Escanaba City Council Meeting (Oct. 19th, 2023) Chicken & Ducks, Water, Retirement and Global Investment Portfolios!

 Escanaba is one of those towns that recently has within the past year or so emerged on the global market and has received significant investment in its paper mill (Billerud) as well as infrastructure upgrades. There are other opportunities as well. As you will notice from the city council meeting they are also using grants to improve their water safety and making lots of changes that are leading to a town that has turned from slowly declining to growing and attracting international interest. As with new changes come the pondering of big things that relate to how to attract additional industrial investment all the way over to whether chickens or ducks should be allowed within city limits. This is where the old and the new come together to create something new like a smart city located on the Great Lakes in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. (Map of Esky)

The kids will probably like the chickens and ducks 🦆🐤 😜 (Babies, Chickens and Ducks). The adults may be more interested in making sure they have good paying jobs when they grow up. See below.....

Global Investor Needs:

56% of corporate investors are changing up their portfolio that might give towns like Escanaba & Gladstone new opportunities. 31% are actively rethinking their market which means small towns with unique attributes that can provide solid infrastructure, a unique environment that is conducive to creativity and employee retention, as well as easy access are important. With geopolitical concerns places within the U.S. near Canada might have greater appeal for 74% of investors seeking safe stable locations. One may also ponder that 83% of investors consider climate change as well as 74% consider environmental and social impact. 45% believe impact investing is important and let me say they could transform this town with a few solid large investments into something the global market hasn't yet seen. In other words they, could potentially cocreate an environment that is good for people and good for business. Read the interactive portfolio and consider what this location may be offering and how it could direct some of its focus toward attracting these types of investors. 2023 Global Institution Investor Survey

Question: What kind of attributes would likely attract industrial investors to Escanaba?

Static and Variable Local Attributes:

When investing in a city consider static and variable factors. Static factors are those like natural resources and variable are things that we humans create.  Geography type issues such as a port city, strategic location within the U.P., and natural resources are static. The good schools, infrastructure, high speed internet, water infrastructure, open minded city council, schools, quality of life, skilled workforce, local skilled trade college, etc. are more variable. Escanaba has benefits in both of these arenas. City Attractiveness for Investment (2015).

Question: How does static and variable attributes work together to create a unique market offering?

A Few Unvetted Opportunities:

Areas of opportunity might include maximizing natural resources such as water front access, outdoor recreational tourism, small business tourism supporting export entrepreneurs downtown, relative flat land with industrial sites, zoning improvements, etc. They have done a good job with recreation, bands, attracting new hotels, and tourist ships. Custom ship building is also something that might work here. Creative start up firms may also be interested in such locations. Some of that might require coordinating grants to improve the downtown, special financing terms to new businesses, helping entrepreneurs find strong locations, building an investment webpage with pertinent information and reaching out to investors and entrepreneurs. Delta County Chamber, Census Delta County Visit Escanaba

Question: What type of industries are on the upswing that will likely be a good match for the area? (In a cluster theory I would think of how we can hedge current strengths and create transactional alignment to build and/or enhance additional industries that compliment and hedge each other for market ups and downs.)

Notes: (Just some briefs) October 19th, 2023 Agenda

-MERS: A statement on the value of their program. If I'm understanding the rumor mill correctly it is based on where investments are made, information on investments, and overall cost. 

-Pfas litigation agreement. Pfas explained

-Vans with ladder racks and 2 way radios. 88K City was awarded 60 million funds coming. Engineer agreement. Prep work and contractors. Installing meters. 40 million for water side and 20 other. Need tools and people. A couple of new admin and 10 more technicians. Possible multi use for workers in different areas. Majority of the communities in MI never got grants. Esky is a special place. :)

-Escanaba engineering firm. C2A. 2nd round $20 million grant for drinking water. 

-Sink hole. Need a filter for water. 

-Ludington lift station. 

-CM wanted more information on what the investments were. Would like to have some more understanding of the investment methods. Seek more choice in options and outcomes.

-Defined benefit plan retirement plan changes.

-Vacancies on 4-5 different boards. 

-Seeking grant for grid resilience. Energy optimization program. 

-Chicken and duck issue. If you are not aware we have a big debate if we should allow chicken and ducks within the city. Waiting to see if there are any issues with other cities.

-Gentleman came up and discussed record retainment length for elections. 

150 Car Pile Up in Louisiana: Highways can be some of the most dangerous places. (The Science of Wreckless Driving)

A terrible accident with 7 dead, 25 injured, 150 vehicles on a Louisiana Highway. The highway is a dangerous place and people don't give enough space between their and other's cars. More importantly truck drivers sometimes act as though they are driving a Pinto and come within a single car length behind other vehicles in the slow moving lane so as to push them to go faster (That may not be what happened here but I'm trying to make a safety point). I guess they are annoyed by traffic going 69 in a 70 mph zone. These are unlikely the first time these issues have occurred.

This is a devastating accident and lots of people got hurt. I think the problem is too fast, too many big trucks (and cars) not respecting the lives of others, and when something like this happens no one wants to take responsibility. The first thing one might do if they run into this dense fog is put on their hazards, go slow and consider getting off the highway. Trucks should move very slowly and not rush under hazardous conditions. Common sense I think but not so common.

We also need much heavier enforcement of vehicles that are being unsafe on the highway. Doubly so for large semis who take much longer to stop when compared to cars and do a lot more damage. Perhaps buzzers and loud warnings inside some of these trucks when they get too close might be helpful. The more annoying the better! Don't let them rig it to shut if off.

 Let me give you two examples I have experienced in the past year that could have been deadly. 

Example 1. Driving through construction zone around 50 mph between Toledo and Detroit and look in my rear mirror and see only front grill from a large fuel tanker. I'm in the slow lane and there is no shoulder because of barricades to my right and cars in the left lane (barricades there as well with no exits for miles.). I cant go faster because there are cars in front of me. I slow down a few mph and put on my hazards. Semi driver gets angry and gets closer within a couple of feet. If I would have needed to abruptly put on my breaks if cars stopped in front of me he would have plowed through 10 cars and dumped his fuel down a practical tunnel of cars, families, children. 

Example 2. Driving down state over the past weekend in the slow lane on 75 just below the bridge at 70 miles an hour on cruise control. A jeep drives up behind me and hovers about car length behind me for a few miles despite the entire highway being open. I reduce speed about 5 mph hoping he would pass. He gets closer. I slow down again 5 mph and he gets even closer. I wasn't upset so I just pointed to pass. He did. He drives up in front of me moves into the right lane in front of me and slows down to teach me a lesson. I move over in the left lane and he moves into the left lane. I move back into the right lane and he moves into the right lane.  

When drivers call in about dangerous behaviors and road rage I think someone should enforce these rules. We have a right to be left alone on the highway and not have angry and dangerous people putting others at risk. Usually when I pull out my cell phone as though I'm going to record them, they stop. Not always but most of the time. Because I travel a lot I'm going to consider putting in an aftermarket dash cam on front and back of the car that I can turn on when I need to just so I can record these behaviors. Perhaps a little sign that says "Your Being Recorded" (Not sure if that is legal but I might check) If there is an accident I want them to be held to account for it. Forget the "conditions" excuse when its obviously unsafe. 

It would be nice if some of these companies get major fines. Professional drivers should be professional. If you can't see in front of you then you need to slow way down or exit. This was sad and could have been avoided. Hope and prayers for the families and people hurt. It will be interesting to see what the investigation says. The Science of Wreckless Driving

U.S. Economy Growing in Q3 2023 (Consumers and Fundamentals)

 It looks like the U.S. economy is growing and expanding at a high pace in Q3 2023 when compared to many other nations. You can read a solid article at American Economy Hot Streak Fortune. What we find is that most economists projected in the past that we would be in a recession at this point. That recession projection has been delayed to sometime in 2024. Consumers seem to be lifting the economy during this quarter along with some economic fundamentals.

What is unique about this situation is that the U.S. could be moving to a higher economic platform through changes in supply chain, investment in infrastructure, and improvements in advanced manufacturing. We don't really know if that is sustainable unless we have a long term homeostasis of the economy. At present the U.S. is taking on some characteristics of an emerging economy (Emerging to what is the central question?). 

A few key points:

-3Q U.S. is expanding.

-July to Sept 4.3% GDP growth (Bloomberg Economy Survey 3Q)

-4% projection consumer growth 3Q, 2023

-Forecasts of 3.7% increase in the core personal consumption expenditures price index (removes volatile food and energy prices)

-4.7% projected GDP annualized pace and 4.2% projected consumer spending.

-Chicago Fed National Activity Index (CFNAI Index) moved to .02 from -.22 as projected in September (Gauges overall activity and inflationary pressure from 85 economic indicators)

You may also want to watch Federal Reserve Jerome Powel Chair Address on 10/19/23.  Fed Chair Econ NY. (There are some protests on the video. Can't make out what they are saying. Lights went out. 🦻)You can also check out the Economic Club of New York

History and Art Tell Us About Economic Development (Integrated Scientific Development)

 Economic history is important in understand economic thought and the underpinnings of societal development. Economic history mixed with economic art helps us delve into how people lived their lives and some of the deeper social mechanics of the era. As we move further into the Digital Era we should consider how our past has created our present and what art can tell us about the history of that development 

"Michael Kremer holds that the roots of economic growth lie in the drift of the long run of history: growing populations intent on improving productive efficiency added to the accumulated knowledge behind technological innovation, adaptation and deployment." Economic History and the Roots of Growth (2016)

The Iron Rolling Mill

1873–75

Adolph Menzel

Art tells you about the past, the person

who created it, and the people who 

ponder it.

Signs and Symbols (2011)

These same mechanics exist today as the Industrial Era led to standardization and preparing the workforce to work as part of a larger economic system. It also led to the era of science in human and industrial problems that furthered development. The Info Age/Digital Era was based off of prior eras down a long line of development that was forced through necessity of COVID to make a decade truncated leap in digital advancement. Economic Development of Platforms (2014)

When we study economic art we can see what the people at the time saw and how they constructed their understanding of society. While we have access to a great amount of information during this era we can use art to understand prior eras. For example, 1.) art and history can tell you about the past, 2,) psychology, sociology, and anthropology can tell you about human nature in society, and 3.) economics and technology can tell you about how tools are used to master our environment, 4.) the world will tell you the problems we face and what tools we will develop to overcome those challenges.

Difference scientific fields come together and solve problems through integration of knowledge. As new data and science intertwine so will faster discoveries and solutions. We may be moving beyond mastering our environment to innovating the environment we live within (i.e. pollution, global economies, space exploration, energy fusion, pandemic management, etc.).  Integration of Scientific Fields (2019) Who says renaissance thinking doesn't lead to renaissance development?

Why it is important to tackle online and offline hate based behaviors?

Hate is a powerful mechanism of damaging communities and singling out our fellow Americans. There are many reasons why people spread hate rumors that range from exploiting perceived differences for political-ideological, financial-economic, thwart accountability-deflection, or racial-religious reasons. When we see these problems arise we should consider methods of tackling them to ensure that we maximize our human capital in society. Why We Hate(2018). 

Hate can be online or in face-to-face groups that share similar dislike and disdain for those who do not prescribe to their beliefs or background. When such groups move from general immaturity to official positions it creates a double or even triple risk for targets as illegitimate behaviors become legitimized. Thus tracing back to the root is helpful to understand and thwart behaviors in the future. Online Hate Speech Propagators(2023)

Because hate is a learned social pattern based often on the influence of toxic social leaders we can say that behaviors were likely many years in the making through social acceptance and lack of controls. Where criminal behaviors occurred and continued we may further experience other victims coming forward when given an opportunity to air their grievances in a safe venue. This becomes especially true where intimidation has been used to minimize freedom of speech and religion. (Might make a case for a local hotline in areas of concern to deal with corruption and hate to see what the eyes and ears of the community tells us.)

From a sociological perspective based on the recent understanding and research in domestic extremism, there is a trajectory line to a greater push by the next generation for more accountability on groups seeking to exploit hate and create divisions in society based on protected classes. In places were different rules for different people exist it will likely give way to a more universal perspective of governance. It falls into alignment with our democratic development and is something we should encourage as a society. Defuse Hate (2016).

Were Men the Only Hunters in Early Human Societies? It may not be completely true in all societies.

In the past we assumed that man was the only hunters in early society and that carries through today.  In the U.P. we have lots of male hunters and we even have some female hunters. Research helps us see that the role of women was not as socially constructed as it is today. We should take from this that gender role differences may be somewhat unrelated the realities of the past. Nothing is conclusive but you get the point. Body mass and strength of men might make a difference but it isn't the only difference.

Research on the Myth of Man Hunter

Human Capital Theory and Development in 2023

Human capital is one of the best ways in which we can develop the capacity and ability to generate wealth and opportunities for companies and nations. Think about human capital and how education and training improve the capacity to meet emerging changes in the market. It is helpful as executives to look at human capital theory and changing trends to make decisions about how to manage your own workforce. Consider the World Economic Forum report on these trends. Growth Summit 2023 Human Capital Trends

The following were quoted from the report and provide a solid overview: 

• Technology adoption will remain a key driver of business transformation in the next five years.
• The largest job creation and destruction effects come from environmental, technology and economic trends.
• Within technology adoption, big data, cloud computing and AI feature highly on likelihood of adoption.
• The impact of most technologies on jobs is expected to be a net positive over the next five years
• The human-machine frontier has shifted, with businesses introducing automation into their operations at a slower pace than previously anticipated.
• The combination of macrotrends and technology adoption will drive specific areas of job growth and decline
• Analytical thinking and creative thinking remain the most important skills for workers in 2023
• Employers estimate that 44% of workers’ skills will be disrupted in the next five years.
• Six in 10 workers will require training before 2027, but only half of workers are seen to have access to adequate training opportunities today.
• A majority of companies will prioritize women (79%), youth under 25 (68%) and those with disabilities (51%) as part of their DEI programs.
• Forty-five percent of businesses see funding for skills training as an effective intervention available to governments seeking to connect talent to employment.

You can also review a more in depth discussion on the background of education and human capital from a governmental standpoint. Intro to Human Capital in the U.S. 

I found this video which gives a solid overview from an HR perspective.