the Detroit musician who contributed music to the film and will also perform songs from his recent album “Old Patterns” as part of the exhibit.
For more information click here

The Michigan house of representatives voted on Thursday December 17th to give the “Pure Michigan” ad campaign 40 million dollars to continue the campaign.  They plan on funding this through collection from car rentals, and other tourism related businesses.

Anyone who has watched television, listened to the radio, or drove anywhere in the mid-west, has seen these cleaver ads, touting the beauty of Michigan.  I could do without the voice overs from Tim Allen.  The Michigan tourism is an $18.1 billion-a-year industry, employing  192,000 people which generates $874 million annually in state tax revenues.  According to Steve Yencich, president and CEO of the Michigan Lodging & Tourism Association, every $1 that Michigan spends on tourism promotion, generates $2.87 in tax revenue.  This means that the 10 million dollar increase in the Pure Michigan campaign should add an additional 28.7 million dollars in tax revenue. 

Pure Michigan is a great campaign, and I hope that this bill does get through the senate, and it continues.  It has won awards and has shown to increase tourism in Michigan even over the past year, we have seen an increase in tourism.  I sometimes wonder how much of that increase is from Michigan residents, but either way it has succeeded in what it set out to do.  One issue I do have is, with the increase in tax income for the state, what is it going to go towards.   Pure Michigan has been very successful, I would like to see the extra tax income from tourism to be used for education and to increase Michigan’s viability to bring in companies to Michigan.  Michigan has been very successful with their movie tax credits, why not take some of the money and fund a tax credit for companies that are growing in Michigan, or starting offices in Michigan. As these companies increase jobs in the state, they would bring in more taxes from the newly employed, along with making Michigan a more friendly business state.  Another place that some of the increase in tax dollars needs to go is in to education.  For Michigan to have a strong future, we need in invest in our students.  Michigan needs to look at the Pure Michigan campaign as a spring board to bring Michigan back to the leader that it should be.

As winter ascends on Michigan it is important to celebrate the Winter Wonderland that Michigan has to offer.  The range of things to do in Michigan span from events in different cities, to winter destinations that are like no other place in the country.  Michigan can offer some of the best outdoor winter activities, along with some great places to check out that are indoors.  It really does not matter what you do this winter, just get out and explore Michigan.  I would love hear what some of your favorite places and things to do are in Michigan.  If I get enough responses I will list the fan favorite’s responses. 

Detroit Winter Blast
A unique combination of hip and fun winter events that are centered around Campus Martius Park and fantastic indoor events throughout Detroit.  Events include Ice skating, Dine in the D, Wine Tasting, Electronic Music Festival, Arctic Blast Slide, Live Music, and Marshmallow Roasting.   Along with the fun there are some great deals available on dinning and hotels.  Blows into town Feb 12 -14

 Ski one of Michigan 47 Resorts
Green, blue and black diamond downhill skiing runs. All powder coated in winter white. With more than 40 downhill ski areas and resorts, the silvery slopes of Michigan offer the best Alpine skiing in the Midwest. Here run after amazing run paints us with a rush of emotion. The frosty air invigorates our spirits and leaves our cheeks a euphoric shade of rosy. So let’s head up the lift and get a little closer to the bright blue sky where the beauty of downhill skiing is Pure Michigan.

 Enjoy the Culture of Michigan
Celebrate the great cultural offerings that Michigan has to offer, from the Motown museum in Detroit, to the Kresge fine art museum in East Lansing.  Michigan has a rich history to share with the world, from early pioneer’s days up through the automotive industry, and beyond.  The Air Zoo in Kalamazoo is a fun place to learn about the aircraft history, along with fun amusement park rides.  If you happen to be in the Upper Peninsula check out the U.S. National Ski and Snowboard Museum in Ishpeming, MI.  Where ever you turn in Michigan there is a warm museum to learn something from.

 Perchville USA, East Tawas, MI
This is one of my favorite weekends in February, as anyone who has ever lived in Tawas and surrounding areas, comeback for this fun filled weekend.  There are many events that  includes the Family Tent, Hospitality Tent, Softball game, Perchville Eve Kick-off Dinner, dog pull and much more.  Don’t forget the Polar Bear Swims on Saturday.  This year marks the 60^th anniversary of Perchville so should be a good one.  February 4-7. 

 Trek through the woods on your Snow Mobile
Michigan has 61,000 maintained interconnected trail systems for pure enjoyment of the Michigan Winter Wonderland in the Lower and Upper Peninsula.  Sharing the snowmobiling vacations and trips experience with our families and friends. It’s what snowmobiling is all about.  What a great way to enjoy the natural undisturbed beauty of Michigan all covered with soft white snow.

Nothing Beats Sledding and Hot Chocolate
When I was a little kid, there was nothing better to do on a weekend or snow day from school than putting on a million layers of clothes, big puffy jacket, hat and gloves and going sledding at a park for hours.  No matter how many times I went down the same hill, each time was a new adventure.  Plus the knowledge that after the sledding was done, a steaming cup of hot chocolate was waiting for me to start the thawing process.  What a great way to get outside and enjoy the Michigan Winter, in a rather in expensive way. 

 Shopping is not just for the Holidays
Shopping may not be as fun for some as playing outside skiing, sledding, or snowmobiling.  But it is important to help support Michigan companies.  Whether going to small independent stores, or supporting the big malls that are owned by Michigan based companies such as Taubman company. Michigan needs our support.

Cross Country Skiing
Let’s leave the drone of engines behind. Let’s distance ourselves from the noisy crowds. And let’s enjoy the quiet beauty of a glistening white Michigan winter on our cross country skis. With over 3,000 miles of cross country skiing trails, the hush of snow-covered scenery sets the stage for an invigorating wintertime adventure. So let’s click in our bindings and hit the trails, because cross country skiing on a brilliant winter day is Pure Michigan.

Stay In; Get Under a Blanket and Cook Michigan Food
Michigan companies produce some of the best food in the country.  Michiganders but on a cold day nothing is better than hot Vernors Ginger Ale.  Have a bit of a sweet tooth; get some Michigan Cherries, Sanders hot fudge to top off some Guernsey ice cream.  It is not even very difficult find Michigan made products at your local grocery store, many now to go great lengths to point out the products that are produced in Michigan.  Spending just $10 on Michigan products could really make a difference in the Michigan Economy.

Wild Winter at the Detroit Zoo
Beat the winter blues this season during the Wild Winter Weekends at the Detroit Zoo.  Wild Winter is a unique, fun way to experience the magic of the Zoo in winter.  Enjoy your favorite habitats indoors and out, along with special activities including children’s music, zookeeper talks, crafts, and much more.  The Wild Winter festivities will be on select weekends in January, February and March from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. These events are free with your zoo admission.

As found on advertisingtalk.com, 

Brand Asset Digital to Bring New Jobs to Michigan Thru Acquisition of Heritage Tower; Building to be Renamed Brand Asset Digital Tower Company to Bring High-Tech Jobs and Attract More Movie Business to the State.

“With the economy on everyone’s mind we hope this acquisition and the related hiring will be a sign of good things ahead for the state” stated Tim Hogan CEO and Co-Founder of Brand Asset Digital. “Battle Creek is a great city,” said Hogan. “Everyone’s been quite welcoming and enthusiastic. They have a lot to offer with their central location and nearby universities, import aspects as we seek to hire developers. We are seeing significant growth and response from the market for our products and technologies and Michigan is an ideal location for us to invest in the future of that growth.”

Brand Assets Digital is a distributed technologies company with a core focus on P2P Search Marketing and Optimization, delivering efficient, high-quality, live streaming technology.  What a great score for Michigan.  This is a company that will grow in Michigan and could bring many many jobs to the State.  Being placed in Battle Creek they are located close to many of the major universities in the state.  When I first came upon this article, I was a little surprised that they would have picked Battle Creek, until I read more and found out that the entire downtown is wired with fiber-optic cable.  This was a great move by Battle Creek.  The foresight to do this could bring in many other businesses to this area.

Michigan needs jobs, I do not think that anyone would disagree with that statement.  The key question is, how do we bring jobs to Michigan?  This is a real chicken or the egg discussion, we need new companies to come in to the state to employ the workers who have been laid off from the auto companies.  What comes first, skilled workers who can work in these new companies or the new companies to train the workers.  One local organization Goodwill Industries of Detroit is working on the first solution. 

If you have watched any television in the last two months, you have for sure seen the commercials for their “Pay It Forward Campaign”.  Goodwill Industries have now taken it to the next level.  Goodwill Industries is taking the envelopes online this week by hosting a “digital raffle” to win a one-night stay at Greektown Casino-Hotel in Detroit. The contest will be promoted through the organization’s social media properties, including those on Twitter and Facebook. For every dollar donated online at http://www.payit4warddetroit.org until September 8, donors will receive one entry into the “digital raffle.” For example, a $1 donation will earn one entry while a $10 donation will grant the donor 10 entries in the raffle. Goodwill Industries will randomly select one winner on September 9.

For more information, follow Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/goodwilldet, search “Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit” on Facebook, or visit http://www.payit4warddetroit.org.  Metro Detroiters interested in helping Goodwill Industries raise funds for local job training programs also can visit the organization’s booth at Arts, Beats & Eats. Festival goers who visit the booth, located at Saginaw and Pike streets, and donate at least $1 to the Pay It 4ward campaign will have the chance to win prizes, scheduled to include a one-night stay and entertainment tickets to Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort in Mt. Pleasant, Mich., or an iPod Nano 8 GB.

“While many Metro Detroiters are enjoying an extended weekend off work, we must remember many in this area are still looking for employment,” Lane said. “The support of Arts, Beats & Eats attendees will be crucial to our success as we seek to train thousands of people for new jobs right here in Metro Detroit. ”

For every 1,000 local people Goodwill Industries puts to work, the organization estimates up to $25 million in wages are earned and spent locally to boost the Metro Detroit economy each year they are on the job. More information on the campaign can be found at http://www.payit4warddetroit.org.

In just the past two years, Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit has helped 2,500 people in Metro Detroit find a job through its employment training and support programs and has provided career assistance to thousands more throughout the region.