Paris McConnell

Something happened to Dearborn County. We used to be the community which let our historic downtowns deteriorate. We ignored -- if not abhorred -- the Ohio River. We didn't see much value in artistic and cultural offerings. We had an aversion to working together. Whether it is the IEDC READI program or the recently relaunched OCRA Stellar Pathways program, we are often told that our communities need to go bigger, bolder, and more transformational with our investments and future planning. If you sit back and take inventory, you will realize Dearborn County is already well down this path. Have you seen East Central High School's new natatorium? The snow-making innovation at Perfect North Slopes? What about the concepts for the City of Lawrenceburg Riverwalk project? Or do we realize the milestone that is the new, state-of-the-art cancer center which St. Elizabeth Healthcare just opened in Greendale? We even have one of the most popular night clubs in the Cincinnati area at Hollywood Casino's Boogie Nights. All this right here in lil' ol' Dearborn County. What got into us? What changed our "Humble Hoosier" mentality? Some might say it is just the result of riverboat gaming or Cincinnati's urban sprawl and population growth spilling over state lines into Dearborn County. If you ask me, it came down to visionary leadership and innovators. People which we at One Dearborn have the fortune to engage with each day. We shouldn't scoff at big ideas which appear beyond our grasp. As our track record shows, with the proper buy-in and prioritization, such ideas are more achievable in Dearborn County and Southeast Indiana than we give ourselves credit for. For Dearborn County to succeed in becoming an Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs #StellarPathways designee, we'll need people of many backgrounds, ideas, and desires for our communities to be thoughtfully engaged. It's a big table. I hope you'll pull up a chair.

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In case you missed our episode on PBS Michiana - WNIT Economic Outlook.

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This is pretty interesting - The Ohio Department of Commerce's Division of Unclaimed Funds recently took a look at all the unclaimed funds currently being safeguarded by the State of Ohio (approx. $4 billion) to find out which counties rank in the top 10 in overall amount. You can view the results in the below video. Looking for a county outside the top 10? Check out our full 88-county list at https://lnkd.in/g9Xk2nRm #unclaimedfunds

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Breaking News - Metro Detroit Leaders Rally Around Mary Waters for Congress. Will you join The Future - Today & Tomorrow campaign to elect Mary Waters too? Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and other Leaders are Supporting Mary Waters for Congress, we need your support to help us elect Mary Waters now more than ever! We are at a pivotal moment in our nation’s history. Yesterday's conviction of Donald Trump & the MAGA Republican's attacks on our system of Governance and Justice means the fight for democracy, real diverse representation, equality is more critical than ever. The Future - Today & Tomorrow, an African American Super PAC founded to advocate for civil liberties, women's rights, and the protection of our democracy, is calling upon you to support our campaign to elect a serious and exceptional African American Woman of Excellence to Congress: Detroit City Councilmember Mary Waters for Michigan's 13th Congressional District. This week, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, Detroit City Council members Fred Durhal III, Latisha Johnson, Scott Benson and Angela Whitfield-Calloway and Michigan State Representatives Michigan State Rep. Tyrone Carter, Kimberly Edwards and Alabas Farhat announced that they are united around electing Mary Waters and so are we at The Future - Today & Tomorrow. Your donation today can make a substantial impact on our campaign activities. By supporting our campaigns in support of Mary Waters, you are investing in a future where the voices of African American voters, Minority voters, Democratic and Independent voters are amplified, diversity is protected and celebrated, and every voice is heard in Congress. About The Future - Today & Tomorrow The Future - Today & Tomorrow is a Super PAC dedicated to the advancement and protection of civil liberties across the United States. We strive for a future where democracy is unassailable, and every citizen's right to vote is sacrosanct. Our mission is to ensure that technology serves to enhance, not inhibit, the democratic process, fostering a society where everyone has the freedom to choose their leaders without fear or interference. For more information about The Future - Today & Tomorrow, please visit www.futurepac.today. Paid for by The Future - Today & Tomorrow (www.futurepac.today) and not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee. https://lnkd.in/geKex_zf

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For so many Michigan and Midwest formerly manufacturing-dependent communities—the opportunity is real to revitalize the local economy by both keeping ones’ own homegrown “talent”, and attracting newcomers by offering a community that is less expensive, congested, and hurried, with a rich quality of life. But not if we don’t overcome our sharp racial divides and history of the nation’s most intense racial segregation. Read my latest article now published in Postindustrial Media on why Michigan and our other Midwest sister states are largely losing out on the very real movement of top talent to the nation’s more diverse, lifestyle communities. Michigan and the Midwest can reverse decades of relative population decline--but not until we treat our economic achilles heel--race--head on. https://lnkd.in/g3diG8-5

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Fundraisers are balancing with multiple generations, diverse cultures, and rising donor expectations. With plentiful communication methods and fierce competition for donor dollars, it's vital to ensure your fundraising program isn't just active, but effective. And to do that, you need good data. But are you overwhelmed by the information in your database and unsure which metrics truly matter? Our new eBook, "Fundraising Health Check," cuts through the noise to highlight the key performance indicators critical for assessing your program's health. Download now: https://lnkd.in/d7XtsRqz #FundraisingStrategy #NonprofitSuccess #DataDriven

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Have you seen the 2024 Michigan Association of United Ways ALICE Report? The United Way ALICE Report highlights households who earn above the Federal Poverty Level but cannot afford the basic cost of living in their county. ALICE stands for Asset, Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. The 2024 report highlights that 14% of individuals residing in rural Michigan communities are living in poverty, with an additional 29% falling below the ALICE threshold. Access the full report below to better understand the various factors that impact financial stability in Michigan. #miruralhealth #ALICEreport

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Last week, I attended an event that aimed to bring attention to a significant issue: children suing Michigan sheriff’s, the two largest jail telecom companies, and billionaire Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores. The lawsuit asserts the children’s right to hug their incarcerated parents. The issue of whether children have the right to hug their incarcerated parents is both deeply emotional and complex, touching on the funding need for human connection. As someone who has experienced incarceration, I understand firsthand the profound impact that physical touch can have on maintaining security and a sence of closeness that is especially crucial for young children. Unfortunately, the debate is complicated by financial interests, as large telecommunications companies and influential figures like Tom Gores seems to support policies that limit in-person visits in favor of more expensive phone and video visits. This raises a significant ethical questions about the role of these powerful entities in shaping policies that affect vulnerable families. It’s intriguing to consider whether the Detroit Pistons players are aware of Tom Gores’ stance and, if so whether they feel the need to address it. Athletes and other public figures have the potential to use their platforms to advocate for more humane policies that prioritize family connections over corporate profits, potentially sparking meaningful change. #DetroitPistons #TomGores #Athletes #Children #IncarceratedParents

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Few stories are as dramatic and hard-fought as those of Detroit under the tenacious leadership of Mayor Mike Duggan. At the Detroit Policy Conference earlier this year, Duggan’s impassioned plea was clear: get the U.S. Census Bureau to properly reflect the city’s population growth. Today, that plea has been met with triumph. For the first time since 1957, the Census Bureau acknowledges that Detroit’s population is on the rise, a milestone that resonates beyond mere numbers. Detroit, once the beating heart of America’s industrial might, saw its population dwindle over the decades, reaching a low point that many feared was irreversible. The U.S. Census Bureau’s data painted a grim picture: a decline from nearly 2 million residents in 1950 to just over 631,000 in 2022. But these numbers didn’t tell the whole story. Duggan’s administration was adamant that the Census Bureau’s figures were not only inaccurate but damaging to the city’s revival efforts. Duggan didn’t just challenge the Census Bureau; he went to war with it, describing the agency as a “national clown show” for its erroneous reporting. The city filed multiple lawsuits, asserting that the Census Bureau’s methodology unfairly penalized Detroit for its demolition of unoccupied and uninhabitable structures. The agency’s approach, which subtracted about two residents for each demolished building, ignored the fact that these demolitions were part of the city’s strategy to create safer, more livable neighborhoods. Even in the face of the growth, there are still struggles left to overcome. For starters, Detroit’s Black population has dwindled significantly in the past quarter-century, with nearly 300,000 Black residents leaving since 2000. No other U.S. city has had that large of a Black population departure in that span. At the same time, the population of white residents has grown in the past decade by more than 5,000. It begs the question: what is making Black residents want to leave Detroit and causing white people to take up residency in the city? Is it a lack of opportunities available for the skills Detroiters have been trained in for decades? An economy that has historically overemphasized unskilled labor and left Detroit’s residents unprepared for new industries? Inflation that hasn’t matched the price of local wages? Perhaps those are questions that will be answered more directly at another time. But even with those looming questions, this significant growth in the city’s population should not be undervalued. https://lnkd.in/gvNxtbAE

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From the shore of the Detroit River to the shore of Lake Michigan, listen to these 2 essential Economic Development Organizations describe how they are attracting, retaining and expanding their economies! Hear from Lakeshore Advantage and the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation. Listen to CEO's Jennifer Owens & Kevin Johnson, one in Ottawa County and the other in Downtown Detroit! What is up on Lake Michigan? The Lakeshore Advantage. See how they are helping West Michigan businesses in Allegan and Ottawa Counties. Jennifer Owens is the President of Lakeshore Advantage, a non-profit economic development organization that connects businesses to the resources they need to grow in Allegan and Ottawa Counties. With host Ed Clemente, they discuss the ecosystem of advanced energy her team has been cultivating, other manufacturing industries as well as Opportunity Zones, Gentex, workforce and entrepreneurship. Jennifer has a strong pedigree in economic development, as well as a well-rounded career, strong internal and leadership teams, and partners to help make Lakeshore Advantage a successful organization. You can also read the transcript from our conversation. Detroit Economic Growth Corporation: Find out why Kevin Johnson is up to the challenge of advancing the economy for all residents. Kevin Johnson is the President and CEO of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation. The mission of the DEGC is to design and implement innovative solutions that attract investment, create jobs and advance Detroit’s economy for all residents. Join Kevin and host Ed Clemente to learn about neighborhood small-business growth, the new Stellantis/Fiat Chrysler Detroit Assembly Complex, Buy Detroit, international economic strategies and Detroit Means Business. He will also get into what the International Economic Development Council is, and his definition of what economic development means to compete. Overall, a very substantial and visionary discussion on Detroit and more! You can also read the transcript from our conversation. Quentin Messer, Jr. CEcD Michigan Economic Development Corporation Hilary Doe Michelle Grinnell Erin Cornett, CTA Otie McKinley Nathan Ohle Michigan Economic Developers Association Link Bessert WJR 760 AM Kelly Watkins Randy Thelen Maureen Donohue Krauss, FM James McBryde https://lnkd.in/gAbZ2YNr

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MEET AN EDC AFFILIATE! Today we want to introduce you to EDC Affiliate, the Springfield Cultural Partnership (SCP). The organization’s goal is to foster civic engagement and arts education in the City of Springfield by creating and sustaining a vibrant cultural environment, authentically engaging institutions, artists, and the community.   Are you curious why an organization, like the Western Mass EDC, with a mission to stimulate and facilitate a vigorous regional economy, encouraging and sustaining capital investment and quality job growth, would chose an arts and culture based affiliate?   Well the fact is, supporting the vitality of our local cultural economy is a key aspect of growth in our region. Don’t just take our word for it though, let’s look at the data. According to the Arts and Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6) Study* - which examined economic impact of jobs, government revenue, household income through spending by nonprofit arts and culture organizations, as well as the event related spending by their audiences, across the U.S. Then it was drilled down to Springfield, Mass. DID YOU KNOW? In 2022, the Springfield, Mass. nonprofit arts and culture sector: * Generated $82.4 million in economic activity * Supported 1,483 jobs * Provided $51.3 million in personal income to residents * Generated $15.3 million in tax revenue to local, state & federal governments * Inspired $31.85 in spending per visitor This is just part of the reason why the EDC so strongly aligns with supporting the creative economy (the other is because what creatives bring to the area is stunning!) For more about what’s included in “The Creative Industries”, support and resources available, plus details on the “Pioneer Valley Creative Network” and “New England's Creative Economy Directory” check out our website at > https://lnkd.in/ewqe3pZg. And if you’re looking to immerse yourself in the vibrant world of Springfield’s rich arts and culture scene, you MUST check out the Springfield Arts & Culture app, “ArtSpringfld” (go here for more > https://lnkd.in/eQpr4V8C). It’s designed to enhance your viewing, accessing, and learning experiences, with a guide to the public art and architecture in this beautiful city. Plus, new public art from Springfield neighborhoods, museums, libraries, parks, architecture and other cultural assets are being added each month. * Full Study: https://lnkd.in/e-RP76wH

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What are the felt needs of youth leaders today? Unpack the state of youth ministry with Terry Linhart, author and CEO of Arbor Research, during Network Conversations. Register now and join the conversation! 💬 https://bit.ly/NCjune11

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Hot Take: Affordable housing and Building wealth through real estate can't coexist at scale.

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The Milwaukee County Treasurer's Office needs to get back to work restoring abandoned industrial and commercial properties from tax delinquency to the tax base. Eighteen of Milwaukee County's nineteen municipalities rely on the Treasurer's Office to take foreclosure action in these scenarios, lest these properties continue to sit vacant, unused, and in poor repair. Yet we see properties languish in delinquency and decay, a clear sign that change is needed in the Treasurer's Office. Our communities deserve a more engaged and administratively savvy Treasurer with who will work with municipal planners, state funders, private-sector investment partners, and the county's economic development division to identify properties in need; work creatively to secure funding for cleanup, mitigation, or demolition as appropriate; and develop plans for sale and reuse. Then, once these critical pieces are in place, our Treasurer must be willing to initiate foreclosure proceedings and secure the property's transfer to county ownership, so that partner agencies can take the next steps in the process and make the property ready for sale. The opportunities available through this approach are significant - many of these sites possess real potential for sustainable re-use that will support thriving and inclusive communities. And the partnerships are waiting to be formed - just look at the example highlighted in this video, where a private investor is already working to pull together state, county, and external support for a viable reuse plan. But these opportunities will remain locked behind a wall of inaction unless we change the leadership in our Treasurer's Office and restore an active, hands-on, community-minded approach.

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Carrie Hartman - Pres., Toledo City Council A local political enthusiast told me months ago that there was a need for city council to get younger. There’s been a lot of turnover in the last few years - and I think one could argue it’s skewing that way - and one of the new faces is president Carrie Hartman. Who is taking the ball when it comes to QOL? It’s not ProMedica - it’s not UT. Love ‘em or hate ‘em Roundabout talk (Secor at Kenwood - traffic backup to Central Ave) - Hunter Brucks was given the keys to the summer concert series - so far there have been two shows booked. Life expectancy study from Area Office on Aging shows 20-year gap between Vistual neighborhood and the DeVeaux Village. There were 37 applications for two positions - what does that say to you? Is it interest in civics - or is it frustration with how things are being done? Bobcat Bonnies? Geoffrey Grief, Ph.D. - Author | University of Maryland | Sociology Much has been made of the complex social arrangements that girls and women navigate, but little scholarly or popular attention has focused on what friendship means to men. Drawing on in-depth interviews with nearly 400 men, therapist and researcher Geoffrey L. Greif takes readers on a guided tour of male friendships, explaining what makes them work, why they are vital to the health of individuals and communities, and how to build the kinds of friendships that can lead to longer and happier lives. The guiding feature of the book is Greif's typology of male friendships: he dispels the myth that men don't have friends, showing that men have must, trust, just,and rust friends. WTOL 11

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