College Borrowers Get Another 90 Days Loan Forbearance (Hope I Win the Lottery in the Mean Time!)

President Biden announces that student loan payments for 41 million borrowers will be paused with 0% interest until May 2022. You can read the White House Press Release HERE. That is something students and borrowers will likely cheer.....now maybe they can win the lottery and pay off the rest when its due (Disclaimer: Its probably not a good strategy.😏 No seriously, the odds are against you. You don't need to be the Rain Man to figure it out. "Definitely yes definitely." ).

Escanaba City Council Meeting: (December 16, 2021) Recreation, Democracy and Change

Democracy is about the ability to draw in the most amount of people into governance as possible and in turn build a strong base of support for national development that improves citizens lives. While there are often subsections of society that are more politically active (demographic) than others, the concept of inclusiveness in politics is what helps democracies grow as it pushes an entire governmental system to adjust and change to new ideas and leadership influence (We elect new people to ensure we update and change....there is no negative reflection on prior leadership because it is a necessary process that goes back to the beginning. The old create stability while the new bring forward fresh ideas. The U.S. had its very first town hall in Dorchester, Massachusetts, in 1633. You can read about democracy HERE.). Escanaba is one of those examples of democracy at work in our home towns and you can see it in action by watching the city council meetings! You may want to read the agenda for more clarity beyond the video Escanaba Agenda December 16th, 2021. (I kind of looked through the data at the comments. You got to read all of them...some are very interesting! Yikes! 😬....and no I didn't put any comments in there. 🙊)

Roosevelt's Four Freedoms of Speech
Norman Rockwell’s 1942
Freedom of Speech, Worship, Want, Fear

Escanaba is a rural community that is located on the shore of Lake Michigan in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The area played a key role in regional natural resource extraction that helped build the preindustrial era with lumber and then the industrial era with ore and metals (You can read the history of Escanaba HERE. Notice how positive interaction in history, first settler, and native Americans started something new. Just take a mental note...and later on we will discuss this in greater detail. That same "under current" might have occurred in other places and is intimately part of our past and likely our futures as new and old ideas blend based on idea exposure.). Escanaba, like many rural communities, is still on a path to finding its global footing but may receive increased market investment interest and grant opportunities in a way that aligns local jobs with global opportunities (ok...it could happen! Maybe...maybe not!🤷 A few things going on in terms of investments, social change, and national trends are signaling pending adjustments based on environmental challenges and local resources. However, its only one path of possibilities and not yet fully substantiated or realized. 🙆) 

For now...lets just look at some of the things going on in the area. I know its exciting times but hold your horses as time and reflection often lead to insight! (See Advice on Change)

Bay College Lease: Continue the lease for 4 more years and then a $6K for early 10 year early termination and changes to agreement (Was originally a 25 year lease.). Carving out some of the south end of the field for the daycare and YMCA. One option would be to terminate immediately the agreements on the field but that might ruffle some feathers. Soccer program would be a good thing to offer as its an attractive sport important globally/nationally (Del Mar went from polo to soccer a few years ago but it is what it is. 🐎⚽🏒!)

DNR Recreation Plan: A very nice presentation and PowerPoint within the Agenda. The recreation department indicates that people want more events but participation is sometimes small. Variety, access, lake front, free and inclusive recreation opportunities. What they hoped to change was off road bike paths, soft service trails (hiking), updated play grounds, splash pad, clean bathrooms. Volunteers is what makes things happen in this town (along with full time employees.).  

Fishery Grant: DNR working with Escanaba that can help in fishing but also fishing docks. Such grants increase not only tourism but the long term viability of the area in terms of Great Lakes fresh fish, fishing industry, and recreation (I'm still dreaming of my part-time commercial fishing business 😢). Some money will be used to improve the bike path which is also something of interest to a lot of people. Not a bad idea. It was also included into the waterfront recreation approach. (Escanaba Harbor)

Housing Variety: I'm going to agree that there is a need for seasonal, condo, apartment, etc... housing. I would seek to maximize those places located downtown and above the existing businesses. One reason why there should be a push for this areas is that it helps redevelop the the downtown and draws a younger demographic while still serving tourism and seasonal buyers. Selling the buildings to entrepreneurs (in area or likely out of area.) that want to micro build (especially if outdoor tourism oriented) toward selling on the global market would balance the need for tourism and export oriented small business that have higher likelihood of future growth. (Rebuilding Escanaba Downtown, SME Attract, Start Up Delta, Full Bloom Delta)

As a side note: Some of these members and the mayor are new to the council. You can see a hint at the positive transition occurring from meeting to meeting in terms of coordination and ground rules. They seem to be in the Storming and Norming stages and with further adjustment might eventually be in the Performing stage where higher levels of team outcomes are actualized. (See  Psychologist/Professor/Researcher Bruce Tuckman's Stages. You may also be interested in reaching about Internal-External Strategy and Schumpeter.)

What Are the Motivations of Online Students? Survey Answers

A survey by Wiley Education Services polled 15,000 fully online learners to find out what were some of their motivations for taking online courses. You can read the actual survey HERE. While the study was conducted in 2020 it is important to remember that it was also the year the Pandemic was in full swing. It didn't seem like it matter much in the survey but there were shifts in the online-ground based educational system during this time. Online will becoming increasingly likely (See Colleges that Won't Make it 2020, Changing College Needs, COVID Changes, Higher Ed. Reform, Online Ed. Earns Place, and State Budgets.) 

Surveys like this help in understand how to improve on the educational system. This survey is focused on things that are important to learners such as reputation, price, speed, etc... What you also find is that the vast majority of people think online education is the same or better. Furthermore, the survey provides other insight such as where they learn about schools (employers, online searches, etc..) as well as what devices they use. 

For those in the higher education field knowing your customers is important and conducting research of executives, students, etc... can create a broad understanding of how to push online education to newer heights. Just as a quick example, if you know what executives seek, understand industry trends, the changing skills needed, technological development paths, cost-value position, etc....you might know a lot that can help you make a strategic decision.

A couple of key highlight points:

-70% of colleges and universities expect to start one to four new online undergraduate programs in the next few years.

-More than half of students cite affordability/cost as their most important factor in selecting a college

-Reputation of the university is very important.

-Transfer credits are important to students.

Reach the Report (CLICK HERE)

Are There Methods of Turning Group Hate from Exclusive to Inclusive?

We have experienced in recent times growth in extremism that cuts across the civilian population and into the ranks of some officials. Watching such behaviors in real time can often lead us to different types of conclusions but not necessarily the one's that end in a beneficial outcome. While in the situation below we might be looking at what appears to be a single phenomenon we also mustn't ignore the similarities of this situation with others experienced across the country (In terms of mental health and destructive behaviors.). Gaining a grasp on how quickly false information can spread and radicalize preexisting bias to act without conscious is concerning; whether in the capital or in our hometowns.

Extremism within Local Groups

Thus far in the situation in which I am familiar we have a group of people (core group leadership) who sought to gain financially and socially by exploiting hate through their social connections (including those in law enforcement) to remove a family from "their town". It wasn't as though that family did anything wrong but they did put up a red line when it came to patterned intentionally rude, destructive and potentially illegal behaviors (I doubt these members will ever see themselves as doing anything wrong. Sadism sanctioned by social "immunity".). 

That ability to tell this group "no" in a town where most of their peers have become accustomed to a distorted pecking order within their ex sport playing culture (set 30+ years ago in highschool) seemed to throw the "leadership" off guard. While it may be normal to implement boundaries when mental health turns aggressive it isn't normal to have to deal with a larger group of mediocre ex sports payers you don't have an issue with (including at least one if not more stalking law enforcement officers.) To maintain control and "teach a lesson" they targeted one of the kids and started a smear campaign to radicalize their followers to engage in intimidation tactics (...which mirrors what we might find in less developed nations.)

Most of these group members are good people and without prompting would not have acted (Most likely didn't act but some were all too willing to take extra steps. The question is, "Why are you involved in any way?" Reluctantly, you might hear we wanted to help one of "our own"....but then fall short on facts). Those that did act are supported through their social networks by silent agreement/disagreement and/or blind support of the perpetrators (See research on polarized and hyperconnected social networks acceptance of false information to create cascades on twitter, 'News Sharing, Persuasion, and Spread of Misinformation on Social Networks'. (Hsu, Ajorlou & Jadbabaie, 2020). In this case the group utilized Facebook but the process is likely similar and with factors as other social media mechanisms.  Some of those members know their social group were acting immorally and illegally but were silenced through fear (We saw this happen in Nazi Germany were people who disagreed went silent through a culture of fear. One by one they fell. Imagine if you were the one in the crowd who disagreed, didn't think Jews were at fault for Germany's problems, and voiced your opinion! Yikes! 😬)

Levels of Accountability (Silent to Involved):

There are at least four different things going on here 1.) the initial group 2.) the corrupt law enforcement officer(s), 3.) the extremists within the mediocre sports group and 4.) the immaturity of the larger sports culture. What should happen isn't an easy call because doing nothing when behaviors were grotesque would be inappropriate while at the same time locking people up and throwing away the key might be counter to what a long term resolution would look like.

While I might be able to go into particular depth on each of these concepts I believe that each person should be judged on their merit. To do that it is helpful to take into account their prior socialization, mental health issues, criminality, pecking order, etc... While they acted in a group there was a level of individual responsibility of each of the members who should "own" their behaviors. Even when crimes were being committed it looks like most stayed silent (Indication of powerlessness and diluted  sense of shared responsibility).

Beyond accountability for the most egregious offenders I would say an awareness of the group of how they were manipulated (critical thinking skills), correcting of false information (especially that designed to damage and encourage violence against the intended targets), how mental health can impact people's behaviors, and more awareness of pro-American values of inclusion (I'm not sure where their values came from but they are antithetical to the values of most of American society; save the radicals).

The Bigger Picture-Exclusion to Inclusion:

I think it will be hard to change people who are exclusive to inclusive as they have been socialized for a long time to view themselves as superior to people who they view different than themselves (They have the blueprint of an organization run by a narcissist managed through comparisons, shallow values, self-seeking behaviors and conflict. Groups become extensions of hate when individual members are not empowered to stand for central values as codified by a wider society. See Braun,2017.). This was not a normal situation it was more of a Stephen King type creepy novel. Our system was not designed to accurately understand and deal with local extremism and therefore it was hard for authorities to recognize the behaviors quickly (Why mental health and research can lead to solutions. See Michigan Coding and Solving Hate Crimes). 

“Half the harm that is done in this world is due to people who want to feel important. They don't mean to do harm, but the harm does not interest them. Or they do not see it, or they justify it because they are absorbed in the endless struggle to think well of themselves.”

— T. S. Eliot, The Cocktail Party (1949).

Furthermore, there are members of law enforcement who lack accountability for mischievous behaviors so even after they went rogue there wasn't enough mechanisms in place to hold them to account (Redesigning the system to support good officers and remove bad ones could be helpful. Could we really trust rogue officers to be honest and work in the best interest of society and the laws? Think about it. Mistakes can be trained but a criminal mindset must be removed. The wisest approach we can take is to maintain the integrity of our law enforcement institutions. I support good officers and institutional integrity. As soon as a few bad apples act without account it creates wider problems in society. Its short versus long term thinking.). Likewise, much of the behaviors were intentional and masked indicating it wasn't the first time they have circumvented the law in a coordinated way to avoid detection (Opening a question of other victims.)

How does one get those who hate to respect the value inherent in their fellow Americans? Mob supporters acted blindly with no conception of right or wrong and no actual justification for the behaviors (If you ask them they would say my children and I are pretty friendly but they heard from so and so......) but on the commands and misinformation of their "leadership". How does one reform such ignorance when it spreads intentionally to others (including some employers and businesses) who now feel morally justified to further their discriminatory viewpoints despite the nagging of a higher moral conscious (The risks and consequences are transferred to the targets who must then deal with the issue over and over in its more microaggressive form. The only difference this time is that I feel there is a duty and a bigger American purpose to ensure we don't regress in our local-national development or make the turn towards what Germany did prior to WWII. )?

Hate is a disease growing in our communities (not everyone but a group of motivated followers paralleling what we might find in some poor radical villages overseas) and will need serious action by our lawmakers and administrators to solve adequately. Extremism exists within hyper politics that gives such people "the right" to act with social blessing and lack of local enforcement. Truth is.....likely my family and I will continue to be targets when and if the economy takes a downturn, another lockdown, lost election, divorce, financial problems, etc.... as it is all projection that has nothing to do with our behavior but to do with "perceptions" of worth! . False judgements, comparisons and appraisals "are targeted at the hate target itself, rather than at specific actions carried out by that target" (Ortony, Clore, & Collins, 1988).The sad thing is what they think they are targeting me for is a reflection of who they are....and I'm am the opposite of what they perceive me to be in their socially constructed reality. We just needed to enlighten the situation with a brighter lamp to see the details....in this case torch 🗽.  See Through the Looking Glass, Darkly: Perceptions of Hate in Interpersonal Relationships (Aumer, 2015).

(Like in Gestalt psychology the perpetrators filled in all the blanks of information they didn't know or understand thereby revealing much about their latent thought processes. In this situation the group's members devalued me and my children....yet on a overall factual comparison I'm not seeing why they feel so superior. They don't have enough information for an accurate judgement. I have lots of flaws but I know what they are...I'm not sure they have a clue of their more serious issues 😲 A famous philosopher and religious figure once stated, "first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye" . Lack of accountability often leads to feeling that harming the targets is justified. Here is an interesting study on devaluating and hate. When you read this report don't get hung up on the examples it is any race, religion, or group who devalues others. 'Why we Hate' Fischer, et. al 2018 ).

Where do we go from here? It is up to each of us to decide what is in the best interest of everyone involved and the generations after us. If our American values and Constitution will be our primary directive or if "other" sources of power/authority can carve out through unlegislated and unwritten laws/"rules". While I view myself as a single father trying to buy groceries I'm sure they view me as something different. I suspect the essential rub is the image of who is "an American"?  I have already decided (Its an internal value not associated with color, religion, ethnicity. Meaning a more enlightened society that can enlighten other nations as a beacon of fair treatment and opportunity for the diligent.). While it might sound "radical" to you....it doesn't to me! 💕 One foot in front of the other. 👣

Aumer, K. (2015). Through the Looking Glass, Darkly: Perceptions of Hate in Interpersonal Relationships. Journal of Relationships Research 6 DOI:10.1017/jrr.2014.14

Braun S. (2017). Leader Narcissism and Outcomes in Organizations: A Review at Multiple Levels of Analysis and Implications for Future Research. Frontiers in psychology, 8, 773. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00773

Fischer, A., et. al. (2018). Why we Hate. Emotion Review, 10 (4). Retrieved December 15th, 2021 https://bcsh.bard.edu/files/2019/06/Why-We-Hate.pdf

Hsu, Chin-Chia and Ajorlou, Amir and Jadbabaie, Ali, News Sharing, Persuasion, and Spread of Misinformation on Social Networks (July 1, 2020). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3391585 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3391585

Ortony, A., Clore, G. L., & Collins, A. (1988). The cognitive structure of emotions. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press

Federal Chair Jerome Powell Reduces Fiscal Support for Economy(12-15-21) Digital Transformation Coming?

Federal Chair Jerome Powell discusses forward guidance of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) that is responsible for open market decisions who indicated a need to taper inflation (See description of FOMC). He provides an assessment of positive economic news in terms of labor, opening of economy, and aggregate demand. The assessment includes healthy outlook of business prospects in the near term. Higher GDP growth, low unemployment, and other positive indicators prompted the Federal Reserve to begin reducing financial support for the economy. There is also a market opportunity that has opened up....

Real GDP growth for the U.S. is expected to be 5.5% in 2021 and 4% in 2022. Its not a bad number and certainly could be correct but could also be influenced by digital adaptations of the Digital Economy that is not yet well understood on a Federal level yet. (Sometimes its beneficial look at trends of the two largest world economies such as China and the U.S.. You can review December 15th, 2021 Q3 China GDP Stats HERE. You can also get a glimpse of a strategy by reviewing China's increase in research and experimental expenditures 10.2% HERE. The U.S. is likewise making a strategic push by developing new infrastructure, COVID digital adjustments, return manufacturing to the US, and similar R&D expenditures. You can read an October 4th, 2021 congressional report on the nature of research in the U.S. and how much is business, university, federal, etc... Congressional Research, 2021 ). 

According to IDC, a provider of market intelligence projects, between 2022-24 more than half the global economy will be influenced by digital in some way, digital investments were 40% higher than two years ago ($6.3 trillion) and one in two companies will receive 40% of their income from digital projects and services (IDC, October, 2021). Such reports seem to indicate that fundamental way in which we conduct business (and the basics of transactions between entities is changing beyond traditional economic assumptions) is adjusting to new technology and such methods will become increasingly a  priority to the U.S. Thus, all numbers should be seen in imperfect benchmarks of international comparison and in turn the very definition of economic activity from a metric level may change (...likely to new future benchmarks through big data.).

The  U.S. experienced one of the largest growths in e-commerce (33.9%) in 2020 while the global economy experienced a 27.6% of e-commerce expansion over the same year. (Ti-Insight, 2021). You will also notice with the IMF report (Granted they are using data from 2019) that the most advanced nations have the most Internet users 80+% (IMF, October, 2021, Fig. 1.22) and as the market reaches saturation it will likely be more focused beyond new Internet sign ups. That shift will likely lay on bandwidth, security of data (new storage and dispersion methods), and advanced robotic/distribution methods that will increase production, delivery and innovation (Maybe an important marker of moving into an advanced digital age with new manufacturing capabilities; among other changes as a platform shift.)

T-Insight
You can see the U.S. as a top E-commerce
market in 2020

We can find some justification for this digital transformation from a CISCO Whitepaper that discusses increases in global Internet usage (66% of world population), increased bandwidth (more than doubled), and unfortunately more stolen records ( 776%%) highlighting security adjustments (Cisco Annual Report, 2020).  The trends toward greater integration of digital technologies with our physical world is becoming an increasing trend and the pandemic pushed it faster thereby putting pressure on American institutions to adapt more quickly (Stability can be maintained by focusing on integrity and transparency in institutional changes.). 

That can be a good thing for countries like the U.S. who instead of being swallowed up by the pandemic found a way to increase competitiveness and regain some lost ground. As the nation ponders infrastructure one should consider how investment in distribution and fulfilment can lead to increased venture and foreign capital investments (Lincoln International, 2021). Using our resources wisely today to build an export oriented infrastructure that complements an advanced digital nation will likely change the U.S. trajectory into something more positive (It could have went the other way but we were already beginning the transition and both presidents took reasonable steps that for the most part worked out on an economic level.) That network can be used to make the U.S. not only the most effective place to start businesses but also a place where new ideas meet advanced capabilities that leads to higher investment ROI. 

You can see some of the potential platform changes in a graph Digital Era/Information Age (See Sociological-Economic Platforms) 

(Disclaimer: These are only ideas based on a transactional theory that has been developing over the past 12+ years. It seeks to understand digital development through human adaptation that leads to innovation. Because theory constantly seeks to be tweaked one should make their own assumptions and do their own mental analysis. They are just ideas...so no claim to their accuracy other than to say they seem "in the ball park". Time will tell. If not...I learned some new things anyway. 🤷 For example, you an look at some Michigan's EV industry to see how some changes might occur. HERE or changes in how to power like industries HERE.)

'

Congressional Research (Oct. 4th, 2021) U.S. Research and Development Funding and Performance: Fact Sheet. Retrieved 12-17-21 from https://sgp.fas.org/crs/misc/R44307.pdf

Cisco (March 9th, 2020). Cisco Annual Internet Report (2018–2023) White Paper. Retrieved December 16th, 2021 https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/collateral/executive-perspectives/annual-internet-report/white-paper-c11-741490.html

IDC (October, 2021). Digital Transformation Investments to Represent More Than Half of All ICT Investment by 2024, According to IDC FutureScape. Retrieved December 16th, 2021 from https://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=prUS48333121

IMF (November, 2021, Fig. 1.22). World Economic Outlook [Figure 1.22, Internet Access Around the World]

Lincoln International (August 2021). E-commerce, Sustainability and Digital Capabilities Drive Consolidation. Retrieved 12-1721 from https://www.lincolninternational.com/perspectives/articles/e-commerce-sustainability-and-digital-capabilities-drive-consolidation/

Ti-Insight ( Sept. 30th, 2021). The world’s fastest growing e-commerce logistics market. Retrieved December 16th, 2021 from https://www.ti-insight.com/briefs/fastest-growing-e-commerce-logistics-market/

Happy 185 Birthday Upper Peninsula of Michigan-Frostbitten Convention 1836

TV6

The hardy people from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan are used to the cold, the wild, and small communities. Prior to the Internet (I know the young might not remember) people had to travel with their cars to visit friends and relatives. Prior to the car (which I don't remember) many farmed, hunted, trapped and didn't go beyond 30 miles from their home. You had to be hardy to live in an area like this (Think Alaska and Siberia!) 

Today is the Upper Peninsula of Michigan's 185th bday and we Yoopers are still around to celebrate the Frostbitten Convention of 1836 (I done cleaning my driveway out of 13 inches of snow a few days ago so I guess I can celebrate! ❄️). Maggie Duly from Fox TV 6 put together a celebratory article Happy Birthday, Upper Peninsula! U.P. turns 185 on Tuesday

Could Michigan be the Place for EV Investments and Export Infrastructure?

Michigan is one of those states where opportunities to invest, build and "frolic" are available in abundance. Michigan isn't just a beautiful outdoor tourism state (the Upper Peninsula is a great place to visit) it is also becoming a "hot spot" for EV investment. The political climate of Michigan seems to be shifting toward collaboration in the post-Covid world and it would seem there is increased focus on building a cutting edge industry so as to secure economic vitality for the foreseeable future (Once your the branded as the primary place for certain industries they stick to those regions for a long time.). GM investments are one sign of renewed effort and hopefully we will see other advanced auto manufacturers following suit once a proper infrastructure plan is created. That will also require some form of marketing opportunities to industry stakeholders (....and other industries that will benefit from that infrastructure. See Pure Michigan, Marketing Databases, Attracting SME, Branding Cities and Clusters,  ).

The article GM eyes investments of more than $4 billion in Michigan EV plants that includes two Michigan locations(It costs $1 to $2 Billion to start an EV plant). Plant 1: $2.5 billion battery facility near Lansing in partnership with LG Energy Solution (051910.KS) and Plant #2 another $2 billion build in Orion Township to produce electric trucks. You can read more about other types of car investments in Michigan in Whitmer's GM Announcement.  Michigan Economic Development also put together some state auto statistics. To move into more depth on the topice it is often beneficial to look at industry reports such as 'The State of US Automotive Industry' and 'Exploring the Mobility & Automotive Industry Cluster'.

When I checked Ford's site I noticed increases in EV efforts but didn't see many announcements specifically focused on Michigan (According to some recent announcements they have decided to invest outside of Michigan indicating that the strategy shift appears to be true. There are ways to avoid this in the future. If the State of MI invests in hard infrastructure in conjunction with major manufacturers and suppliers they might become one of the most cost-value effective places to invest; regardless of reasonable tax rates. See $18.5 Billion MI Christmas Think about how shipping, resources, labor, etc....included in clusters and how the availability of such factors/resources influence the cost of conducting business. Tax rate is subjective based on the benefits the cluster offers in terms of rapid innovation and the infrastructure that allows for the shortest lead time between prototype and full production; not to mention decreased costs and improved access to resources. Ford trying to recreate much of that in a new location would seem short and mid term counterintuitive. Not sure on the strategy. It could work in the long run but the benefits aren't as likely to be realized as those who utilize new advanced infrastructure and have access to resources needed by shifting industries to quickly adapt and grow. In other words, there are also long term risks for Ford that is dependent in part on what MI does. Better to hedge with other industries to improve the export oriented structures that can push an industry to global leadership; in our case reclaim. See Systems Thinking, Industry Game Theory,  Cross Structure Synergy, Institutional Investors Cluster Stages, Economic Platforms, Perpetual Sustainable Development and American Semiconductor Cluster. I have been working on a theory and wrapping it back into itself to ensure it helps explain potential phenomenon as well as maintain an internally consistent logic. The model is just used to help explain the bigger phenomenon. Its just an idea...so its up to each person to determine its merit. Theory of Transactional Clusters. Its just a theory so and a Delta County Model) 

Where the industry development magic really happens during ground breaking innovation is in situations where companies like Ford, GM, Fiat Chrysler, Toyota, etc... work in collaboration and competition within a similar larger system where resources and ideas spill over from one to the other. It is those shared competencies and resources that expand homegrown supply chains, educational competencies, advanced design engineering, tertiary industries, etc... Success in one industry often changes the technology available for other industries who then seek their own production contracts in locations that minimize their risks and increase their likelihood of success. 

The basic auto and manufacturing infrastructure currently exists in Michigan and seeing the the benefits of localized pack investing often leads to larger outcomes beyond the initial investments. The state can still recover by working with GM to attract other car manufacturers, suppliers, similar tech firms and long term EV investments that can build off of prior infrastructure systems (I looked around for some resources and found MICHauto Investment that talks about retaining the auto industry in Michigan. Some more information on Drive Electric Week.)

Furthermore a quick review of a couple of car companies/suppliers show there is increased investments by auto manufacturers in the general Great Lakes region (Someone would have to run the official numbers and do an actual formal analysis to determine what areas, products and extent.). That could be an indication of larger ramping of up of next generation transport and aerospace technology produced in Michigan and wider Great Lakes region (Michigan should develop a plan to rejuvenate the state through innovation, small-business/start-ups, advanced manufacturing, investments and tourism.). 

If true that significant resources are making their way to the area it could be indicative of industries starting to adapt to a national trend into the Digital Era/Information Age. A strong EV auto and space industry matched with an export oriented infrastructure investments could create butterfly sparks into other industries. (See Delta County Multi Industries and Butterfly Effect Innovation).. (Maybe or maybe not? It depends on choices, political capital, investment climate, etc....lots of different factors involved.) The point being if we believe we have a chance to return manufacturing to Michigan (US) on the cusp of digital technology changes, then participating industries could ride the upswing in renaissance type innovations. Whether or not we "frolic" through the fields of opportunity is highly dependent on our choices today at a time when many industries are shifting toward emerging markets (Which will determine in part whether the U.S. will lead or follow).