January/February 2012 - Talk to Gary Heidel for any length of time about economic redevelopment efforts in Michigan, and you’ll hear him repeatedly use terms such as “teamwork,” “collaboration” and “partnerships.” Heidel, executive director of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority since October 2010, says it’s going to take a variety of public and private entities working together to reshape the state’s economy.

Feb. 2, 2012 - Remember your first car? It was more than just a way to get around, it represented a new freedom and independence from relying on someone else to get you where you wanted (or needed) to go. No matter what kind of car it was or who built it, its roots spread deep in American technology and culture. A new auto-centric experience awaits visitors at a “destination” museum that lets you take some of their exhibits “home” with you via technology.

Jan. 19, 2012 - It’s auto show season around the country but at a small company in New York City it’s always auto show season – with the emphasis on show. Picture Cars East “prepares” cars – and trucks and SUVs – to be blown up or otherwise mishandled in movies, commercials and, increasingly, in music videos.

Jan. 5, 2012 - With the economy showing signs of improvement, the U.S. Small Business Administration has revisited an existing loan-guarantee program and made it simpler, more user-friendly for banks and borrowers and more relevant to the real world.

Dec. 15, 2011 - The used clothing business is counter-cyclical and counter-intuitive because just when you think people would be hanging on to the clothes they have, they’re donating even more to the charities that put them to use here or, increasingly, overseas. Jon Harvey is head of Central States Used Clothing, one of the behind-the-scenes resources in the charitable used clothing donation business. It turns out that used shoes can save the life of a kid in Kenya.

November/December 2011 - Scott Monty never imagined he’d be in this position — in charge of social media for Ford Motor Co. as the Dearborn-based automaker’s global digital communications manager.

Dec. 1, 2011 - With huge numbers of people unemployed and states strapped for cash, food insecurity – wondering where your family’s next meal is coming from – is a growing concern. Panera Bread, whose 1,500 bread-cafe stores are scattered throughout the country, is exploring one solution to the problem with its Panera Cares stores – part of a growing movement of community cafes that are very different from the traditional “soup kitchen.”

Nov. 17, 2011 - Women in the U.S., Afghanistan and Rwanda have “similar obstacles and we have similar solutions,” says Terry Neese, Ph.D., and she ought to know. She helps women in all three countries overcome their obstacles by providing solutions – such as advising them to get to know your elected officials, before you need their help. Using a university-based approach, Neese’s graduates include a member of the Afghan Chamber of Commerce and numerous successful women entrepreneurs.

Nov. 3, 2011 - You don’t hear much about streetlights. They’re just sort of ‘there’ – unless they’re burned out, an increasingly common situation in these days of strapped municipal budgets. Often, street lighting departments are encouraged not to fix the lights in order to save not only on the costs of replacing them, but also because a burned out light uses no electricity, another budget drain. New developments in LED lighting (the kind of lights you see more of in taillights of new cars and other places) are making their way to the streets – and to a warm spot in the hearts of municipal finance managers.

Oct. 27, 2011 - Many in the patent field are convinced the impact of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act won't be clear for many years. Much will depend upon how the details are implemented and interpreted in the courts.