Ocean Beach Pier

There are times when you can take a shot and ponder our environment. 

Rural Connectivity Advisory Committee for the U.P.

The U.P. has great potential not only as a tourist destination but also as host to advanced manufacturing and technology as it relates to robotics, space, and military applications. The Internet is what will power the next economy and its important to get the U.P. "connected". Future jobs and opportunities will come from our ability to accept and adapt to market shifts that lean in the direction of blooming Digital GDP.  Having a committee to look at these issues is vitally important for understanding where the U.P. current is and where it needs to be in finding its position in the digital economy (See Digital GDP Growth).

You may also want to see how society develops (See Societal Economic Development)  and how science can increase local development (SME and Neuro-Economics and Firm Linking) and human capital (Human Capital FDI). 

Firm Linking

Skills and Technology Investing

The following was taken from a press release. 

For Immediate Release April 6, 2021 Contact: James Hogge 231-944-7633

Bergman Forms Rural Connectivity Advisory Committee   Washington – Today, Rep. Jack Bergman announced the formation of the Rural Connectivity Advisory Committee for Michigan’s First District. The Committee will serve as a forum where Rep. Bergman, internet service providers, local and tribal leaders, and stakeholder groups can share ideas, opportunities, and solutions in the fight to address the critical lack of connectivity in Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. Rep. Bergman noted, "In Michigan’s First District, far too many of us struggle to secure a reliable online connection in our homes and businesses – an issue which the pandemic has only highlighted. During my time in Congress, I’ve worked to advance a wide range of solutions for rural and remote communities because there is no silver bullet when it comes to bridging the digital divide to share in the 21st Century economy. I’m looking forward to bringing this committee together to discuss solutions and take advantage of opportunities to expand connectivity.” Some key goals of the Committee include: Identifying underlying issues behind the lack of connectivity in Michigan’s First District; Exploring actionable solutions to bridge the digital divide in Michigan’s rural communities; Seeking coordination among federal, state, local, tribal, and private partners; Informing members and constituents of ongoing efforts and available resources; and Hearing from relevant government officials involved in broadband programs. Connectivity and access to broadband is a top priority for Michigan’s First District, and that’s why Rep. Bergman has taken action: Achieving federal funds for rural broadband infrastructure buildouts through Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs. Most recently, COVID-19 relief legislation signed into law will provide more than $7 billion in broadband-related funding. Coordinating closely with constituents, providers, and stakeholders to help communities become more connected. Rep. Bergman has proudly supported grant and loan applications to reach unserved and underserved households in Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. Introducing new legislation like the Rural Broadband Window of Opportunity Act to level the playing field for broadband expansion in Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula in the FCC’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund.

Manufacturing PMI Jumps to 64.7%-Great Lakes Industries May Need New Shipping Infrastructure

Manufacturing PMI reached a towering height of 64.7% well above what would be considered exceptional (@55%). Production also spiked by 4.9 points and new orders leapt forward 3.2 points. This pick up of activity in 17 of 18 industries indicates a broader speeding up of the economy. The highest PMI since December 1983 matched with current job growth of (BLS.Gov) how new orders, increased manufacturing activity, and employment are pointing to wide reaching changes in the market. Those changes could indicate fundamental shifts on the way in which the economy will operated.

What we would like to see is the entire economic system make an upswing into the digital world where it will function on a higher economic-sociological platform. Such an economic transition would include increased advanced technologies that would result in radically new products and more efficient processes. We will become globally aware through big data and that will help us run real time statistics for countries. Our world will be seen more from a global perspective (See Global Perspective) versus the limitations of local perspective. 

Sometimes its helpful to move beyond textbook to industry experts. A strong article entitled The Economy Continues To Gain Strength In 12 Charts by Chuck Jones on the multifold economic indicators that are putting lift into economic activity across a broad spectrum of society. 

We can see the signs in the technology innovative underbelly that shows increased activities in 5 G, advanced manufacturing strategies, virtual business models, labor market shifts, advanced robotics, semi conductors, electric cars, alternative energies and new industries that spark from innovation of science and technology (See Information Age Economic Platform). 

Continued growth will rest on infrastructure and the efficiency (cost effectiveness) of moving supplies and products around the region but also into the international world (See Adaptive Supply Chains). In the U.S. we have outsourced much of our manufacturing and have allowed our infrastructure to start a process of physical depreciation . Implementing strategic distribution centers (i.e. Delta County MI) with product value additives can make a big difference long term growth where nimbleness and costs are important.

Delta County is strategically located on the Great Lakes between multiple manufacturing centers, new military/space activities, and near US/Canada border where. Delta County County could act as a regional transport juncture for various industries in the Greatlakes that seek to export products and import supplies. The county has been under developed but should be considered as a distribution center for some of the $718.4 billion in 2019 between U.S. and Canada(US Trade) as well as impacts $6 Trillion GDP (Seaway Partnership)(See Great Lakes Shipping and Exports). 

With a sense of direction we can turn the chaos from the Pandemic into something that rejuvenates America's spirit in the face of growing international competition. We are not just a country of businesses but a country that seeks to increase freedoms and opportunities to a diverse group of stakeholders. Ensuring that we have the most competitive infrastructure that leads to further advanced adaptation can lead to environmental mastery and heighted digital GDP Growth (See Digital GDP Recovery). 

Part of a larger work on innovative economic post-covid clusters (See Post-Covid Cluster Theory).

Jones, C. (March 31s, 2021) The Economy Continues To Gain Strength In 12 Charts Retrieved https://www.forbes.com/sites/chuckjones/2021/03/31/the-economy-continues-to-gain-strength-in-12-charts/?sh=21955cb51abf

Institution of Supply Change Management Press Release

Unprovoked Attack on Elderly Woman: Need New Tactics

We must consider that these behaviors are driven by deep seated psychological distortions and such aggressions won't stop without better policies. Understanding and tracking these behaviors on a local level can make a difference researching behaviors through better reporting and tracking (Track and Solve Strategy).  

IMF Indicates Faster Growth for US and China: Leaving Some Markets Behind

IMF states that US and China will power international growth but some countries will be left behind. Emerging markets may not have the capital to power out of the pandemic. That might leave two large countries growing as emerging markets try and find an escape hatch. We may find new challenges come to true light as countries power back up to a competitive status.

I wonder how some of these changes will impact the supply chain networks of the US and China? 🤔 Companies seek resources and if the two countries (US and China) are creating contracts it will impact the global flow of information and resources. That means there could be some reorientation of supplier networks. 

  

Should North American Companies Shorten Their Supply Chains After Suez Canal Blockage?

When problems companies that will be around in the future adapt and adjust. Incidents like the blocking the Suez Canal create risks for companies that rely on those products to keep operations going. We also cannot ignore the geopolitical pressures that are in play from COVID, global warming and US manufacturing reemergence. Conducting an environmental scan can help to determine risks to U.S. companies and why they may want to rebalance their supply chains to include a certain percentage from the U.S./Canada and Mexico. Read Environmental Scan

Statistically every supply chain will have a disruption at some point. Yet this incident perked the ears of the U.S. business community that may want to adjust their supply chain strategies. The ship will likely be dislodged in the coming days but the incident does perk ears in terms of long-term risks of supply chain disruption in the U.S. and abroad. If your company relies on imports and you have a 2-3 week delay 1.) Is there local capacity to fill the gap? 2.) Can your business eat the cost?  

Manufacturers need secure supply chains that could be fostered through more local suppliers. Read what Captain Andrew Kinsey states about supply chain disruptions to manufacturers HERE. Shorter supply chains could also mean opportunities to develop more efficient supply chains by considering the merits of a distribution hub in Delta County Michigan.  You can rea d about the possible economic benefits of developing the Great Lakes manufacturing base through infrastructure enhancements Delta County Export Infrastructure

Colorado Shooter Highlights Mental Health Aspects of Hate Based Violence

Hate and rage comes from a deep dark place where chronic pain and emptiness lead people to act in destructive ways. When horrific things like this happen we often look desperately for some sense of an explanation. Those causes are likely many but at the root seems to stem from the same mental health issues. As our science advances we are likely going to find better ways of dealing with mental health problems and help people before such atrocities occur. 

At the moment we are left with gaps in our understanding on how to handle and manage hate driven violence. It makes no difference what race, religion, ethnic, etc... of the perpetrator as the damage is felt in different communities. An investigation will help determine motive and whether it was a hate based crime and/or something else (...personally I'm seeing this as having another root cause🤷).  

What we do know already is that there were prior mental health issues and a bent towards the use of violence to solve problems. The intent to commit violence is based in the pre-frontal cortex activities. It is possible to stimulate the prefrontal cortex to limit violent tendencies. (HERE). Thus the problem may be psychological and/or biological determinants that can be explored. 

What we may end up seeing is that early intervention is important. Once someone is in contact with the criminal justice system we need the mechanisms to assess mental health issues and find referrals out to people who can help them. Perhaps we can avoid future violence through proper coding, research and intervention. You can see an idea I thought of for Michigan....Counseling and Coding Hate Crimes

Border Crisis Problem? Maybe Our Foreign Policy Should be Directed More Toward Orphans.

Children are piling up on the boarder and we need to decide how to handle the crisis. We will want to be empathetic to these children and their plight in a way that maintains the natural boundaries between two countries. Finding a solution might be difficult because each option has hits own pitfalls. However, we might want to explore helping the children in Mexico through the use of orphanages and child centered foreign policy initiatives. 

Within 60 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border are numerous orphanages that would appreciate additional financial, academic and medical support (Even better if corporations sponsored some of the needs. Escanaba Polo Mallet Company donates some of its start up profits to help these orphans.). We may consider funding these orphanages and expanding their capacities to help children abandoned with the goal of reuniting with parents. Such children will have access to education and healthcare from caring staff instead of a chain link fence and border guard. 

Of course there would need to be some initiative in registering this children for tracking purposes and ensuring parents know where/who to contact to have someone to search the database for their children. Reuniting them with their families and supporting them through foreign policies that improve upon the U.S. brand and further our global initiatives is important (...not to mention developing business partnerships with Mexico that bring supply chains back from Asia and help these orphans with future jobs. I once thought of an idea to bring U.S. companies to help sponsor primary and online college education of orphanages to groom them to be managers for U.S. companies in Mexico.🤔)

I'm not saying it is the only solution, but that is is one option we can explore for its legal, ethic, and moral dynamics. As a nation we may want to focus our attention and efforts more on children then other non-essential desires of foreign aid recipients. The money goes a long way in helping these children and build good will initiatives that warm relationships in a way that is mutually beneficial for both countries.

Many of these orphanages are self-funded through private donations and are always looking for more help. While the ones I have visited do an excellent job with minimal resources they are almost always stretched thin. Funded through private donations, they are at the fluctuations of good will versus having a stable funding source. One U.S. Nonprofit that helps Mexican orphanages is.....

Corozon de Vida at https://www.corazondevida.org/

We can't say whether government will come up with a solution soon but we do know we will need to do something. It would make sense to invest in Mexico's orphanages for spill over benefits. Lots of children will be separated from their parents and helping Mexico handle this crisis is important. Just a sliver of our budget might make a big difference in the lives of these kids ($$ Stats by Country)

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Fed Chair Jerome Powell Testify Before House Financial Services Committee

Fed Chair Jerome Powell and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen testify before the House Financial Services Committee. You can read her statement HERE. Notice she said the Treasury is tasked with increasing small business and entrepreneurship. Helping micro-businesses and entrepreneurs in rural communities. 😊

Louisville Kentucky Bridges Photo

 Louisville Kentucky. Just outside Joes Crab Shack.