"All over Michigan, counties are scrambling to find ways to reinvent their outdated economies. Two recurring themes in this effort have been attracting tourism and retaining corporations. Michigan’s Republican governor, Rick Snyder, a former venture capitalist, recently signed an overhaul of the state tax code that cuts business taxes by $1.7 billion, while committing $25 million to the “Pure Michigan” advertising campaign, which features local celebrities like Tim Allen urging people to visit the state."
This New York Times article by Jonathan Mahler outlines and discusses the re-invention of Michigan's poorest city, Benton Harbor, as it attempts to re-invent itself and gain prosperity it lost as a manufacturing city. It is a theme I have become interested in over the last few years: how individuals, communities, businesses and governments are having to recreate themselves for a variety of reasons.
The narrative of the redevelopment of Benton Harbor has been distilled into a multimedia exhibit in a sleek, modern-looking office on Main Street called the Transformation Center. There’s a scale model of Harbor Shores and photographs of a happy, diverse community in full bloom. A promotional video tells the story of Benton Harbor’s rebirth. “Leaving poverty behind, that’s what we’re going to do,” the narration concludes.
There are many who express despair and hopelessness about the world in general. However, stories such as these shine a light as to the course of action to be taken when ever faced with adversity of any sort. I find such stories reaffirm my belief in humanity in all its forms.
