G-Sync – It’s The Exports, Stupid

A few months ago I wrote a column about the potential power of a cross-cultural exchange programming between Grand Rapids and Detroit as one way to strengthen our state’s economy.  I got a lot of nice comments, but nothing really happened.

I realize I am not the first and doubt I will be the last. In advertising there is a lot written about hammering home the message over a period of time to maximize the impact.

I followed this up in a interview with Michigan Public Radio on Three Things: How Would You Fix Michigan? interview in March.

This time with a more widespread audience, I again received largely positive feedback — although I was surprised at the small, but vehement group that nixed the idea.

Part of the problem I think has to do with the notion that metro Detroit gets more than its fair share of state tax revenue while contributing more than its fair share of problems to Michigan.  I do not share this viewpoint since I tend to see the best even in the worst of situations.

But regardless of how you view East-versus-West relations in Michigan, it’s clear metro Grand Rapids can never be an isolated market.  Like businesses have found decades ago, we live in a much smaller world now — and we have to learn to share.

For instance, Ed Niño, a hip-hop blue-collar artist with our local (and now Florida) record label 3sensegroup.com, is already gathering interest with hip hop publications outside the West Michigan listening area with his single, “Final Path.” This is right on the heels of the play that his latest single “Father’s Day” received on 104.5 FM WSNX.   

For those in the local music scene, getting anything programmed on radio these days is truly a miracle, and WSNX deserves much credit for its vision.

At Rapid Growth we have highlighted the creative rise of artist and designer Shelly Klein, whose K Studio has won the attention of everyone from Real Simple magazine to W Hotels to boutiques all over the world with her whimsical product line of pillows, bags, journals and wall art.

And just today as I prepped to pen my thoughts here, I received a tweet from Ralston Bowles celebrating the fact that he has once again been awarded a top spot on a European music chart devoted to Americana music.

So as we move forward as a community and a state, I hope we will take a moment to celebrate not only what we import, but also what we can share with other communities.  

The Future Needs All of Us (to innovate)

Tommy Allen, Lifestyle Editor
          

Email:  RapidGSync@gmail.com
Twitter Feed: @TommyGSync

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Photo provide by Terry Johnston

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