Michigan Reimagined

The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted all walks of life and severely disrupted the way we live. Arguably the hardest hit businesses are those in the entertainment field, being among the last allowed to reopen. As of this recording - in early October 2020 - indoor entertainment venues like movie theaters and bowling alleys are just now coming back to life. In this episode, Chris is joined by our f...

Every year the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce announces a list titled “10 over the next 10”, and this year's winners were recently announced. Chris is joined by two of the ten winners for this year, Katie Krick, Commercial Lines Producer at Cedar River Insurance, and Joe Lewis II, Project Manager at C2AE, to discuss what that award means, how it’s earned, and why it’s important!

The CoronaVirus pandemic of 2020 (and hopefully not beyond) has wreaked havoc on virtually all aspects of life. One facet of fallout that has been the future of the office workspace. Joining Chris to give us an expert perspective on this topic is Senior VP and Office Associate for Martin Commercial Properties, Eric Rosekrans!

This next discussion checks a lot of boxes - vibrancy, revitalization, nutrition, small business development among others. Joining Chris to discuss farmers markets as a whole, and the new Marketplace on the Green in Meridian Township is the Director of Meridian Township Parks and Recreation, LuAnne Maisner.

Support for entrepreneurship in Michigan can be found in a lot of places - and in Mid-Michigan, you will often find LEAP - the Lansing Economic Area Partnership, leading the charge. Joining Chris to discuss the newly unveiled One&All program - a brand new series of resources, targeted at a specific group of people - are our friends from LEAP: VP of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Tony Willis, and...

Entrepreneurs and small business drive a significant percentage of our economy. On Michigan Reimagined, we have highlighted dozens of initiatives meant to assist start-ups. Today, we’ll hear about a brand new pre-seed fund offered through the Michigan State University Foundation called Michigan Rise. Joining Chris to tell us more is Michigan Rise Executive Director, Jeff Wesley, and Director Prem...

The Corona-virus pandemic has devastated countless lives, and ground virtually all normalcy including schools, sports, jobs and the economy in general. Unless you’re connected directly, you may have undervalued the effects it has had on the arts. Joining Chris to discuss how the arts are navigating the pandemic is the Owner & Director of Opportunity Arts, Mike Marriott.

A wider variety of housing options is something communities clamor for to remain competitive to attract new residents and to drive their economy. One housing variety that is becoming a bigger deal, is tiny homes. Joining Chris to talk about a new neighborhood exclusively made up of Tiny Homes is the President of TA Forsberg, Mr. Brent Forsberg!

In this episode we learn more about Orthopaedic Rehab Specialists - a mid-Michigan physical therapy firm providing a wide variety of services. And to discuss the success ORS has been achieving, Chris is joined by CEO, Kevin Barclay.

Each year the Michigan Celebrates Small Business organization - or MCSB - publishes their “Michigan Top 50 Companies to Watch”. Ngage Management of Okemos was selected for one of the coveted positions from a state-wide pool of candidates. In this episode, Chris is joined by Tobi Lyon, CEO of Ngage Management, to discuss what makes Ngage such a special small business!

The Chamber of Commerce is known to be a resource for and a connector of businesses. You think of seminars, meetings and mixers. But what do you do as a Chamber when businesses are closed and everyone is staying at home? You adjust! To discuss how one chamber adjusted, Chris is joined by Michelle Rahl, VP of Member Engagment for the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce!

Public transportation is something many communities and its citizens rely on. But how do you manage transit during a pandemic that has many staying at home, or social distancing? To share one organization’s path, Chris is joined by Brad Funkhouser, CEO of CATA - Capital Area Transportation Authority!

Economic Development Agencies have been on a roll revitalizing our state through recruiting, advocacy, policy and funding. Then, the Corona-virus hit. To help discuss how Economic Development Agencies pivot during these disruptive times, Chris is joined by Keith Lambert, VP of Business Attraction at LEAP - the Lansing Economic Area Partnership!

The changing landscape for marketing and business development due to the Coronavirus is undeniable. Advertising, Networking, Tradeshows and Client Meetings all have been disrupted and businesses who expect to survive during the new normal must remain nimble. In this episode, Chris is joined by Julie Holton, Principal Strategist & Owner of MConnexions, to discuss how companies have been adjusting t...

Michigan has seen strong results in efforts to revitalize aging downtowns. Then the pandemic hit, followed by protests and riots amid outrage over police killings of minorities. Many "downtowns" across the country experienced damage to storefronts, vacant due to the Stay Home, Stay Safe order. How much momentum has been lost and where do we go from here? In this episode, Chris is joined by Cathlee...

School aged children, from K-12 and from colleges and universities, were abruptly sent home and the world shifted to online learning during the pandemic of Covid-19. Most educators, students and parents were ill equipped for the change. In this episode, Chris is joined by Jessica Rollins, Owner & Executive Director, Sylvan Learning Centers of Mid-Michigan, to discuss the challenges, and more impor...

Human Resources can be a challenge for businesses of all sizes during normal times. Navigating a pandemic, and balancing business survival and employee accommodations, makes things 1000 times harder. In this episode, Chris is joined by Jodi Schafer, Principal of Human Resource Management Services, to discuss these challenges and offer some strategies to cope.

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the states spearhead when it comes to driving support for our businesses. The global pandemic of Covid-19 impacted Michigan greatly and the MEDC has been here to help. In this episode, Chris is joined by Josh Hundt, Executive VP & Chief Business Development Officer for Michigan Economic Development Corporation, to discuss the many resources made ava...

The concept of the Chamber of Commerce is pretty well known to most. I've lived in a lot of places and have been a member of dozens of Chambers, but I can honestly say, when I joined the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce, I was blown away with the programs, support and connections they provided to me as a new resident and business leader. In this episode, I am joined by Steve Japinga, Vice Pres...

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the states spearhead when it comes to driving sustainability of our state. Like any good group of leaders, they occasionally pause, review the data and reset the trajectory and priorities of their mission. In this episode, Chris is joined by Josh Hundt, Executive Vice President & Chief Business Development Officer for MEDC, to discuss their new stra...

Lansing's Eastside neighborhood has been an especially proud part of mid-Michigan for years. In this episode, Chris is joined by Joan Nelson, Director of the Allen Neighborhood Center, to help educate us on where that pride comes from and where it's going!

The Arts Council of Greater Lansing has been a leader in the advocacy, education and celebration of the arts culture in mid-Michigan for years. In this episode, Chris is joined by Meghan Martin, the Council's recently appointed Executive Director!

CATA - Capital Area Transportation Authority - has been providing bus transportation for Ingham County since 1972. For almost 50 years, residents have been able to jump on a CATA bus and travel throughout the cities of Lansing and East Lansing and Delhi, Lansing and Meridian Townships. In this episode, Chris is joined by Lolo Robison, Director of Marketing/Customer Experience for CATA, to talk abo...

General Motors recently announced a $2.2 Billion dollar investment into its Detroit Hamtramck assembly plant, creating more than 2200 manufacturing jobs. Here to unpack this announcement is the Executive Vice President & Chief Business Development Officer for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Josh Hundt.