Increases in Global Innovation 2024: Reducing Academic-Business Innovation Barriers (Innovative Community Development-Escanaba)

(Illustrative Only-Example for Learning)

Jake is a free thinker mixed with
a little scientific knowledge. He has explored
some new concepts and created
some practical solutions for 
the community cluster that
has started to form over the past
few years. To Jake he can see
ideas in action locally through
micro developments that
made a slow growth place
thriving again through a
mini-renaissance. Put it
on investor's map for consideration. There
are few barriers to innovation
here and that makes a difference.

Jake sees a bigger picture of
how elements interact and can
tap those fundamentals
in economic and social
exchange assumptions. 
As an example, business that consider
working in groups/committees
to solve problems
shared by participants
creating innovation 
throughout the community. 
That helps not only their
business but also others. 
The benefits of the community
are considered in the decision making
process and that fosters
social community growth.

One might see the fruit of one's 
labor in the lives of 
community members in terms
of quality of life, jobs, reduction
in crime and more opportunity
for the young. It is time
to start focusing on developing
our communities again because
that is where home and hearth is 
located and that is where 
development impacts lives
in ways we can see it.

What was presented above
 is a learning example. You may
consider investing in a UP community
like Escanaba. The downtown is ripe
for start-ups and business
participation in growth.  Escanaba DDA

Innovation isn’t just about how much money is spent; it’s also about what is being researched and how easily ideas move from invention to real-world application. The gap between academic research and practical industry use has long been a concern, as many discoveries never make it beyond the lab. Strengthening partnerships between universities and businesses, prioritizing research with broad industry impact, and focusing on technologies that can reshape multiple sectors—such as new energy sources or advanced materials—can help close that divide.

Communities can also boost innovation by embracing the idea of economic clustering, where local businesses collaborate to share infrastructure, lower costs, and support each other’s growth. Clusters create opportunities for joint problem-solving, new startups, and shared efforts such as developing export markets. As an example coordinating industry-government stakeholders to attract start-ups and small business investments that can enhance the whole cluster in measurable ways. When done well, they encourage faster development, lower transaction costs, and a form of creative regeneration that sparks new ideas. 

As technologies like AI, robotics, and advanced manufacturing continue to blend with traditional industries, innovation will only grow more critical. The race is on.

End of Year Edition – Despite the Odds, Global R&D Spending Grew Again in 2024, Inching Closer to the USD 3 Trillion Mark 

Summary of Article:

• Global research and development (R&D) spending continued to expand in 2024, rising to about USD 2.87 trillion and moving closer to USD 3 trillion in real terms.

• The world economy has become more R&D-intensive over the long term, with R&D as a share of GDP increasing compared with past decades.

• Asia’s share of global R&D has grown significantly, now accounting for around 45 % of total global R&D spending.

• Northern America and Europe remain major contributors to global R&D, while some regions like Sub-Saharan Africa and Northern Africa have also seen increases.

• China and the United States are the top two global R&D spenders in 2024, with China slightly ahead, and several other economies have expanded their R&D footprints in recent years.

January 2026 Employment Report ADP (Sunny Expands Coffee to Go Carts)

(Ilustrative  Example Only)

Sunny has 25 coffee carts lined up
throughout the UP on
various snow trails, ice fishing 
mini communities, snow mobiletrails
 and all over the place. 🙃 

He thinks Escanaba would 
be a good base for his operations
and is thinking of having 
locals build his mini coffee
to go carts based
on his specifications 
instead of importing them. 
If they do well there will
be a global market
for such carts as in one
form or another used
all over the world (free idea
run with it!) 

In this example, Sunny would 
have improved his supply line, 
contributed to local manufacturing,
and hired employees
that would improve the tax
base and appeal of the area.

In this example, one would
want to increase the appeal 
of the area to entrepreneurs, shop
owners, etc. by having
investment pathways that
match people with downtown
and industrial places
for scaling their operations.

The job market hasn’t expanded significantly, with only about 22,000 positions added. Most of this growth came from small and medium-sized businesses, generally those employing between 50 and roughly 500 people. This pattern suggests that smaller and mid-sized firms are currently driving job creation. Their growth is important, as many argue that while large corporations play a major role in the economy, they often dominate markets in ways that can limit broader innovation and competition.

Health care continues to add the most jobs, reflecting ongoing demand in that sector. In contrast, manufacturing and professional services are seeing weaker hiring trends, which is not ideal for anyone hoping to strengthen domestic production or expand the manufacturing base. A more balanced distribution of job growth—especially with stronger gains in manufacturing—would better support long-term economic resilience.

January 2026 ADP Employment Report:

• The ADP National Employment Report measures monthly changes in private-sector jobs using real payroll data.
• January 2026 showed a gain of about 22,000 private-sector jobs.
• Health care added the most jobs, while manufacturing and professional services reported losses.
• Overall job growth has slowed compared with previous years.
• The report provides breakdowns by industry and business size and serves as an independent indicator separate from government data.
• Employers between 50 and 499 added most of the jobs.

Oversight, Accountability, and the Fostering of Judicial Integrity

Let us continue the hypothetical and philosophical Story of the Clan to illustrate how judicial misconduct might unfold in an environment where no effective corrective mechanisms are in place. In principle, concerns about judicial behavior could be referred to an oversight body, such as the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission, which is responsible for reviewing potential misconduct or significant errors. However, in this hypothetical learning scenario, the capacity for meaningful oversight is limited or ineffective at lower courts.

For context, the Story of the Clan is a learning tool—an allegory designed to explores how systems can fail when influenced by bias, partisanship, corruption, or group loyalty (The third world stuff that is precursor metric to wider issues.). It includes elements such as targeted harassment, fabricated investigations, religious or racial prejudice, preferential treatment of connected individuals, exploitation of vulnerable populations, damaging rumors, and clandestine agreements within judicial settings. These actions culminate in a systemic failure of justice.

This breakdown occurs, in part, because of close personal networks and distorted loyalties that underline implicit values that shape institutional outcomes. They didn't correct because they didn't have the moral conscious to correct. Individuals perceived as outsiders or out-group members are quickly marginalized, and their contributions and reasonable concerns carry little weight once they have been dehumanized by bad apples within the system. What is lost in this process is not merely fairness for specific individuals or even out group members but the weakening of foundational principles that underpin the rule of law. Justice becomes contingent on social, religious and political affiliation rather than objective standards.

In a well-functioning system, we would expect avenues for review and correction. Yet in environments where partisanship, institutional culture, or social expectations influence decision-making, such revisions may not occur. Victims are left without recourse when the purpose of the law is subordinated to socially preferred or political outcomes, leading to a decline in public trust and weakening commitment to impartial justice. 

(In this story we reverse that and a positive adaptation occurs to the benefit of everyone and in greater alignment to social contracts so just be patient. It can influence the performance of the whole. This is why good citizens always want to improve systems around our agreed upon core universal vaues.)

While this scenario is presented as a conceptual learning tool, it reflects the reality that institutions are not always in an ideal state and must continually adapt wisely. No matter where they are currently they are always becoming and changing. How they are becoming and what direction they lead to is up to us. Strong impartial justice influences the social and economic system based on foundational assumptions. There is always room for improvement, and individuals within the system may not perceive problems in the same way others do. The poor and minorities often have no voice. Not always by accident. Oversight bodies and review committees play an important role in providing checks and balances, although their effectiveness depends heavily on their processes, independence, and the integrity of their members.

Not specifically related to our philosophical story,

Michigan Judicial Conduct Board Director Forced Out

The Judicial Tenure Commission and the Judicial Ethics Committee

In Michigan, the Judicial Tenure Commission (JTC) is an independent constitutional body that investigates allegations of judicial misconduct and recommends appropriate discipline. The State Bar’s Standing Committee on Judicial Ethics, by contrast, focuses on prevention, offering guidance, advisory opinions, and education to help judges understand and follow ethical standards.

State of Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission

• The Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission is responsible for maintaining the integrity of Michigan’s judiciary and ensuring public confidence in the courts.

• It investigates allegations of misconduct by state judges, magistrates, and referees under the Michigan Code of Judicial Conduct and Michigan court rules.

Judicial Ethics Committee

• The State Bar of Michigan’s Judicial Ethics Committee reviews and provides guidance on the Michigan Code of Judicial Conduct and related professional conduct standards for judges and judicial candidates.

• The committee issues informal advisory opinions on judicial ethics, updates these opinions when rules or laws change, and offers resources to help judges interpret ethical obligations.

Manufacturing Rises in January 2026 (Mariam Thinks of Investing in Escanaba-Possible Supply Chain Benefits)

(Illustrative Only)
Mariam invented and designed
a new product that helps
move equipment around a
shop floor. It is in high
demand and she is considering
scaling up production
and needs a new facility.
She is thinking of
moving to a place 
like Escanaba where
the land is cheaper, labor
is skilled, local government
works with poeple and
shipping infrastructure and
transportation strong
(Rail, road, air, port and data.).
 Infrastructure can reduce
cost.

Enhancing Entrepreneurial Clusters

Supply Chain Integration

Manufacturing remains a vital pillar of the U.S. economy, so any improvement in production and export capacity is encouraging. Although the job market has shifted more toward services in recent employment metrics, the recent uptick in manufacturing activity is a noteworthy development. Ideally, increased production will translate into stronger exports and contribute positively to the trade balance, though that will depend on trends in the months ahead.

Maintaining a strong central position within the global supply chain is essential for long-term economic competitiveness, as this is where significant value is generated. While services add important complementary value, manufacturing creates the foundational products that drive both domestic demand and service-sector activity. 

The highlights below summarize key points from the latest report, which you can review for a more detailed understanding.

Manufacturing PMI® at 52.6%; January 2026 ISM® Manufacturing PMI® Report

• Manufacturing PMI at 52.6% in January 2026 — up from 47.9 in December, indicating the sector expanded after months of contraction.

• First expansion in manufacturing in 12 months after 26 consecutive months below 50.

• Overall U.S. economy continued expanding, with January marking the 15th straight month of growth.

• New Orders Index jumped to 57.1%, the highest since early 2022, signaling stronger demand.

• Production Index climbed to 55.9%, also at its highest level since early 2022.

• Backlog of Orders Index rose to 51.6%, showing more unfinished orders.

• Prices Index at 59.0%, reflecting continued increases in input costs.

• Employment Index at 48.1%, still below 50, meaning manufacturing employment remains in contraction but improved.

• Inventories and Customers’ Inventories remained in contraction, with customer inventories “too low,” which can prompt future orders.

• The PMI reading suggests roughly 1.7% annualized GDP growth based on historical PMI–GDP relationships. 

Escanaba Investment Information Information:

Some information on Escanaba that might help. 

The city has secured more than $100 million in recent infrastructure investments and is seeing a “small business renaissance,” with 15–20 new businesses opening.

Redevelopment & Housing: Efforts are underway to convert vacant properties into mixed-use, commercial, or residential developments, supported in part by state programs like the Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) grant. Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) program.

Industrial Incentives: To encourage growth, the city provides Industrial Facilities Tax Exemptions (IFE) for manufacturing, renovation, and expansion projects, particularly within designated Industrial Development Districts (IDD). The City provides Industrial Facilities Tax Exemptions (IFE)

The Benefits of Clearing the Clutter in the Office and Home

(Illustrative)
Cleaning the clutter.

Clutter makes things harder to manage and slows you down. In a business, a messy workshop or office can drag down productivity. At home, the same problem applies—too much stuff creates distraction and stress. That’s why it’s helpful to declutter your environment from time to time, whether it’s your living space, your workplace, or your business operations.

Since I work from home, clutter builds up quickly. Lately, I’ve been getting rid of anything I don’t use—shirts that don’t fit, old sporting equipment, and random items with no real purpose. As I clear things out, my space feels more open, cleaner, and easier to think in. It’s surprising how much mental clarity comes from physical organization.

If you have a wardrobe or storage area, decluttering gives you a chance to toss outdated items and refresh what you actually need. In a consumer culture, it’s easy to accumulate things we barely use. Removing the excess improves the look of your space, boosts your efficiency, and supports better focus on the tasks that matter.

The same applies to your office. Removing unnecessary items helps keep your actions purposeful. You know where things are, you know what needs to be done, and your environment presents a much stronger sense of professionalism.

An article on the topic,

Clean Your Office or Productivity

Why Shared Values Matter More Than Ever

(Illustrative Only).

These are members of the hypothetical
Feather Party reaffirming
their commitment to the Constitution, 
three independent legs of government,
and serving the people by
upholding social contracts. 
They have concerns they may
go on a list somewhere
for believing in certain
self-evident truths or thiinking
independently from current dynamics..
 However, they believe it is important
to serve people and help their country.
The Constitution

Just in case you wanted to 
know what a Social contract was
What is a Social Contract?(Article)

*The hypothetical Feather Party
is philosophical discussion
on coordinating independents
and doesn't exist at this time.
It is an exploration of the
potential impact of a third party.
 The learning party doesn't 
work with special interests, 
caps donations, and 
doesn't allow straight
party votes. They want
each person to vote their
conscious through
an agreed upon decision making
matrix. Would it work?

It’s important to learn how to build systems that work well for everyone. Societies depend on shared values and rights that protect all people equally. The hypothetical story of the Clan is meant to teach how things can go wrong when those values are ignored or not of importance. We can learn to better support our systems by bringing in new perspectives and ideas outside of the two party system that often vets those ideas.

In the story, a minority family was targeted so others could benefit from them. What was taken from them wasn’t just material—it could affect their family for generations. Some of the people involved even worked with a few court officials they knew professionally and socially to protect themselves and enrich their friends. Those they disageed with, challenged wrongdoing or blew the whistle were not safe from the harm, and corrections were slow or nonexistent.

Some who took part also committed other wrongdoings in other incidents and were given easy deals to hide the bigger issues. The main lesson isn’t about the Clan itself but about the failure of oversight and the lack of values that allowed misconduct to continue. When hate and corruption take over, even basic rights and constitutional protections can be ignored. In theory. Remember its a philosophical example.

Let us explore a more modern example, questions about Epstein’s island. Many documents appeared, people asked questions, and investigations closed. Some think foreign influence may have been involved on the island. Maybe it’s true, maybe not. Without independent investigation (free from party influences of either side), we may never know. This doesn’t mean everyone, or anyone, who knew the couple or visited the island did something wrong, but the risk of intentional manipulation to visitors has a reasonable possibility (Agree or disagree? That is your choice).

Even with these concerns, many good people and officials act with honesty every day. They deserve our respect and support. Strong checks and balances, training, diverse recruitment, and community trust help keep institutions healthy. Yes, there is bad in the world, but there is a lot of good too.

So what do we do? We elect leaders with strong values—people who care deeply about their country, their oaths, and the common good. Will real change happen? Maybe. Is it needed? That is up to you. Time will tell. No matter how one decides we must stay hopeful and trust that the next generation will continue the work and avoid the mistakes we made. Hope is essential.

Your patriotic job is to be a good person: support what is right, value integrity over partisanship, respect others, strengthen your community, share your independent thoughts and pass on good values to your children. When values disappear, history shows that societies can fall off track. They sometimes never find the path again so be careful with your votes and your time.

Be your best self version. Think carefully about what you believe. Support the people and principles that move us forward. You are part of a national family—help yourself, help your neighbors, and work for a better future. Most o all vote your conscience and be informed enough to cast that vote wisely. Vote like your children’s and grandchildren’s futures depend on it—because they might.

*This is a philosphical discussion so take with a grain of salt, rearrange the elements, and come to your own conclusion. There is no right or wrong as long as you have thought about it yourself and came to your own conclusion. 

Firefighting Drags and Carries (Firefighting Video)

Volunteer firefighting is a true donation of time and effort to the community. The men and women who do this type of work foster and contribute to a better society. Because of that commitment, ongoing training is essential. One useful way to train is by watching instructional videos—especially when you already have enough hands-on experience to visualize how each technique translates into real-life situations.

What stood out in this particular video is the simplicity and practicality of the methods shown. The webbing pieces they use are common, and the way they assemble both harnesses and body straps to carry a person is straightforward and effective. After watching the process a few times, you realize how quickly these tools can be made in the moment, even under pressure. Many firefighters already carry webbing and a carabiner, so they typically have the basic gear needed to create these setups.

I also appreciated the demonstration of using a Halligan as a step to climb into a window. By tying webbing to the tool and pulling it tight, it becomes a secure foothold—and the equipment can then be pulled up with it. It’s a clever, practical solution that shows how versatile standard tools can be.

If You Want to Donate

If you're interested in supporting an outstanding Upper Peninsula firefighting department and team, feel free to contact me to the right and I can connect you with the right people. Donations would be tax-deductible. This department is noteworthy for bucking national trends: it has a remarkably strong group of young volunteers—far more than most fire departments. Their success might offer a valuable model for any other department wondering how to engage and involve younger generations in community service. Most departments are struggling in this regard.