Despite criticism and delays, Michigan's Governor Jennifer Granholm pushes forward to make urban areas in Michigan attractive to young professionals.
The Cool Cities program, the state of Michigans economic development initiative to combat brain drain across the state, has been progressing slowly since the Governor first proposed the program in 2003. "Between 1995 and 2000, Michigan lost an estimated 43,000 young college graduates, who left the state for everything from jobs to warmer year-round weather." The Cool Cities program awards grants for the development of loft housing, parks, art centers and other "cool" urban amenities that may appeal to twenty-somethings. The criticism and the slow progress of some of the projects are not deterring city and state officials, who continue to support the program and point to the millions of dollars in investments and the hundreds of jobs that have been created and retained as a result of the program to date.
Thanks to Connie Chung
FULL STORY: Michigan fosters 'Cool City' series

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Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie