UP Boat Building, Michigan Municipal Execs Meet, Update on Dark Store Issue, Tourist Tax, & Free Community College Tuition

– INFORMED BREVITY –

Another Big Success in the UP–Boat Building

The Great Lakes Boat Building School in Cedarville has almost 100% placement of their graduates in marine careers over the past several years. “A surge in recreational boating in Michigan and across the country is helping graduates find jobs and underscores the importance of the small but growing school.” UP Word. 7.8.24.

Michigan Municipal Execs Meet in UP for First Time

The statewide group Michigan Municipal Execs is part of the Michigan Municipal League that represents the cities of Michigan. For the first time in its history, the Michigan Municipal Execs meet in the UP at Northern Michigan University in Marquette. They say they will be back in future years.

Many NMU graduates and alumni of the NMU Master in Public Administration program are in many different positions in the UP’s cities, townships and counties. Some of them are responsible for getting the Michigan Municipal Execs to meet in the UP. We bumped into one of the NMU graduates who was up for the meeting–Nick Sizemore, City Manager of Grosse Point Shores. Thanks Nick for filing us in.

Update on the Dark Store Issue

Our readers will recall that we have published several articles about the loss of revenue to local governments because of a tax loophole being taken by big box stores like Meijer, Lowes, Menards and others. This has greatly impacted local governments throughout the Upper Peninsula causing strains on local revenues.

A state legislative fix is necessary to fix this loophole. UP legislators are now working on a legislative fix and observers are optimistic. We shall see and we will keep you posted.

Tourist Tax to Help Keep Property Tax Increases Off the Backs of Citizens

We did a reader survey recently asking if readers would be interested in taxing tourists to raise local revenues rather than taxing local homeowners. The response was overwhelmingly YES!!!

Many downstate communities already have legislative authority to do this.

Some legislators have responded that would take legislation action to allow it in the Upper Peninsula. So we heard from many that then our local leaders should go get that legislation introduced and passed in Lansing.

We will keep you posted.

Free Tuition for Community College Students

The state has recently passed legislation that would provide free tuition to a student attending a Michigan community college. Upper Peninsula community college students attending one of UP’s community colleges, or any in Michigan, will be able to benefit from this great new program and will help reduce student debt.

Check out one of the community college programs available and if you are interested sign up and not have to pay any tuition.

Quotes

“The most dangerous man (or woman) in the world is the man (or woman) that knows what’s best for YOU.” Unknown.

“I have an unshakable conviction that democracy can never be undermined if we maintain our library resources and a national intelligence capable of using them.” Franklin D. Roosevelt, letter to Herbert Putman, 3.28.34.

Books Recommended by our Readers

“Corruptible. Who Gets Power and How It Changes Us.” Brian Klass. 2024.

Talk To Us

Keep your raves, laurels, rants and darts coming. Send them to us at david@ruralinsights.org. We love to read them.

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