Delta County MI Board of Commissioners Meeting (4/15/2025): County Level Decision Making

The video highlights the variety of topics discussed at the meeting including the airport, parks, grants, processes, so on and so forth. The participants engaged in constuctive dialogue and brought forward ideas for the rest of the committee to ponder. Strong decision making relies on the usefulness of information that occurs through dialogue.

Just as an example, you must make a choice between A and B but have limited information. One might anchor their decisions based on long term objectives, development plans, market needs, citizen sentiment, etc.  

Thinking about the total ability to obtain data for informed decision making to achieve certain objectives can help in successful long-term management. What type of data one can collect, how often they receive such feedback, whether it's in useful form, etc. would likely have some influence on strategic alignment of such choices and in turn their total impact. 

Evidence Based Management County Level

Cross Sector Collaboration Study (Economic Cluster Development)

Understanding a complex phenomenon like an economic cluster requires the ability to continuously read and evaluate available research literature on related issues/topics. I'm working on an economic piece on the concept of transactional clusters so reading other's research helps to ensure appropriate context of those efforts. Hopefully to be published in a scientific journal somewhere (probably not groundbreaking). Likewise, some of the information will be used in the last chapter of a book discussing why entities might collaborate around a problem. The more studies one reads, generally the more knowledgeable one becomes on a topic, and more likely to understand how others as well as mine are formed (similarities and differences). For research studies this is used as a literary discussion which is necessary for complex theoretical models (For example, I have 15+ years of research but am writing it in smaller batches based on that information.) The background is important for research and theory development  (You can read What Are Literature Reviews?).

Here is what I found in the study,

Cross Sector Collaboration Study

Notice from the study why and how organizations will sometimes collaborate with each other to achieve certain goals. The authors also mention the community as a major influence and that is important. Community is a primary source of economic growth but is often neglected in economic theory. This is also why our previous discussions on the blog include the social development of community as a major input factor and benefactor of economic growth (This is becoming increasingly important as wealth gaps rise and zip code as a major factor in life quality. Finding ways to increase quality of life for local residents in our model is part of community support, individual effort, and purpose that underline all sustainable economic engines.).

There is also a level of discussion on data and data collection. Data is used to assess an issue and evaluate such information for possible cause and/or association. Within the model I have been working on it is possible to collect data and measure the value of that data in a way that provides a dashboard health of an entire cluster that would allow for better policy development and overall cluster management. Because elements interact within a cluster they also should be measure in different ways to better understand the flow of such elements within a system.

The study provides some interesting information on mutual learning and blaming loops. There are going to be agreement and disagreements about when and how things function, so some organizational framework is likely needed to handle lack of interest on certain projects that still need support (i.e. a fund on cluster-based research not specific to any study or industry but to general cluster problems as one possibility). Different interests come into play when collaborating on key objectives, projects, etc. The areas where entities in the study collaborated are around education, economic development, and public safety. The manuscript also discusses what happens under a blaming loop. In collaborative efforts you want to avoid non-constructive engagement.

Santiago Pulido-Gómez, Jorrit de Jong, Jan W Rivkin, Cross-sector collaboration in cities: learning journey or blame game?, Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, 2025;, muae026, https://doi.org/10.1093/jopart/muae026

Fed Chair Jerome Powell's Full Remarks at Economic Club of Chicago

This discussion provided an excellent broad overview of the economy through the Fed Chair's perspective. Dr. Powell offered some key insights and viewpoints. Surprisingly he comes up with some quick witty answers to tricky questions. The ability to answer questions on the fly comes from years of experience and knowledge. 

This event was hosted at the Economic Club of Chicago (I am also putting the Detroit Economic Club because that is another site to bookmark. I included the YouTube Links to both in the right hand column because they have some pretty good videos.)

If you own a business or are an executive try and stay on top of the economic news because it helps you make better business and investment decisions.

Visions Museum of Textile Art Fundraiser April 26th, 2025 (Moral Economies and Matrilineages of Quilts)

Quilting was once a requirement for families that wanted to conserve cloth by making blankets and other useful tools of life. Quilting also is sometimes a masterful show spanning the full color spectrum. The Visions Museum of Textile Art provides an eye sensory experience of robust colorful displays and hand-crafted work that could take a month or longer to finish. The time and expertise needed to complete one of these dazzling works is significant and the skill necessary to create quilted pieces of textile art were years in the making. 

There is a story behind quilt making. Quilts are more than something to throw over a bed. Moral and matrilineages stories are often woven into some pieces. You may read about the history of quilting in Moral Economies and Matrilineages (pdf).

The museum offers some unique quilting displays, education, and information, Their purpose is, "Visions Museum of Textile Art celebrates and advances contemporary quilting and textile art through exhibitions that explore cultural traditions, contemporary relevance, and innovative creativity."

They also do a few nice things for others such as,

• Support the families of LA fire victims with art pieces.
• Further they partner with Liberty School to teach kids about art and showcase their work for visitors. I saw two pieces that I thought were done by professionals. Liberty School Program

Upcoming Threads of Time Art Auction and Fundraiser Event

Because of the value such quilting offers to society you may want to support the Visions Museum of Textile Art by attending the April 26th art piece auction. Purchasing items helps supports the museum and the artists.

Consider joining the Threads of Time Auction
April 26th, 2025 5:30 to 8pm

• Wearable art show featuring Mesa Fashion Program
• Art engagement
• Food and drinks
• Silent and live auctions of artwork.

If your more interested in a donation you can do that HERE

Veteran Jobs and Veteran Hiring Opportunities (Veteran Sources)

Veterans are an underutilized labor resource for local businesses and employers. Whether you are looking to hire a veteran or you are a veteran seeking a career move, you may find the resources below of interest. Some of the resources show the value of hiring veterans as well as links for veterans to explore gainful employment opportunities. Industry needs the skills veterans have gained in an increasingly highly technical working world. Hiring a veteran leads to increased competitiveness as well as enhancement of community resilience. 

A Few Facts on Veterans:

-In 2024 Veterans unemployment rate was at 3% which is much lower than the 3.9% experienced by non-veterans. Veterans are a people with s strong work ethic. Veteran Unemployment Rates

-Veterans are more likely to be self-employed and own their own businesses compared to the general population so entrepreneurial perspective is an asset. Veteran Entrepreneurs Research

 -Veterans are more likely to be employed in STEM fields even without a BA degree. Therefore employers may be interested in veterans for skills they can groom in technology. Perhaps even more beneficial or leading edge industries. Stem Employment and Veterans

-Helping veterans transition their learned job skills to civilian employment is important for maximizing contributions to society. While the hard skills are valid it is often the soft skills that make a difference. Soft Skills Learned in the Military

-Transferring the skills learned in the military to employment attributes that employers are interested is helpful for successful gainful employment and contributions to industry.  How Military Service Affects Veterans’ Job Outcomes

Veteran Job Boards: If you are a veteran and looking for work consider the following sources.

RecruitMilitary

If your not in the military yet and/or could reenlist consider Military Careers 2025

Hire Veterans

Military.com Veteran Jobs

VA Veteran Entrepreneurial Portal

Jobs in Escanaba

USA Jobs

VA for Vets Offers some upcoming job fairs as well as a number of resources. 

Security Clearance Jobs

Daily Press Get Hired

U.S. Department of Labor Find a Job

U.P. Michigan Works

A video to consider on hiring veterans. 

JDI: Introducing Girls to Business and Leadership (Women in the Workplace 2024 Stats)

Job's Daughter International of California (JDI) is a non-profit that teaches young ladies how to become confident leaders in society through their teaching and organizational endeavors. Exposing young people to financial literacy, business, and leadership can develop internal expectations for growth as well as provide a solid footing for leadership and learning throughout their lives. It is nice to see people making the effort to improve the prospects of young ladies and furthering business interests through volunteering.

A Few Important Links:

About information San Diego JDI

Interesting history History JDI

You can donate to JDI HERE

A Few Writing Reasons:

Part of the blog is about showcasing organizations and philanthropy. Being part of a few organizations this one came up in discussion as beneficial. One way to do that is put a little blurb that raises exposure. I have fun because I support many of the things I believe in while furthering the health of society.

Women in the Workplace Still Faces Some Challenges:

If you want to know more about current women in the workplace then read McKinsey & Company Women in the Workplace 2024. From this report it doesn't seem like women have reached parity yet. The report says it would take 50 years! Wow! One of the largest reports out there. Some good tips at the end.

Biking to Golf: When Three Clubs is All You Need! (1/3 of Americans Engaged in Golf 2024)

 

Velcro Straps

Some of us drive to golf in style while some of us turn our golf outing into a bike adventure with a little fitness. To be fair I use my ebike to do a lot of things and don't always have access to a car in San Diego. Sometimes I rent a car and sometimes I just run around on my ebike because 90% of what I do is on the coast (I used to have a nice classic car I restored and someone ran into it. 😭 The other car I gave to my child when turned 16). Now I don't want to deal with parking.). Bikes also fit on boats and have a 30 mile range.

The Loma Club is fairly close to me and I just love how I can get on the course relatively quick, play a round in just over an hour, and then have something to eat and listen to the bands on Friday and Saturday. 

Classy look

Three clubs is all I need in most situations. I take a couple of balls, a few tees, and three clubs (putter, 5 iron and 5 wood). I strap those onto my bike and I'm ready to go! No excuses!

Apparently, I'm not the only one who likes golf. Over 1/3 of Americans were involved with golf in some way in 2024. I didn't see any stats on how many people bike to golf (just kidding its not important). You can read National Golf Foundation