Greater Lansing Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Member Mixer Featuring Mayoral Candidate Andy Schor - - Lansing Civic Events - - April 10, 2017 - - by Chuck Krafft

Greater Lansing Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Member Mixer

Featuring Mayoral Candidate Andy Schor

April 10, 2017

It is always fun to attend Hispanic Chamber Events to meet new contacts and to catch up with people who are working and leading in the Hispanic Community.  Tonight, the event will feature Andy Schor, who is running for mayor. 

Also attending the event were Elisabeth Anderson, who is running for the State House seat Andy Schor is vacating as well as Jaron Green and Guillermo Lopez, who are seeking positions on the Lansing City Council.  Mr. Lopez is also a member of the City of Lansing School Board. 

Jose Yanez started off the meeting by having every attendee introduce his or herself and then introducing Andy Schor.  While he did not grow up in Lansing, he went to the University of Michigan.  He and his wife decided to live here when they graduated from college.  They are raising their family here.

Currently, Andy Schor is a state representative, but he has decided to run for mayor.  Many people in the business community are starting to back him and he is a frontrunner to win the position.  He is a Democrat, but has worked with Republicans to pass several important pieces of legislation.  There are 650,000 people in Michigan who have health insurance because of Andy Schor’s work in the legislature. 

Andy Schor started out in politics as a County Commissioner and moved on to the State Legislature.  He is an enthusiastic advocate of the City of Lansing Schools.  His daughter has learned Chinese in her school and his son is enrolled in the New Tech program at Everett High School.  He cites the diversity of the Lansing School District as a huge asset.

He intends to run a positive campaign based on the issues.  He believes that his leadership style, which encourages collaboration in solving problems and attempts to reach a consensus, is a strength.  If consensus cannot be built, he would do what he believes is best for the city. 

His campaign is based on four issues.  These issues, which are prominently featured on his campaign website, www.AndySchor.com , are

1. Neighborhoods
2. City Government, Infrastructure and Services
3. City and Schools
4. Economic and Community Devleopment

   

He has already been working with advisory committees to develop strategies to make improvements in regard to these issues.  Two specific plays are to promote better development on the Riverfront and help provide attention to the positive things the Lansing Schools are doing to reduce the enrollment decline.  He also is concerned by the number of cannabis shops that are clustering in parts of our city.

Another improvement he will make is to designate a City Employee as the Citizen Advocate to help business people as well as other citizens when they are having difficulties dealing with the city bureaucracy. 

Several people at the conference had suggestions about using technology to make our city more efficient and for finding ways to make sure that city employment and leadership more accurately reflects the ethnic makeup of the city.  Mr. Schor did not want to make an irresponsible promise of quick results, but is concerned about these matters and has pledged to try to find ways to improve on these issues.   

He has a positive message.  When asked what qualifications he has, he pointed out that he has experience, ideas and a collaborative leadership style.  Because he has not worked for the city in the past, he can bring fresh ideas and consider them in an unbiased manner. 

He pledged to keep the lines of communication open.

I was impressed with Mr. Schor’s confidence that never expanded into arrogance during the presentation.  I can see why a lot of people are backing his campaign!!

On May 1, “A Day Without Immigrants and their Friends” will be conducted at the Capitol.  This promotes diversity and the positive things that Immigrants bring to our society.

On May 10, there is a special graduation ceremony where Hispanic students are cited for their scholastic achievements and awarded scholarships.

Lansing Regional Chamber Mixer at Impression5 Science Center - - Lansing Civic Events - - November 1, 2016 - - by Chuck Krafft

LANSING REGIONAL CHAMBER

MEMBER MIXER HOSTED BY IMPRESSION 5

November 1, 2016

By Chuck Krafft

November 1 is a special day because two Lansing Institutions are cooperating to host the Chamber’s Member Mixer.  The Regional Chamber does a lot to promote business and employment in our area.  Impression 5 is a local science center whose mission is to promote math and science in the area.  Many area schools use Impression 5 for school field trips to stimulate their students to look at science through an engrossing lens.

I registered near the science center’s entrance and had some of the wonderful refreshments made by Applebee’s Catering.  There were probably about a hundred local business people mingling and enjoying the exhibits.  The Regional Chamber’s Mixers are always a great place to see people and meet people; this was certainly no exception!

Then I saw a huge exhibit showing the science behind racing cars.  You could learn everything from how the fuel is used to how to change a tire.  There were interactive features; you could test your tire changing skills in a pit stop.  If you could change the tire in two or less minutes, you might have a future on an auto pit crew!

I then had the privilege of meeting with Impression 5’s director, Erik Larson. 

Impression 5’s mission is to provide families with an interactive experience to learn about math and science.  It is aimed at children from birth to age 12.  The exhibits have the kind of bright colors and cool shapes that will get the interest of children and make them want to touch and play with the exhibits. 

In the last year, there have been about 149,000 visitors; roughly 30,000 were with school groups.  Most of the remainder consisted of families visiting.   Visitors are given a short orientation and then allowed to look at, play with and work with the exhibits.

Many of the exhibits are built by the Impression 5 staff; however, Mr. Larson said that the "Hot Wheels:  Race to Win" exhibit was produced by the Children's Museum of Indianapolis.  Many racing and scientific concepts are illustrated with Match Box and Hot Wheels cars.  Even though I’m not an extreme auto fan, I was fascinated by the exhibit.

I went upstairs and continued to be amazed. 

This article does not have the space to document all the wonders a child can see at Impression 5!

There was a wind tunnel where you could learn aerodynamic concepts by making and flying two different types of air planes.  Another interesting exhibit showed how the sun’s inner combustion works similar to water boiling in a container.

There was an exhibit that simplified the concepts that make gears, wheels and levers work so children can understand them.  The nanotechnology exhibit showed how people are able to build things from individual atoms. 

I’m a professional musician; I was really impressed with a piano that had a clear front on it so that children can see that it’s hammers striking the strings that produces the sound when the player depresses the keys.  I played the piano for a few minutes and enjoyed the visual of the hammers flying!

There was also a dulcimer that could be tuned to the player’s specifications that would help children understand the relationship between the string’s size and thickness and the note that would be produced.

Another fascinating exhibit was about teeth and dental health with giant teeth that would capture any child’s interest as well as instructions for maintaining clean, healthy teeth!

Mr. Larson said that exhibits typically last 5 to 7 years; at that time they decide whether to maintain the item or to introduce a new exhibit to the museum.

The admission price to get into the museum is $8.50 for anyone two years old or older.  Mr. Larson wanted to let the public know that during November this year, any grandparent can attend the exhibit free if they are accompanied by a grandchild who pays the admission!

I thank the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce for putting on the mixer and of course, Impression 5 for all the great work they do helping to explain math and science to the Lansing Area’s children!!

Mason Chamber of Commerce - Good Morning Mason Meeting - - Lansing Civic Events - - August 24, 2016 - - by Chuck Krafft

GOOD MORNING, MASON!!

LANSING CIVIC EVENTS

August 24, 2016

By Chuck Krafft

As my manager, Brent Forsberg, from T.A. Forsberg, Inc. was this month’s sponsor and was doing a presentation during the meeting, I visited the Mason Chamber of Commerce Good Morning, Mason monthly meeting.  I had attended one a couple years ago and found it really interesting, both because of the people and the well-controlled format.

Jon Grocki from Dart Bank got the proceedings to an efficient start by warning everyone who was networking that the meeting needed to start in two minutes.  After the attendees all introduced themselves, Brent Forsberg gave a five minute talk on the future of housing.

He pointed out that fewer millennials are driving and prefer to live in developments that are walkable.  He explained that many millennials prefer to live in urban areas where there is a mix of houses, shops and businesses as opposed to the residential suburbs of today which do not have these features.

“Walk scores” are being developed to measure the walkability and will soon be used by the government in deciding how to allocate financing for residential projects. 

Brent also pointed out the many millennials are “renters by choice” because they prefer the flexibility that permits them to move around the country more easily to pursue opportunities.  He defined the term, “placemaking” which is the process of planning an entire living experience in a community.

He pointed out that good signage is essential to making a community more walkable and will increase an area’s walk score.  Of course, in the future residential market, a high walk score will be essential for developers who want to fill their developments!  This was a really informative talk on the future of real estate investment.

The meeting moved on as Doug Klein, the Mason Chamber Executive Director, informed the assembled businesspeople about opportunities to help staff the Visitor Center Booth during chamber events as well as other opportunities.  He was also enthused that it was the first day of Lansing Community College’s Fall Semester.

The Ingham County Fair’s attendance suffered a bit this year because of the hot fall temperatures, but was still pretty strong. 

Mike Waltz, the Mayor of Mason, reported that it has been a quiet summer and is looking to reduce costs by holding fewer council meetings if the city charter will permit it.

Don Waskiewicz reported for both the Building Twenty-One and the Annual Raffle organizations.  This year, they are hoping to sell at least 3000 raffle tickets.  

Elaine Ferris from the Mason Farmers Market Association reported that they are planning a Saturday morning firehouse breakfast fundraiser. 

It was time for the New Member Spotlights.  Jae Burnham from U-Save moving and storage told us of his business that has operated eight years in Holt and provides storage was well as a full moving service.  Kristy Caretti from Tye-Dye Party Rentals told us of their community oriented approach to sales of their items they rent out for parties.

In the New Contact Spotlight, Alicia Goodman, from Staybridge Suites in Okemos told of their All-Suite hotel featuring fully equipped kitchens in each room as well as a pool, exercise room, daily breakfast buffet and a dinner service three nights per week.

They then had some announcements from the people in the audience.  They announced the fifty-fifty drawing winner.  In a tragic development, someone other than me won the prize.  The efficiently-run meeting closed only a few minutes after the scheduled time.

These meetings are a great format that other organizations of this type could hold.  Doug Klein held a buzzing contraption that was there to let people know if they were exceeding their two minute time limit and only had to zap one person.

The Good Morning Mason monthly mixer is an extremely efficient and effective event for business people who wish to work in the Mason Area.  If you have not been to this mixer, you owe it to yourself and your business to check it out!!

Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce - - Economic Club - - Niowave - - Lansing Civic Events - - October 29, 2015 - - by Chuck Krafft`

Lansing Regional Chamber Economic Club Meeting

Terry Grimm

Niowave

October 29, 2015

This month the Lansing Regional Chamber has invited Terry Grimm, the founder and President of Niowave to speak at the Economic Club meeting.  Niowave is a company that is using new technology to spur economic development in the area.  It will be interesting to hear what Mr. Grimm has to say!!

It was fun to meet up with old friends and some fans of my “The Bleacher Denizen” high school sports blog as well as bankers and others my company, T.A. Forsberg, Inc. works with.

Deborah Muchmore, from Kandler Reed Khoury & Muchmore, started the Program by getting everyone to their seats.  We had a fine lunch of roast beef, roasted potatoes and carrots. 

After lunch, she spoke a bit about the complex technology that Mr. Grimm was going to discuss during his talk.  She then introduced Jim Robinson, the CEO of Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan, who is also the Chair of the Mid-Michigan Business Travel Coalition.   

Mr. Robinson let us know that there were some proposals from American Airlines to add some direct routes from Lansing to Washington, D.C. and to Chicago.  They were hoping to have a “quick decision” from the regulators regarding the approval of these routes.  They are hoping to have the decision by the end of 2015.

He thanked the Lansing Community for sending 1200 letters of support for this proposal.

He also mentioned that there will soon be service to Cancun from Lansing.

Jim Robinson introduced Mark J. Burzych, an Attorney from Fahey Schulz Burzych Rhodes.  

He briefly discussed his firm’s practice of helping businesses interact with regulatory agencies to acquire needed licenses and permits.  He pointed out that his firm has been successful and grown from four to sixteen attorneys since they opened.

Mr. Burzych introduced Terry Grimm to the audience.  He spoke of Mr. Grimm’s education as a scientist and praised Mr. Grimm for his ability to deal with non-scientists.  (He used the Sheldon character from “The Big Bang Theory” to contrast with Mr. Grimm’s ability to deal with average people.)  He finished up with a scientific pun (that I actually wish I had thought of first) stating that like a proton, Mr. Grimm is always positive!

That was the beginning of a bit of basic chemistry we needed to learn to understand what Mr. Grimm and Niowave do.

Mr. Grimm’s goal was to teach us how Niowave was going to add to the economic progress of the Lansing area.  To do so, he had to describe what Niowave does so that bankers and other business people in the room (who are typically not chemists and physicists) could understand their processes.

I took careful notes and thought that I would try to relay Mr. Grimm’s thoughts, but I fear making a mistake that might cause an amateur scientist to create a radiation hazard in our area. 

He spoke of the different isotopes that could be used for the FRIB as opposed to the ones that Niowave produces for the Health Care Industry.

The process involves splitting Uranium (U-235) molecules to get unstable Molybdenum molecules.  These are Mo-99 molecules (with 42 protons and 57 neutrons) that are radioactive with a short half life.  The Mo-99 shrinks down to nothing in about two weeks.

This helps provide radiation that can be used for Therapeutic and Diagnostic Imaging.  Again, to promote the safety of mankind, I will not attempt to understand these the way that Mr. Grimm (fortunately for all of us) does!

He got to what the business leaders in our community are eager to learn. 

Every year, there are about 30 million uses of radiation for diagnostic purposes.  At an average price of $340, this generates $10 billion dollars.

At this point, no one in America produces the Mo-99 needed for this.  It is all made in Europe and has to be shipped here.  In 2012, the American Medical Isotopes Production Act was passed to deal with this potential problem.  If we don’t make this necessary material in America, there is a chance that our supply of the Mo-99 could be interrupted.

This creates a huge market for the Mo-99 in America.  Michigan State University, Niowave and Ionetix are all doing research related to this.

Niowave started up about 10 yards ago.  At this point, they are the only company with a license to make Mo-99.   Thus, they are in a business with a huge demand for their product. 

Niowave has operated in the old Walnut Elementary School near Downtown Lansing, but they have built a new facility near the Lansing Airport where they will do most of their production.

Their goal is to make Lansing the “Isotope Capital” of the world!                                 

Niowave believes it can probably add 200 to 300 jobs to the Lansing Economy in the next ten years.  There will probably also be a lot of economic gains for the region from related research done by MSU and other companies.

One reason Niowave located near Lansing is because they can hire scientists with degrees from Michigan State University and also because there are a lot of people in the area who are experienced in manufacturing operations.

Thanks to Terry Grimm for giving this fine presentation and also for all the growth he is providing for our Lansing Area Economy!!

Michigan Food Innovation District - - Janny MT Presentation - - Lansing Civic Events - - September 28, 2015 - - by Chuck Krafft

Michigan Food Innovation District

Janny MT Presentation

September 28, 2015

T.A. Forsberg, Inc. has been working in conjunction with Michigan State University, Lansing Economic Area Partnership, the Lansing and Mason Chambers of Commerce as well as Alaiedon Township and Meridian Township to set up a Food Innovation District.  The Food Innovation District is working to help build a food, agricultural, economic and marketing center to help promote Michigan Food Products in the Lansing Area.

The Food Innovation District is located in Alaiedon Township, just North of I-96 between Hulett and Hagadorn Roads.

Today, T.A. Forsberg, Inc. held a reception to welcome Janny MTUS to the area.  This is family-owned French Company that is introducing the Janny MT fresh food storage bin to growers in Michigan. Benoit Janny came from France to introduce the bins to the audience of people from the organizations listed above as well as several local growers and food processing companies.

These fresh produce storage bins are designed to create a flexible controlled atmosphere that extends the shelf life of harvested fruits, vegetables and cut flowers. By controlling the temperature, humidity and levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the air-tight bins, they are able to slow the aging of the products inside of them.  While they require a cold storage atmosphere, because you simply place the bins in existing cold storage units, there is no additional energy used to store the products.

This provides a huge benefit to local farmers as they can sell their fresh produce over a much longer shelf-life before they begin to deteriorate.  Thus, farmers face far less pressure to offer price discounts on their produce before it becomes overly ripe and less salable.  This results in enhanced revenue for the farmer as well more healthy fruits and vegetables being consumed before they spoil.

Dr. David Spencer and Brent Forsberg told some of the history of the MI Food Innovation District in Okemos and its cooperation with Michigan State University.  They stressed how the Food Innovation District is a prime location with a lot of farming activity in the area and great access to expressways for shipping products. 

Janny MT has assigned Lea Deberry, a post-graduate intern with a background in sciences and agriengineering, to work on the project for seventeen months while they develop a market for their bins and begin to sell them in Michigan.

All this will hopefully help the T.A. Forsberg, Inc. and the MI Food Innovation District to bring investment and employment to the Lansing Area!