Bo Garcia invites Dr. Charles Ballard into the studio to talk about the state of Michigan's economy in 2024; where we came from, where we are, and where we're heading. Dr. Ballard has been an MSU professor since 1983. In 2007, he won the Outstanding Teacher Award in MSU’s College of Social Science. From 2007 until 2020, he was Director of the State of the State Survey, in MSU’s Institute for Public Policy and Social Research. He is Immediate Past Chair of the Board of Directors of the Michigan League for Public Policy. He has served as a consultant with the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Health & Human Services, and Treasury, and with research institutes in Australia, Denmark, and Finland. His books include Michigan at the Millennium and Michigan’s Economic Future.

Bo Garcia connects with Susan Corbin, Director for the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Opportunity (LEO). They explore why LEO was created, what its purpose, and how it has become a driving force in helping Michigan's economy reach its full potential.

Website: Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Opportunity

Bo Garcia connects with Laurie Lonsdorf, Regional Director of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC). They look at big picture of small business in the Capital City and across the state with an explanation of how the SBDC is able to assist entrepreneurs devise a business plan, locate funding, strategic planning, and more.

Website: Small Business Development Center

Bo Garcia connects with Lee Gardner, Director of the Job Training Center (JTC) at Lansing Community College. Lee explains the goal of JTC, a relatively new department at LCC that is focused on helping people in our community gain the skills needed to obtain meaningful employment.

Website: LCC Job Training Center

Bo Garcia interviews Chad Borodychuk, the Business & Community Institute's Director of Corporate Training and Continuing Education. Chad gives the details on the various programs, tactics, and approaches BCI utilizes to train individuals from smallest businesses to the largest corporations. 

Website: Continuing Education

Bo Garcia invites Lansing Mayor Andy Schor to have a conversation about new investments in Lansing, strategies and initiative in economic development, and the partnerships that have been created to foster economic growth.

Website: Lansing Office of the Mayor

Website: Lansing Economic Area Partnership

Website: Michigan Economic Development Corporation

This episode introduces our listeners to Quentin Messer Jr. CEO of the MEDC. Quentin will illustrate how the MEDC grows good paying jobs for our state and region by collaborating with domestic and international companies, higher education, and all levels of government, in order to recruit new companies, expand existing ones, and grow small businesses in Michigan.

Website: Michigan Economic Development Corporation

Bo Garcia connects Dr. Ballard, an Economics Professor at Michigan State University and author. Their conversation covers many of the concerns Americans have right now including the chances of a recession, inflation, and the overall strength of the economy.

Website: Dr. Ballard Contact Information

Website: Michigan at the Millennium on Barnes & Noble

Website: Michigan's Economic Future on MSU Press