During our Feb. 24 show, The Prosperity Agenda discussed the importance of public transportation in our state. Transit experts, developers and government and business leaders from Metro Detroit, Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor shared their stories and views on transit. View the news advisory about this show. Read more from the League about transit.
Host Dan Gilmartin lays out the Prosperity Agenda. Gilmartin is joined by guest co-host Mary Kramer, publisher of Crain’s Detroit Business to discuss how Michigan is losing nearly half of its college graduates and how most leave the state not because of jobs, but because they are drawn to urban centers with vibrant entertainment and cultural lifestyles. Peter Kageyama, founder of the Creative Cities Summit, has been all over the nation speaking about effective cities. David Egner, executive director of the New Economy Initiative and CEO of the Hudson-Webber Foundation, on the 15:15 plan. Joe Borgstrom of MSHDA, unveils a new statewide contest called Pure Michigan Living where people are telling their stories about why they choose to live in Michigan. Lastly, Sean Mann of Let’s Save Michigan talks about how his organization is asking people to pledge to make Michigan a better place.
Airs the last Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. on WJR - 760 AM.
Dan Gilmartin, executive director and CEO of the Michigan Municipal League, kicks things off by explaining how having improved public transportation will play a key role in revitalizing Michigan. Dan explains why this show is focusing on transportation and public transit.
The importance of public transportation: Journalist Jeff Gerritt, award-winning editorial writer for the Detroit Free Press, is the co-host of this show and talks about the history of public transportation in metro Detroit. Did you know Detroit had the first paved highway in the world? Gerritt, who lives in Detroit, discusses how improving public transit leads to a higher quality of life. Gerritt explains how he lives in Detroit and how many people like him want the urban experience.
Transit attracts young people: Oakland County Businessman Alan Kiriluk, founder and chairman of KIRCO, one of the leading real estate organizations in the Midwest. He talks about the need for public transit to retain our young people and create jobs and he doesn’t rule out raising taxes as a funding option. A little bit of public tax dollars can go along way when it comes to providing public transportation in communities.
Transit and today’s youth: U-M Instructor and Urban Planning expert Peter Allen discusses how young people today rely less on the automobile than did their parents and grandparents. He explains that “trolleys are sexy” to young people and how a commuter rail line from Howell to Ann Arbor to Detroit would be a major boost to Michigan’s economy. People in every community need to look at what they have in their area that makes for a viable community. Allen also explains today’s young people have a different view of public transportation than their parents and grandparents did.
Cooperation is key to success: Don Stypula, executive director of the Grand Valley Metropolitan Council, talks about efforts to improve public transportation in Kent and Ottawa Counties. He explains that governmental cooperation is key to having a successful public transit system. Cooperation among officials in Kent County plays a big role in the public transportation strides made in west Michigan.
The Prosperity Agenda Radio Show challenges listeners to help make Michigan a better place to live, work, and play by creating vibrant and prosperous local communities. Upcoming discussions for the show will focus on Michigan transit, entrepreneurship, green initiatives, cultural and economic development, walkable communities and other topics. If you have questions, thoughts or comments about any of these issues or other topics related to Michigan development, tell us here.
Citizens in Michigan’s cities account for 85% of the state’s bachelor’s degrees and 87% of the advanced degrees.
Ann Arbor offers more than 200 unique dining experiences.
Each year Detroit’s peak-time commuters spend an average of 52 hours sitting in traffic congestion, which wastes 34 gallons of gas per person.
Michigan’s metropolitan areas account for 88% of the state’s gross domestic product and are home to 89% of the jobs.
Traverse City’s walkable downtown boasts more than 150 boutiques, galleries, and restaurants.
Detroit has the second-largest theater district in North America, after New York City.
Every $1 invested in public transit returns around $6 in local economic activity.
Cheers! Michigan ranks 6th in the nation in the number of brewpubs and microbreweries.
