The former Rust Belt state is betting its future on a sought-after natural resource — people — guided by one person in particular. Hilary Doe, the first state chief growth officer anywhere, discusses what’s next.

Michigan is putting its future in the hands of a single person — its first-in-the-nation chief growth officer. Hilary Doe, chief growth officer, expressed her excitement about the transformation of Michigan Central Station into a dynamic hub of innovation. This revitalized landmark in Detroit is not only fostering a thriving startup ecosystem, but also pioneering cutting-edge infrastructure projects like the first self-charging road. As a collaborative community for entrepreneurs and innovators, the station is positioning Detroit and Michigan as nationally recognized centers of opportunity and technological advancement.In this episode of The Future In Context, Doe speaks with Governing Senior Staff Writer Carl Smith about what’s new — and different — in her role, and the state’s approach to economic growth and competitiveness.

Here are the top five takeaways from this episode:

1. Revitalization of Michigan Central Station: The station is being transformed into a hub of innovation, serving as a key focal point for Detroit and the entire state of Michigan.
2. Startup Ecosystem Growth: The area around the station, particularly Newlab in the book depository, is fostering a burgeoning startup scene with 99 new startups already established.
3. Innovative Infrastructure: It’s ground zero for cutting-edge developments such as the first self-charging road, which exemplifies the forward-thinking projects attracting entrepreneurs and innovators.
4. Collaborative Community: The station and its surroundings are becoming vibrant ecosystems where entrepreneurs and innovators can connect, share ideas and collaboratively build future technologies.
5. National Recognition and Opportunity: The transformation of Michigan Central Station is positioning Detroit and Michigan as nationally recognized centers for innovation and opportunity, attracting talent and investment from across the country.

Related Link to an item referenced in the episode:

• One State Is Putting a Single Person in Charge of Its Growth Strategy

Our editors used ChatGPT 4.0 to summarize the episode in bullet form to help create the show notes. The main image for this story was created using DALL-E 3.

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Former Compton, CA mayor Aja Brown grew up poor. Early on, she developed a sense of what could be for her community. Later, as an urban planner, she had what she calls a “heart to see Compton reach its full potential.” Once she sat in the mayor’s desk, armed with a 12-point vision plan that reflected community needs and a determination to revitalization her city, she used the levers available to her to nudge Compton toward a preferred future. During her tenure, Brown focused on sustainability, economic development, and youth empowerment, leveraging private investment to drive progress.

“There is no equity without data”

She also championed the Compton Pledge, America’s largest experiment with universal basic income program to help address systemic inequalities. That work has led her to the intersection public policy, philanthropy and technology where she believes data-driven solutions can be better delivered outside of government.

SHOW NOTES

Here are the top five takeaways from this episode:

Community-Centered Leadership: Brown's tenure as mayor was defined by her community-centered approach, rooted in a comprehensive 12-point vision plan that addressed the pressing needs of Compton residents. By focusing on sustainability, economic development, and youth empowerment, she aimed to revitalize the city and empower its citizens.

Innovative Policy Initiatives: Brown's implementation of innovative policy initiatives, such as the Compton Pledge guaranteed income program, showcased her commitment to addressing systemic inequalities. By directly delivering resources to residents during the pandemic, Brown demonstrated the power of combining philanthropy with policy-driven solutions to uplift communities.

Technology as a Tool for Equity: Brown emphasizes the importance of technology, exemplified by platforms like Forward, in streamlining government processes and ensuring equitable distribution of resources. By leveraging data-driven solutions, technology can empower underserved communities and improve the efficiency and transparency of governance.

Continued Advocacy for Change: Brown's work exemplifies a continued advocacy for change and equity in governance. Her dedication to empowering communities and driving transformative initiatives underscores the ongoing need for innovative approaches to address systemic challenges and uplift marginalized populations.

Related Links to items referenced in the episode:

• What If Government Just Gave Everyone Cash, No Strings Attached?
  Several Los Angeles Cities in Dire Financial Straits
• The FORWARD Platform

Our editors used ChatGPT 4.0 to summarize the episode in bullet form to help create the show notes. The main image for this story was created using DALL-E 3.