Michigan Has $18.5 Billion Coming-Lets Do Something Beyond Buying Christmas Presents! (Delta County Innovation Model)

Michigan is receiving $8.5 billion Covid Money and $10 billion or so from the Federal Infrastructure Bill. That is a whopping amount of money! What we should do with that money is highly depending on where we want to go and I'm sure there are lots of people out there that want to have a field day with that money. Putting more Christmas presents under the tree might not be the best use of the money if that spending has limited long term impact. 

What kind of presents
should we put
under Michigan's tree?

I have a couple of ideas on where I think some of that money should go and how that might help create a solid model of future prosperity (Trying to find a Christmas present that keeps on giving. Its kind of like giving a nice ham/turkey/lamb for Christmas which helps a starving family one day or giving someone tools, knowledge, and a job to help them feed their family everyday. Not that there is anything wrong with helping on immediate needs but long term plans are highly beneficial). Not that its a perfect model, or even a finished model, but that it may be one in which once successfully created and implemented could lead to reapplying in other areas.

I advocate for use of the money to develop hard infrastructure that leads to the fundaments that attracting more business. All of that is important for long term health. Putting that money into net positive returns can be helpful for state coffers.

For some time I have been working on a innovative transactional theory to help build a stronger society and have used Delta County Michigan as a focal point because of its unique characteristics (See innovative transactional cluster theory). Its semi isolated and many of the ideas and concepts could be observed developing in real time because of its smaller size. Large enough for some variability in industry but small enough to connect them to together into a shared brand.

Delta County has advantages that include infrastructure, a couple of anchor business, tourism possibilities, outdoor recreation, green living, small-medium town aesthetics and a skilled workforce. One thing that sets them apart is that the community supports each other (save a few selfish individuals) and have an active stake in each other's lives.

However, not much attention has been placed on the city and a little money in the right place could be used to attract businesses and ensure that the model could be applied and used in other places. While our economy is doing well today it doesn't mean that it will do well in a few years so we should think of long-term growth with this money. Trying out something new may not only be helpful but necessary. 

The Detroit Free Press put together a great article by Dave Boucher discussing how some of our officials want the money spent. Whitmer, Michigan lawmakers must agree on how to spend billions in federal aid

I understand its Christmas time but lets do something that could positively impact the nation for the next 50+ years and help to put our country on the path to a leading nation (assuming we can keep our politicians from splitting it.)!!! That will require more than just slamming our hands down and demanding our way louder and louder and louder. It requires a level of foresight and leadership that says, "Hey, if we can make it work here we can make it work in other places within the state...maybe the nation."

Possible answers usually start with a question!

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