City of Troy Launches Online Tool to Support Business Growth

Many business owners get frustrated looking for reliable market research and advice online. The City of Troy, as part of their mission to support business growth and new investment, has teamed with award-winning technology firm Localintel to launch the Troy Business & Investment Assistant.

This online tool provides businesses, entrepreneurs and investors with information and advice in an easy-to-use format, both in English and Spanish. The tool makes it easier for startups, investors and existing businesses to:

• Research the city’s business climate, customers, competitors and workforce.
• Find advice on how to start and grow a business.
• Connect with resources and organizations that can help them succeed.

“This Assistant provides businesses with access to valuable information and highlights the essential concepts required to ask the right questions, use data effectively and make better business decisions,” said Glenn Lapin, Economic Development Specialist for the City of Troy. “This will be a valuable resource for our business community and will make Troy more attractive to outside companies.”

Localintel will update the data within the Assistant routinely so users can rely on accurate, current information.

“Data is this century’s most valuable resource and the Business & Investment Assistant is a great example of how Troy is harnessing it to strengthen the City’s economy and help the business community prosper,” said Dave Parsell, co-founder and CEO of Localintel.

Visit the Troy Business & Investment Assistant.

Michigan Crimes and Tragedies

In March, the Troy Public Library will present two authors discussing their books about dark chapters in Michigan.

Tom Carr – MI Bad: Robbers, Cutthroats & Thieves in Michigan’s Past & Present – Monday, March 11

The Great Lakes State has seen more than its share of sensational crimes in the last couple of centuries. MI Bad shines a searchlight on several of the most jaw-dropping capers and rogues. Train robberies, stage-coach holdups, posses, breakouts and shoot-em-ups. The darker pages of Michigan’s past spring to life in Tom Carr’s MI Bad: Robbers, Cutthroats and Thieves in Michigan’s Past and Present.

Anna Clark – The Poisoned City: Flint’s Water and the American Urban Tragedy – Tuesday, March 19

When the people of Flint, Michigan, turned on their faucets in April 2014, the water pouring out was poisoned with lead and other toxins. It took eighteen months of activism by city residents and a band of dogged outsiders to force the state to admit that the water was poisonous. By that time, twelve people had died, and Flint’s children had suffered irreparable harm. The long battle for accountability and a humane response to this man-made disaster has only just begun. In the first full account of this American tragedy, Anna Clark’s The Poisoned City recounts the gripping story of Flint’s poisoned water through the people who caused it, suffered from it, and exposed it.

The events will take place at the Troy Community Center in rooms 304 and 305 from 7 to 9 pm. They are free, but registration is requested at troypl.org/calendar or by calling 248.524.3534.

A Free Cut: Black Michigan Barbers and Anti-Slavery Activism

Come hear Michelle S. Johnson, PhD tell the story of how black barbers mobilized to challenge the political, legal and social systems of slavery. She will discuss George De Baptiste of Detroit and Calvin Hackett of Marshall, both significant in what came to be called the Underground Railroad, and the role of black Michigan barbers and their history of resistance. The talk will be on Thursday, February 21, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at the Troy Public Library.