The Rural Insights Podcast

Please note: Due to technical difficulties, the first few minutes of our conversation were cut off. We apologize for this issue, and hope you enjoy the episode.In this episode of the Rural Insights Podcast, seasoned public administrator Scott Erbisch joins David Haynes to discuss the unique challenges faced by rural areas in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Topics discussed include air travel, broadband access, road infrastructure, housing affordability, and the impact of state and federal policies on rural communities. Scott sheds light on the complexities of managing rural public services and the ongoing efforts to improve the quality of life in these communities.

In this episode of the Rural Insights Podcast, host David Haynes is joined by Lois Ellis, Executive Director of the Dickinson Area Economic Development Alliance, and Elise Matz, Vice President of Circle Power Renewables, to discuss the transformative solar energy project at the former Groveland Mine site in Dickinson County.Discover how this $200 million investment is repurposing abandoned industrial land to generate clean energy, provide local jobs, and contribute to Michigan's decarbonization efforts. Learn about the collaboration with local townships, the innovative property tax guarantee, and the future of solar energy in the Upper Peninsula.

Join David Haynes in the latest engaging episode of the Rural Insights Podcast! In this episode, David welcomes Karen Ogle, a Marquette native who has built a distinguished career in the U.S. State Department. Karen shares her journey from her "lost years" in Marquette to her rise through the ranks of the foreign service, highlighting the mentors and experiences that shaped her path.Karen provides a glimpse into the life of a foreign service officer, from managing American citizen services to navigating visa processes in various countries. She emphasizes the importance of community, both in small towns like Marquette and within the tight-knit world of embassies abroad. The conversation also touches on the opportunities and challenges of representing the U.S. across the globe and the importance of diversity and inclusion in the foreign service.We appreciated Karen's insights into the unique career path of a foreign service officer and the impact of small-town values on global diplomacy.

Join David Haynes in this engaging episode of the Rural Insights Podcast, featuring a special edition of the Rural Voices series.In this conversation, David sits down with Robert Hilton, the Foreign Policy Advisor to the Chief of Staff of the Army and a Marquette native with a storied international career. They delve into Robert's journey from a history major at the University of Michigan to a distinguished 35-year service in the foreign service, discussing the transformative power of education and the values shaped by his upbringing in Marquette.Robert shares insights into the foreign service examination process, the diverse career paths available, and how his small-town roots have influenced his global interactions. They explore the theme of service in different capacities and contemplate the future beyond a career in foreign diplomacy.

In this episode of the Rural Insights Podcast, David Haynes and Student Researcher Brenna Musser talk to Representative David Prestin from the 108th House District. They discuss the top issues affecting the district, including the need for more opportunities, housing, and jobs to improve the quality of life in the Upper Peninsula.They also delve into the challenges faced by veterans in rural areas, the childcare crisis worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the shortage of healthcare specialists in the U.P. Preston emphasizes the importance of addressing these issues through policy changes, investment, and removing bureaucratic hurdles.Topics discussed include the need for more opportunities and revitalization in the U.P., challenges faced by veterans in rural areas and the lack of accessibility to advanced care, the childcare crisis and the need for regulatory reform to support cottage-style facilities, the shortage of housing and the impact of high labor and material costs, and the scarcity of healthcare specialists and the importance of attracting and retaining medical professionals in rural areas.

In this episode of the Rural Insights Podcast, David Haynes sits down for a conversation with Dennis Smith. Dennis is the President of Dennis H. Smith Consulting, a firm working in the Rural Healthcare space focusing on Policy, Strategic Planning and Advocacy. He’s also the former President and CEO of Upper Peninsula Health Plan and its related companies.

In this episode of the Rural Insights Podcast, David Haynes sits down with Kerri Schuiling, President of Northern Michigan University.Topics discussed include NMU's new mental wellness program, the transition to incoming NMU president Dr. Brock Tessman, childcare for faculty and students, the university budget, and more.Dr. Kerri Schuiling became interim president of NMU on October 1, 2021. The NMU Board of Trustees removed the "interim" portion of her title in April 2022 to recognized the extended timeline for the current presidential search. Schuiling previously served as the university's provost and vice president for Academic Affairs.  She is Northern’s 16th president.Dr. Schuiling is a 1973 NMU graduate. She also holds a master's degree from Wayne State University and a doctorate from the University of Michigan. She is certified as both a women's health nurse practitioner and nurse-midwife. She was the third nurse practitioner to practice in western Michigan and was the first credentialed nurse-midwife at Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids.When not on campus, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and family pets, and she is an avid downhill skier.

In this episode of the Rural Insights Podcast, David Haynes sits down with Dan Truckey, Director and Curator of the Beaumier UP Heritage Center at Northern Michigan University.Topics discussed include Truckey's involvement at the Beaumier Center, career paths for students interested in history and heritage preservation, the legacy of Dr. John Beaumier, and what we can expect at this year's Sonderegger Symposium.The Beaumier UP Heritage Center is a historical museum and educational facility that serves to promote and preserve the history and culture of the Upper Peninsula through an active slate of exhibitions and engaging public programs for the whole region. The center also collects and preserves artifacts related to the history of Northern Michigan University. Before returning to his alma mater, Truckey served as executive director of the Grand Traverse Heritage Center in Traverse City. Previous employers included the Sioux City Public Museum in Iowa, Noah Webster House, the Connecticut Historical Society and the former Catskills Entertainment Hall of Fame.Truckey is a folk singer-songwriter, and also enjoys downhill skiing, biking, hiking, playing tennis and spending time with his wife, Leigh Barry ('90)—whom he met at NMU—and their two kids, Thomas and Josie.

In this episode of the Rural Insights Podcast, David Haynes sits down to chat with Steve Young, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Northern Michigan University. Topics covered include NMU's search for a new President, and the various challenges facing higher education and how the board and NMU is addressing those challenges.In addition to Chairman of the Board of Trustees at NMU, Steve is the recently-retired owner and officer of the Lansing-based lobby firm Governmental Consultant Services Inc. Steve previously served as a Manager of Tax and Regulatory Affairs for the Michigan Chamber of Commerce. He was a political science major and Payne Hall resident at NMU in the mid-seventies, and left NMU to work at the State Capitol as Chief of Staff to a Saginaw area State Senator. Steve completed his bachelor's degree in political science and economics from Michigan State University.Mr. Young was appointed to the Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees by Governor Rick Snyder for a term beginning January 1, 2019 and continuing until December 31, 2026.  Steve lives in Lansing with his wife Tricia, and has two daughters, Jennifer and Stephanie.

In this episode of the Rural Insights Podcast, David Haynes sits down with Duane DuRay, Airport Manager for Sawyer International Airport--the Upper Peninsula's largest airport. DuRay has served as the Airport Manager since 2012, following his position at Gogebic Iron County Airport.Topics discussed include the challenges presented by the reduction in flights by American Airlines and Delta Airlines, the pilot shortage, the changes to the Essential Air Service, and how the Sawyer and Marquette County are dealing with these challenges.

David Haynes sits down with Brian Chapman, City Manager for Sault Ste. Marie to catch up on the latest issues surrounding municipal finance and rural government, including the issue of "dark stores" and the importance of intergovernmental work in rural communities.Sault Ste. Marie is one of Michigan's international cities, bordering Canada, and home to a large federal workforce involved with the Soo Locks, a major hospital (War Memorial) and Lake Superior State University.

David Haynes sits down with Gina Thorsen, President and Co-Owner of Stormy Kromer, one of the most well-known and successful UP brands and manufacturers--most notably for the original Stormy Kromer cap.Thorsen discusses her background having been born and raised in Ironwood, how her career got started, some of the unique aspects of the Stormy Kromer company, and her perspective on some of the issues facing the rural UP.

David Haynes sits down once again with Gary McDowell, former U.P. legislator, U.P. resident, and current director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD).In this episode, Gary discusses the newly-created Office of Rural Development, which was established this past January by Governor Gretchen Whitmer via Executive Directive 2022-01 and is organized within MDARD.The Office of Rural Development's responsibilities include collaborating with stakeholders on rural economic development, collaborating to facilitate rural affordable housing development, collaborating to facilitate expansion of high-speed internet in rural communities, and address ramifications of population and demographic trends in rural Michigan, among other duties.You can learn more about the Office of Rural Development at https://www.michigan.gov/mdard/about/divisions/mdard-executive-office/office-of-rural-development.

David Haynes sits down with Cheyenne Marlin, Assistant Director for the University of Michigan's U.P. Scholars Program. The program provides "substantial scholarship aid for four years of undergraduate study at U-M exclusively to incoming students from Michigan's Upper Peninsula." In her position at U-M, Marlin helps "develop, implement, and evaluate targeted programs and strategies to enhance student success for undergraduate students from Michigan's Upper Peninsula."From the U.P. Scholars website: "Cheyenne Marlin is an enrolled member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. Prior to joining the University of Michigan, Cheyenne held positions at the American Indian College Fund and the University of Minnesota, Morris, serving Native American and Alaska Native students in academic student success. Cheyenne earned a BA from Northern Michigan University and a Masters of Education from Grand Valley State University.In this episode, David and Cheyenne discuss the U.P. Scholars Program scholarship, what it covers, how students can apply, what the experience is like for the students who are selected to be U.P. Scholars, and how this program relates to other scholarships available to students.

David Haynes sits down with Karen Kovacs, the new City Manager for Marquette. Kovacs was officially appointed as the Marquette City Manager on May 24, 2021 and took office on June 7. The City Manager is the chief administrator for the city government and has a variety of duties including administering city departments, enforcing all laws and ordinances adopted by the City Commission, recommending an annual budget, implementing the final budget, and advising the Commission.In this podcast, Karen discusses her background, women in public administration and available resources for women looking to get into that field, the difficulty of finding housing in Marquette and what she's doing to help address this issue, and Marquette's revenue situation and what's being done and being planned to increase revenue.

This episode features Dirk Wierenga, director of Route 2 Elsewhere, a documentary which “tells the story of challenges that face rural America communities adapting to a changing economy, from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to Montana” and his colleague Paul Sturgul who helped promote the film.In this episode, David talks with Dirk and Paul about the documentary, their backgrounds, and aspects of rural culture and rural living as it pertains to the Upper Peninsula.

David Haynes sits down with Elise Bur, who was selected to be the first director of the NMU Center for Rural Health after the program received a $100,000 grant in 2020. The NMU Center for Rural Health is a collaborating center for the Michigan Center for Rural Health aiming to create an integrated health care network that better serves U.P. residents and improves their health outcomes, as well as to identify related academic programs to meet regional demand.In this episode, David and Elise discuss what the NMU Center for Rural Health does, the things it's responsible for, and ways they are helping people right now. They also discuss how the Center is working with local healthcare organizations, working to improve food insecurity in the U.P., and the efforts to impact healthcare-related legislation both in the state and in Washington DC.

David Haynes sits down with Dr. Coby Fletcher, Superintendent of the Escanaba Area Public School District. His district--one of the largest in the Upper Peninsula--encompasses a kindergarten center, lower elementary school, upper elementary school, junior high school, and senior high school, which combine for a total enrollment of 2,150 students, a staff of 280, and a $24 million budget. Dr. Fletcher discusses what led to him eventually becoming Superintendent of a UP school district, shares details on Escanaba's early middle college program, the initiatives they are taking to prevent high school dropout, initiatives to help improve students' mental health, and much more!

David Haynes sits down for another conversation with David Jahn, President and CEO of Chippewa County War Memorial Hospital. Jahn has been with War Memorial for 15 years, and prior to that he was CEO and CFO at Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital in Manistique (his hometown) for 22 years.David has his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Michigan Technological University and an MBA from Lake Superior State University. He is currently a member of the Michigan Health and Hospital Association Board of Directors and the Vice-Chairman of the Michigan Center for Rural Health Board of Directors.In this episode we learn about David's new affiliation with My Michigan Health, what the agreement will mean for healthcare in the Eastern UP, and also the details on the healthcare challenges the Eastern UP is facing right now and the efforts that are taking place to address those challenges.

David Haynes sits down with Ed Legault, Executive Director for the Delta  County Economic Development Alliance to talk about what's happening in his part of the Upper Peninsula. Ed gives a review of some of the great things happening in Delta County, including new buildings, new businesses, and new projects. Also discussed are the issues of housing, child care, and health care in Delta County and what is being done to address the challenges in those areas.