By Bob Robinson
When I moved to mid-Michigan 35 years ago, there were more than 40,000 manufacturing jobs in the area. Now there are less than 10,000 or 12,000. The loss of industrial and manufacturing jobs throughout the state has left people fleeing Michigan cities, leaving behind abandoned and over-built infrastructures. Cities grew during the industrial age to gather large numbers of people together with mega amounts of raw materials for manufacturing and industry. That necessity no longer exists. No amount of economic development will restore our cities to their former populations. Cities will continue to struggle, as they learn to restructure aging facilities for reduced numbers of city dwellers. We are, after all, a pragmatic culture. We go to live where there are jobs. Detroit has recently accepted this reality and is now looking to downsize itself, a move that makes a lot of sense.
Cool cities don’t work, cool people do.
I believe that great opportunities are often disguised as impossible situations. Our present economic collapse can serve to bring us into a sharper focus on ideals
for a cleaner environment, a more equitable economy, and a better quality of life for all. New horizons are open to endless opportunities as we repurpose Michigan cities for unavoidably smaller populations.
Out dated infrastructure and facilities can give way to open spaces, parks, and greenways that can improve the condition of our lives, and make our cities more attractive, not less attractive. And with the rich human and natural resources that are still available to us, Mother Michigan will continue to provide us with a wealth of opportunity in technology, agriculture, biotechnologies, sustainability research, advanced auto manufacturing, alternative and green power industries, tourism, recreation and more. That means new Michigan jobs for Michigan people!
At this important fork in the road, we have the opportunity to realize that as Michiganians, we have a choice over what we are and will become: To realize that the current events of our times need not make us victims, because there is no limit to what we can imagine and create for our future when we work hard together.
Robinson is a citizen candidate for the office of State Representative of Eaton County, District 71, who is not seeking lobby money for his campaign. He is an internationally accredited public relations professional and author of the Random House book, “Freelancing: Using the Internet to Find a Job”, which chronicled the history of organized employment in the United States. Bob lives with his family in Vermontville, Michigan, and is involved in his community. For information, go to www.district71.com or his Facebook page at http://facebook.dj/district71.
This article was printed in the May 8, 2010 – May 22, 2010 edition.
