President Barack Obama’s appointed ‘car czar,’ Ed Montgomery, was in West Michigan on May 7 to look at the impact of the ailing auto industry at local and regional levels.
West Michigan Strategic Alliance President Greg Northrup was one local leader who made a 5-minute presentation to Montgomery, a group of other federal officials, and Governor Granholm.
Northrup based his presentation on a draft white paper being prepared by the participants in WIRED (Workforce Innovations in Regional Collaboration). West Michigan was one of 13 regions in the country to be involved in the Department of Labor initiative. His basic points were:
- We need to significantly improve the way we govern in order to achieve growth in the 21st century.
- The federal government’s siloed investment in states and regions fails to align resources and meet the varying priorities of regions.
- Regions can better align public, private and institutional leaders to achieve accelerated and accountable results.
- Put the WIRED lessons to work, by funneling funds to regions.
The meeting received coverage in the local and national media, including the Grand Rapids Press and the Washington Post.
Regionally Connected 