I've lived in Michigan my entire adult life, having immigrated to the USA from India immediately after I graduated from college (and married). In fact, I've lived in Michigan longer than I've lived in my birth city Bombay, India. So this is home! And I love it here.

Yes, it's cold in Michigan (especially since I came here from a city that had an average temperature of 90 degrees year round).  Yes, we currently have one of the worst economic climates in the county. And yes, the automakers who ruled Michigan and for that matter positively impacted the entire country's economy, are struggling to survive. 
 
And yes, we have a brand image problem. (The Pure Michigan ads with Jeff Bridges haven't really done a whole lot to improve our image outside of Michigan. But that's a topic for another post.).
 
So it was with pleasure that I saw this ad and read about the "Business Leaders for Michigan" campaign that launched today. Here's the video, creatively done, and very telling in it's message that "together we can".

So let's all work together to TURN MICHIGAN AROUND. Every single one of us can make an impact. Let's do it people! Let us collaborate, exchange ideas, support each other, innovate, create, build, and make Michigan a state that everyone wants to emulate.

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Last Monday, Gov. Jennifer Granholm informed that the Northeast Consortium of Michigan Works will get $300,000 in federal grant funds through the No Worker Left Behind initiative to support job-search assistance and worker re-training.

The Northeast Consortium of Michigan Works serves Cheboygan, Montmorency, Crawford, Oscoda, Alcona, Otsego, Alpena and Presque Isle counties.

No Worker Left Behind is an initiative to provide up to $10,000 for up to two years of qualifying job-training assistance at various trade schools, community colleges, private and public universities. After having received a 45 percent cut in funding from the previous fiscal year the Northeast Consortium of Michigan Works had requested additional funds to continue its training programs for all its current enrollees including the 60 residents that were added in August earlier this year.

This is a major support to people that lost their job due to the economic downturn. There is already a long waiting list for the program because of the high demand in some parts of the state.

This grant provides encouragement and support to job-training programs across the state and elsewhere.  This grant will certainly help as we all work to turn-around the Michigan economy.

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So after months and months of planning; here we are in almost-December 2010 with a new look, an updated brand, and a new Advisory Board. We still meet on the 2nd Wednesday of each month; rain or shine or snow!

So what’s new with the Michigan International Chamber of Commerce besides the beautiful new website?

• New Name: We’ve got an International networking focus so it makes sense to change our name to reflect that.
• New Advisory Board: Our team is made up of business owners and professionals from the local community.
• New Programs: CIO Round Table, Social Night, and Golf are just some of the new activities planned.
• More Networking Opportunities: We continue to believe that networking is the key to business and professional growth. Therefore we hope to provide more and more opportunities for members to network with each other.

You’re missing out on quality and fun networking if you haven’t attended the Michigan International Chamber of Commerce events yet. We’re here as a resource to not only business owners but working professionals too.

The Michigan International Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit. Take advantage of our low membership rates and reap the benefits of being a Michigan International Chamber of Commerce member.

Click here to join the Michigan International Chamber of Commerce

Get connected today!

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Ken Matthew says his idols are Swami Vivekanand, Mother Teresa, and Mahatma Gandhi. Ken was just appointed Deputy Mayor of Stafford, Texas, a small community of about 20,000 people.He graduated from Mumbai University and also has an MBA from University of Detroit (yes! I’ve got the University of Mumbai AND a Detroit connection with him).

Ken is the 1st Asian Indian (Indian American) to hold such a position in Texas.

Congratulations to Ken Matthews!

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Know anyone at Harvard needing financial assistance? Well, there’s a new way for them to get in front of people who can provide financial aid.

Nimay Mehta and Tanuj Parikh, two Asian Indian Harvard graduates along with their buddy Joshua Kushner, have launched a start-up which is sure to be a hit with students and alumni alike.

UniThrive, is a non-profit which connects Harvard’s financially needed students to Harvard’s alumni with deep pockets.

The site is currently only available to Harvard students and alumni but I’m sure that’s going to change in near future. What a great way for Harvard grads to make their mark in the business world. Kudos to all three.

To learn more, please visit: http://www.unithrive.org/

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