Journalism students explore effects of recession on Michigan economy, and find some success stories

The Great Recession had one of its deepest impacts in Michigan, where automakers have struggled and residents have fled cities such as Detroit to find a more promising future somewhere else. Business-journalism students at Central Michigan University are scouring the state in search of stories about the economic hardships people have faced, while writing about people, or towns, that are finding ways to help Michigan get back on its feet, reports Micheline Maynard for Forbes. (Photo by Reinventing Michigan: Monroe Family Organics used seven acres last season to grow crops such as sweet corn, radishes, broccoli, peppers, bok choy, tomatoes and baby leaf lettuce. )

Maynard, an author, blogger, and journalist who has written for The New York Times, served as a visiting professor at CMU, and this week announced the program, called Reinventing Michigan. Each of the stories takes a look at one town or group of people, showing how the economy has been affected by the recession. Examples include the industrial town of Greenville, which lost its main source of business, and stories highlighting how residents have helped try to re-shape their local economy, such as one detailing how an organic farmer in Alma has created a new market in the area, Maynard reports.