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All this year, Michigan Radio has been asking people from all walks of life what three things they think we can all do to help improve the state. It’s part of our series Three Things and it continues this morning with The Center for Michigan’s John Bebow.

John Bebow, from The Center for Michigan, begins by urging Michigan residents to support Michigan products which they see as indispensable to Michigan. “We all can think about what we value most in this state and support what we see as most distinctive and competitive about Michigan. That’s going to be something different for every person,” says Bebow.

Using the Pure Michigan ad campaign as an example, Bebow explains how Michigan residents can help get funding for the programs they support. “The Pure Michigan ad campaign is breathtaking,” he says, “but there’s been a squabble in the legislature on how to fund it.” Within hours after The Center for Michigan contacted residents via an email newsletter regarding the funding setback for Pure Michigan, Lansing received over 200 letters urging legislators to pass funding for the campaign. By the end of the day, the funding squabble was settled. Bebow adds, “It’s an example that citizenship is not dead.”

For his second idea for the residents of Michigan, Mr. Bebow calls for more optimism about the state and the economy. Bebow suggests residents take a step back and view the state’s economy in context. He says, “We get awfully hung-up about how bad things are right now… But we’re still a huge economy.” Citing Michigan’s agricultural, manufacturing, and technology-based economies, Mr. Bebow finds reasons to be optimistic. “If we were a country,” says Bebow, “we would be the twenty-seventh largest economy in the world. We’re not as big as we used to be, but we’re still huge.”

As to how Michigan residents can take advantage of Michigan’s economic strength, Bebow points to publications which focus on innovative companies in the state. “Consider The Small Business Association of Michigan’s, ‘Michigan’s Fifty Companies to Watch,’ which they publish every May.” Pointing also to the Great Lakes Innovation and Technology Report published by Matt Roush, Bebow adds, “He’s constantly featuring companies that are growing and innovating. Those are places to put your resumé.”

Trying to put the state’s economic hardships in context, Mr. Bebow reminds Michiganders that, “We can’t help the downfall of the auto industry. We can’t help the downfall of all this manufacturing. All we can do is make the best of it.”

Lastly, Mr. Bebow encourages Michigan residents to inform themselves about state political issues and the positions of their representatives. Bebow asks, “If the Governor knocked on your door today, what would you say to her? What would you ask her about?” Considering that this is an election year, Bebow thinks this question is as relevant as ever. “The legislators and the politicians are going to be knocking on your door this summer… What are you going to ask when they come knocking?” asks Bebow.

Referencing the information put out by organizations like The Center for Michigan and The Chamber of Commerce, Bebow wants Michigan residents to know that they can inform themselves quickly and easily. “In the time it takes to drink a cup of coffee in the morning you can really bone up and understand the big issues in our state.” In closing, Mr. Bebow encourages the people of Michigan to think independently, saying, “Don’t let talk radio, either side, don’t let them speak for you. Find out the issues and speak for yourself. If all of us did that, we’d be sending better people to our state capital.”