#1 Worst Small City for Jobs…Jackson, Mi.
So I turn on the local news station tonight, and the first this I hear is something like this…”Jackson, MI makes it to #1 on Forbes list…but it is not for something they want to be recognized for.”
Jackson, MI is the hometown that I LOVE! It was a hit to hear that Forbes.com has ranked my town as the #1 worst small city in the U.S. for Job Opportunities. The following is from the wilx.com Fox News web site…
“It’s all subjective information,” says Jackson city councilman Dan Greer of the Forbes.com report.Yes, unemployment in Jackson is at 13.4 percent, but Greer says Jackson is adding jobs, from Brownfield projects to Smartzone facilities.
“I can tell you Jackson’s doing very well, especially in the medical profession and health care,” Greer says.
The report cites Jackson’s drop in manufacturing as a reason for its dubious honor, but Surgener sees that as an opportunity.
“There are jobs here in Jackson. Jobs are being created. We’re shifting away from manufacturing and more to service jobs,” he says.
“I hate to sound like Bob Barker but come on down,” Greer says. “The price is right, we have the right economic tools. We’re willing to go to work for you.”
They’re looking for the sweet in a pretty sour report.
Six out of the ten worst small cities for jobs, according to Forbes, were in Michigan; Jackson, Battle Creek, Muskegon-Norton Shoes, Grand Haven-Holland, Saginaw and Flint.
Many of you may be wondering why the heck I’m laying down roots and opening new businesses here in Jackson, MI? Good question for sure! I CHOOSE TO SNUB MY NOSE AT REPORTS LIKE THIS! Jackson is a great city filled with hardworking and dedicated people. My thought is that if we are laking job opportunities, we need to dig deep into the entrepreneurial spirit that built our country in the first place…and start creating OUR OWN NEW OPPORTUNITIES!
I’m soon launching a private equity and capital services firm here in Jackson. I’m bullish on Jackson Michigan! We have got SO much good going for us. We have a deep history of superior manufacturing and distribution. With the right focus and smart local leadership, we will be able to parlay these skills to develop, assemble, and ship the technologies of tomorrow! People will always have wants and needs! We need to focus on serving those wants and needs, period! That is what is going to put Jackson, and Michigan in general, back on the economic map!
I’m making it my personal mission to bring Forbes.com to Jackson, MI in five years. I want my town to be #1 on the Forbes list of Small American Towns with the Strongest Entrepreneurial Spirit! Now that would be news worth reporting!
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April 30th, 2009 at 11:26 am
You go to it mate. It’s that sort of spirit that made America what it is. If everybody in the down knuckles down and snubs the economic climate they can show the rest of America how it’s done. It has to be a community thing where everybody gets behind it. I’m rooting for you guys.
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The Almost Millionaire Reply:
April 30th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
Thanks Sire! I agree with you, we need the whole community to pick ourselves up by our bootstraps and get to work reinventing ourselves.
Quick question, what are unemployment rates looking like in your neck of the woods?
The Almost Millionaires last blog post..#1 Worst Small City for Jobs…Jackson, Mi.
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The Displaced Entrepreneur Reply:
May 1st, 2009 at 1:23 am
Lets do it in 2 years!
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Sire Reply:
May 2nd, 2009 at 6:24 am
Australia wide it’s 5.7% which isn’t all that bad. Our Government stimulus package sucks though and that ain’t helping.
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April 30th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
I agree with the above comments. YOU have to create opportunities which can reverse the tides and bring people back. If everyone was a follower and listened to every media report out there, it would be one sad society.
I have a friend that that started a franchise in a small desolate town outside Buffalo, he not only took advantage of the cheap rent and local gov’t incentives, but he let the doubts of others to give him a stronger drive to find success and now he is making money and starting his second business.
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The Almost Millionaire Reply:
April 30th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Aman,
You friend sounds like my kind of guy! You should highlight his personal journey as a business owner on your blog. Sounds like it would be an inspiring read!
The Almost Millionaires last blog post..#1 Worst Small City for Jobs…Jackson, Mi.
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April 30th, 2009 at 7:08 pm
Woooooow, must be a great feeling. Specially if something you are associated with pops onto forbes list.
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The Almost Millionaire Reply:
May 1st, 2009 at 12:43 am
MMO,
You got that right, I would love to show Forbes what Jackson is all about!
The Almost Millionaires last blog post..#1 Worst Small City for Jobs…Jackson, Mi.
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April 30th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Great post! As a former Michigan native (from Milan), I have been to Jackson many times and it has that great Midwestern small town appeal. Starting a business in this economy is scary, but it is no different than investing in the stock market. Buy low and sell high! Same with a business.
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The Almost Millionaire Reply:
May 1st, 2009 at 12:44 am
@pfincome
You got it brother! I drive through Milan all the time. (Grew up in Monroe and family is still there) You are speaking my language. I agree, now is the time to take the risk and try to make things happen!
The Almost Millionaires last blog post..#1 Worst Small City for Jobs…Jackson, Mi.
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pfincome Reply:
May 3rd, 2009 at 4:33 am
Crazy how small this world is. My heart is still in MI even though we moved south for work. Good luck to you!
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April 30th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
B -
Great post… things are alive and well in Jackson !
James Dimmer III
http://www.jamesdimmer3.com
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The Almost Millionaire Reply:
May 4th, 2009 at 1:19 am
James, you have got that right brother. I’m looking forward to working with you on your deal. Changing the face of Jackson baby!!!!
The Almost Millionaires last blog post..Life is Good!
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April 30th, 2009 at 11:08 pm
Dude, you got me fired up
If we all have that drive and determination, this ole country of ours will pull right out of this mess in no time!
Now I need your talents and smarts down here in Mayberry
Jakes last blog post..Why is it So Easy to Lose Weight?
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The Almost Millionaire Reply:
May 4th, 2009 at 1:20 am
Jake,
I know you have everything you need in Mayberry right now. (Especially knowing that XL may be on the way in the future.) You can take that town by storm!
The Almost Millionaires last blog post..Life is Good!
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May 1st, 2009 at 1:44 am
Nice post, You love your town, don’t ya.
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May 1st, 2009 at 2:15 am
I love your spirit TAM, knock’em dead!
You should consider writing the editors to share your reaction to their rankings and your vision for correcting the situation. Ask if they’d like to profile and track your efforts along the way.
Keep us posted as you reinvent the state one small town at a time!
Dave
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The Almost Millionaire Reply:
May 4th, 2009 at 1:21 am
That is a super idea Dave. I’m going to use HARO and try to make that happen. I have some connections there.
Thanks for the brain jog!
The Almost Millionaires last blog post..Life is Good!
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May 1st, 2009 at 5:48 pm
wow; but you’ve kind of proven them wrong, haven’t you? You should mail in your own case study or something.
MoneyEnergys last blog post..How To Start Thinking Like An “Almost” Millionaire: A Conversation with Franchise Operator and Founder of The Almost Millionaire
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May 1st, 2009 at 5:50 pm
Everyone, check out the interview I did with TAM over on my site! Post just went up today.
TAM, I can see you running for mayor at some point if you had the political inclination!
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May 4th, 2009 at 1:22 am
Thanks again for reaching out and doing the interview. It was great fun and caused my to answer personal questions about why I do the things I do…what drives me!
The Almost Millionaires last blog post..Life is Good!
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May 5th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Jackson is not only the worst town economically, but in every other way as well. I was born and raised here in Jackson, and I can tell you–you DO NOT WANT TO COME HERE!!! I manage a restaraunt and the job pool is horrendous. A lot of people that want to make $25.00/hr., and do minimum wage level work. I can honestly say that I would NEVER recommend anyone ever going there even to visit. Small town appeal?!?!? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! There is no appeal to this town WHATSOEVER! It is trashy, run-down, and it has no real recreational activities. Unless you want to get drunk. Oh yes, we have PLENTY of bars here. Stay away from this town if you want to make any money. And God help the poor sucker who starts a business here. I have watched the store in front of mine change names/businesses six time in the last two years. When the Big Three went down, it took all of Michigan with it.
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May 8th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
Good luck with the business. That’s pretty gutsy to want to start something with the news about Pontiac and Chrysler last week. I live in Royal Oak so I know what’s going on.
Brads last blog post..Weekly Workouts For 4-27-09 To 5-3-09
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The Almost Millionaire Reply:
May 8th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
Brad
Hey, Thanks for stopping by and for the encouragement. Royal Oak is a great city, and hopefully will not be hit quite as hard as others in Michigan. There is alot of diversification there…but I realize you too are very closely linked to the Big Three.
We just need to keep innovating!
Best,
-Brandon
The Almost Millionaires last blog post..Free Advice (Always worth what you paid for it)
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June 30th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
Hello webmaster I like your post
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July 25th, 2009 at 11:50 am
It’s very sad to know these facts in this time of distress.
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July 29th, 2009 at 6:56 am
this is good post I can see you running for mayor at some point if you had the political inclination
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August 11th, 2009 at 9:02 pm
It’s the policies in this city that chase away business, young mobile people, and intelligent/degreed people.
I’ve seen reports from some less than scientific sources that the average IQ here is 90.5.. pretty rough. I am in no danger of losing my job but find myself being worn out from work and then having nothing worthwhile to do once I’m done.
If you can leave you do, and I blame the city council, they’ve worked hard to make this town as “family friendly” and “elderly friendly” as they possiably can. Now that we don’t make anything in this manufacturing city.. the only people who stay here are those who can’t leave and those who have no business being here.
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The Almost Millionaire Reply:
August 15th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
Mike,
I hear your pain brother and am grateful that you are sticking around Jackson in spite of the challenges that you mentioned.
I sure hope we elect some leadership soon that will think and act WAY outside of the box and help get things turned around.
Peace, and thanks alot for the comment!
TAM
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November 12th, 2009 at 1:02 am
Just reading all of the previous posts and am wondering how things are going for you now?
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November 20th, 2009 at 5:05 pm
Things are certainly tough for a lot of people right now. I am so glad that I have a stable job and income and skills.
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December 14th, 2009 at 9:41 pm
Hiya … I stumbled on this oage by mistake. I was looking in Bing for Antivirus software that I had already bought when I found your site, I have to say your site is really informative, I just love the theme, its amazing!. I don’t have the time at the moment to totally read your entire site but I have bookmarked it and also will sign up for your RSS feeds. I’ll back around in a day or two. Thanks again for a cool site.
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December 18th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
Hi!. Thanks a bunch for the info. I’ve been digging around looking some info up for shool, but i think i’m getting lost!. Yahoo lead me here – good for you i suppose! Keep up the good work. I will be popping back over in a couple of days to see if there is updated posts.
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January 5th, 2010 at 6:22 am
:O So mush Info :O
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February 7th, 2010 at 4:34 am
I love your attitude. You can make it anywhere if the business is solid and stands on its principles. I wish you all the luck!
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March 8th, 2010 at 3:33 pm
That would be news worth reporting. Thanks for this article. Adana
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March 11th, 2010 at 2:35 pm
I agree with you 100%! Thanks for sharing this post with us. I can’t wait to see what Forbes will say about Jackson in the next 5 years.
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May 20th, 2010 at 6:05 am
LOL IM A JACKSON LOCAL AND I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS AN INTERESTING FACT. IF IT WASN’T FOR THE HUGE PRISON WE HAVE HERE THEN JACKSON WOULD BE 10X MORE DEPRESSING BECAUSE IT EMPLOYS SO MANY PEOPLE. IM A MICHIGAN FILM MAKER AND ITS HARD OUT HERE TO EVEN PAY A PHONE BILL.COMMING FROM JACKSON HAS REALLY TAUGHT ME TO GET MY OWN. MUCH LOVE EVERYONE AND I MAYBE THE NEXT BIG FILM MAKER ONE DAY AND PEEP ME OUT ON FACEBOOK AND SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL FILM MAKERS IN MICHIGAN AND WORLDWIDE —-> RYAN KINCH P.S. STAY POSITIVE JACKSON !!!!!!!
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June 27th, 2010 at 1:33 am
Great post}! i know you are the best writer. your post is well written and i think i will bookmark this site and share to my friend .. have a nice day
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July 13th, 2010 at 9:32 am
Well spoken my friend!
tottaly agree with this..
jus wish everyone else would.
make history with this page man.
take care.
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July 24th, 2010 at 8:27 am
Go for it! I grew up in Elkhart Indiana just across the border from Michigan and the unemployment rate is even higher than Jackson. It is, or was, the RV Capital of America. The Midwest knows how to build things out of nothing. People work hard and are proud of their work. With a little bit of tweaking, this is where the next wave of ideas will take root and spawn new industries. Here’s to reading about Forbes choking on their words in a few years.
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