The Rural Insights Podcast

Please note: Due to technical difficulties, the first few minutes of our conversation were cut off. We apologize for this issue, and hope you enjoy the episode. In this episode of the Rural Insights Podcast, seasoned public administrator Scott Erbisch joins David Haynes to discuss the unique challenges faced by rural areas in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Topics discussed include air travel, br...

In this episode of the Rural Insights Podcast, host David Haynes is joined by Lois Ellis, Executive Director of the Dickinson Area Economic Development Alliance, and Elise Matz, Vice President of Circle Power Renewables, to discuss the transformative solar energy project at the former Groveland Mine site in Dickinson County. Discover how this $200 million investment is repurposing abandoned indust...

Join David Haynes in the latest engaging episode of the Rural Insights Podcast! In this episode, David welcomes Karen Ogle, a Marquette native who has built a distinguished career in the U.S. State Department. Karen shares her journey from her "lost years" in Marquette to her rise through the ranks of the foreign service, highlighting the mentors and experiences that shaped her path. Kar...

Join David Haynes in this engaging episode of the Rural Insights Podcast, featuring a special edition of the Rural Voices series. In this conversation, David sits down with Robert Hilton, the Foreign Policy Advisor to the Chief of Staff of the Army and a Marquette native with a storied international career. They delve into Robert's journey from a history major at the University of Michigan to...

In this episode of the Rural Insights Podcast, David Haynes and Student Researcher Brenna Musser talk to Representative David Prestin from the 108th House District. They discuss the top issues affecting the district, including the need for more opportunities, housing, and jobs to improve the quality of life in the Upper Peninsula. They also delve into the challenges faced by veterans in rural area...

In this episode of the Rural Insights Podcast, David Haynes sits down for a conversation with Dennis Smith. Dennis is the President of Dennis H. Smith Consulting, a firm working in the Rural Healthcare space focusing on Policy, Strategic Planning and Advocacy. He’s also the former President and CEO of Upper Peninsula Health Plan and its related companies.

In this episode of the Rural Insights Podcast, David Haynes sits down with Kerri Schuiling, President of Northern Michigan University. Topics discussed include NMU's new mental wellness program, the transition to incoming NMU president Dr. Brock Tessman, childcare for faculty and students, the university budget, and more. Dr. Kerri Schuiling became interim president of NMU on October 1, 2021....

In this episode of the Rural Insights Podcast, David Haynes sits down with Dan Truckey, Director and Curator of the Beaumier UP Heritage Center at Northern Michigan University. Topics discussed include Truckey's involvement at the Beaumier Center, career paths for students interested in history and heritage preservation, the legacy of Dr. John Beaumier, and what we can expect at this year&apo...

In this episode of the Rural Insights Podcast, David Haynes sits down to chat with Steve Young, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Northern Michigan University. Topics covered include NMU's search for a new President, and the various challenges facing higher education and how the board and NMU is addressing those challenges. In addition to Chairman of the Board of Trustees at NMU, Steve is...

In this episode of the Rural Insights Podcast, David Haynes sits down with Duane DuRay, Airport Manager for Sawyer International Airport--the Upper Peninsula's largest airport. DuRay has served as the Airport Manager since 2012, following his position at Gogebic Iron County Airport. Topics discussed include the challenges presented by the reduction in flights by American Airlines and Delta Ai...

David Haynes sits down with Brian Chapman, City Manager for Sault Ste. Marie to catch up on the latest issues surrounding municipal finance and rural government, including the issue of "dark stores" and the importance of intergovernmental work in rural communities. Sault Ste. Marie is one of Michigan's international cities, bordering Canada, and home to a large federal workforce inv...

David Haynes sits down with Gina Thorsen, President and Co-Owner of Stormy Kromer, one of the most well-known and successful UP brands and manufacturers--most notably for the original Stormy Kromer cap. Thorsen discusses her background having been born and raised in Ironwood, how her career got started, some of the unique aspects of the Stormy Kromer company, and her perspective on some of the iss...

David Haynes sits down once again with Gary McDowell, former U.P. legislator, U.P. resident, and current director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD). In this episode, Gary discusses the newly-created Office of Rural Development, which was established this past January by Governor Gretchen Whitmer via Executive Directive 2022-01 and is organized within MDARD....

David Haynes sits down with Karen Kovacs, the new City Manager for Marquette. Kovacs was officially appointed as the Marquette City Manager on May 24, 2021 and took office on June 7. The City Manager is the chief administrator for the city government and has a variety of duties including administering city departments, enforcing all laws and ordinances adopted by the City Commission, recommending...

David Haynes sits down with Cheyenne Marlin, Assistant Director for the University of Michigan's U.P. Scholars Program. The program provides "substantial scholarship aid for four years of undergraduate study at U-M exclusively to incoming students from Michigan's Upper Peninsula." In her position at U-M, Marlin helps "develop, implement, and evaluate targeted programs and...

This episode features Dirk Wierenga, director of Route 2 Elsewhere, a documentary which “tells the story of challenges that face rural America communities adapting to a changing economy, from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to Montana” and his colleague Paul Sturgul who helped promote the film. In this episode, David talks with Dirk and Paul about the documentary, their backgrounds, and aspects of...

David Haynes sits down with Elise Bur, who was selected to be the first director of the NMU Center for Rural Health after the program received a $100,000 grant in 2020. The NMU Center for Rural Health is a collaborating center for the Michigan Center for Rural Health aiming to create an integrated health care network that better serves U.P. residents and improves their health outcomes, as well as...

David Haynes sits down with Dr. Coby Fletcher, Superintendent of the Escanaba Area Public School District. His district--one of the largest in the Upper Peninsula--encompasses a kindergarten center, lower elementary school, upper elementary school, junior high school, and senior high school, which combine for a total enrollment of 2,150 students, a staff of 280, and a $24 million budget.  Dr. Flet...

David Haynes sits down for another conversation with David Jahn, President and CEO of Chippewa County War Memorial Hospital. Jahn has been with War Memorial for 15 years, and prior to that he was CEO and CFO at Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital in Manistique (his hometown) for 22 years. David has his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Michigan Technological University and an MBA from...

David Haynes sits down with Ed Legault, Executive Director for the Delta  County Economic Development Alliance to talk about what's happening in his part of the Upper Peninsula. Ed gives a review of some of the great things happening in Delta County, including new buildings, new businesses, and new projects. Also discussed are the issues of housing, child care, and health care in Delta County...

David Haynes sits down with Dr. Charles Ballard, Professor of Economics at Michigan  State University. They cover topics including Michigan's economy and budget, wealth inequality and Michigan's shrinking middle class, childcare tax, and more. Dr. Ballard is an expert in all areas of economics including the Michigan and national economies; trade reform; tax and expenditure policy; state...

David Haynes sits down with Brigitte LaPointe, CEO of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community. Previously, LaPointe served as Director of Strategic Initiatives for Upper Peninsula Health Plan in Marquette. In this episode, Brigitte talks about her experiences growing up in the UP on the KBIC reservation and how it influenced her values and her career, and the biggest issues currently facing the KBIC--in...

David Haynes sits down with Northern Michigan University alumni Nick Sizeland, Mitch Foster, and Brian Chapman to discuss their current roles as young leaders in three Michigan cities.  Nick Sizeland is currently the City Manager of Grosse Pointe Park, MI and graduated from NMU in 2016 with a Masters in Public Administration and undergraduate in Public Administration. Mitch Foster is currently the...

In this episode, David talks about technology and cybersecurity with Lois Ellis, Executive Director of the Dickinson Area Economic Development Alliance, Evan Rice, Vice President of Information Technology at CCI Systems, and Doug Miller from the Upper Peninsula Cybersecurity Institute.

David Haynes sits down with Marquette Mayor Jenna Smith and Marquette City Commissioner Cody Mayer to discuss the challenges currently faced by rural cities like Marquette, and what their thoughts are on where the future is headed for rural cities in the Upper Peninsula. Jenna Smith began serving on the Marquette City Commission in December 2017. She was born and raised in Marquette, and went on t...