October 2022 Issue

You Call That 'Affordable'? Grappling with TC's ranking as nation's 'best affordable place to retire'

By Craig Manning

At this point, residents of Traverse City are used to seeing their hometown pop up on nationwide best-of lists. From television staples like Good Morning America and CNN, to online fixtures like BuzzFeed and Thrillist, a slew of recognizable media brands have thrown their endorsement behind northern Michigan over the years. But while many of those honors praised things about the region that few locals would argue with – like the ineffable beauty of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, or the simple joy of Moomers ice cream – Traverse City’s latest national honor has some northern Michiganders scratching their …

All About Old Towne: Telling Tales of Traverse City’s Old South Side

By Chris Wendel

By Marty MacLeod

Reviewed by Chris Wendel

It’s not often that I'm able to write in this space about local business history. The recently-released book “All About Old Towne” by Traverse City resident Marty MacLeod uncovers photos and well-researched stories that chronicle the foundation of Traverse City’s history and commercial success.

The book centers on the neighborhood located just south of the city’s downtown. Prior to the early 1960s, the area was referred to by …

At the Ready: Clark Manufacturing serves diverse customer base with talent and technology

By Clark Miller

A few common sense (yet well-executed) strategies explain why Traverse City-based parts maker Clark Manufacturing Co. has survived and thrived for nearly 50 years.

The company, located in a 55,000 square-foot facility on Aero Park Dr., has followed what might be called an organic approach, especially regarding capital investments and whether to expand (or reduce) employee numbers. Those decisions have been based on demand. If the workload warranted it, then it was time to hire …

Northern Michigan's Most Desperate Need? In-home senior care in the era of COVID-19, staffing shortages, and aging local demographics

By Craig Manning

Between an aging population and a growing demand among older adults to “age in place” in their homes for as long as possible, the United States could wind up being short nearly 500,000 home health aides by 2025, per an estimate from the global healthcare consulting firm Mercer. Indeed, according to Business Insider, the U.S. home care market is expected to grow from its $100 billion valuation in 2016 to approximately $225 billion by 2024 …

Clean Slate Act: Who qualifies for 'set aside' and what it means for our state’s labor force

By Taylor Ann (Anna) Fiorvento

Flying High: Why private aviation is soaring in the wake of the pandemic

By Craig Manning

'Incredibly Crazy': Dealers describe challenges, car-buying and the future of cars

Anyone who’s paid the slightest bit of attention to the auto industry over the past couple years knows things have been chaotic. The pandemic and resulting worldwide shutdown of businesses is still impacting manufacturing, with many parts, especially computer chips, in short supply. Prices for both new and used cars …

By Ross Boissoneau

Balancing Act: The smart phone is mightier than the bank branch for millennials and Gen Z; banks, credit unions work to adapt

By Rick Haglund

The Map is Not the Territory: It's Time to Focus on the Core

By McKeel Hagerty

Fully Charged: Maturing electric vehicle market sparks EV adoption in northern Michigan

By Craig Manning

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