Oakland University has unveiled its "Ideas to Business (I2B) Lab" in coordination with other university services to assist entrepreneurs.

The I2B Lab, a part of the University's School of Business Administration, is designed to connect OU student entrepreneurs with the resources thy need to take their ideas from "incubation to commercialization".

The lab offers a adviser program, team resource group, networking forum and a strong partnership with OU INC, Oakland University's own SmartZone business incubator.  The I2B and OU INC are prime examples of the powerful tools that our state's institutions of higher learning can, and are bringing to the table to work in coordination with other efforts to re-energize Michigan's economy.

Working to develop entrepreneurs and and utilizing our strong higher education system are two assets of the League's "Center for 21st Century Communities" program.  Congratulations, OU!

Arnold Weinfeld is Director of Strategic Initiatives and Federal Affairs for the Michigan Municipal League. He can be reached at 517-908-0304 or by e-mail.

A new on-line magazine from the Center for Michigan, "Bridge", has hit the world wide web.

The publication produces content throughout the week with a focus on six key aspects of life in Michigan, several of which have been key elements in the League's public policy and advocacy message such as quality of life, and talent and education. Other focal points include success, the economy, the public sector and the safety net.

As noted on its website, the goal of Bridge is to better inform Michigan's private citizens so as to encourage a vibrant state in both the private and public sectors.

Arnold Weinfeld is Director of Strategic Initiatives and Federal Affairs for the Michigan Municipal League. He can be reached at 517-908-0304 or by e-mail.

LANSING - The League held its first-ever Twitter Talk on transportation today at the Lansing office. Using new communication tools was a great way not only to spread the message, but to encourage participants to also think about the topic itself in new and innovative ways.

The dialogue was fast and furious, and was being echoed across the state in "real time" on Twitter. Much of the focus was on the need to develop a new dialogue that looks not only at how much we're spending, but on how and where we're spending it, at a time when people are re-designing their relationships to work and community.

Interesting fodder came from all the panelists, on topics like making sure public transit actually connects people to their jobs, and how safety and efficiency must be cornerstones to any successful transportation system. Some of the organizations tweeting and retweeting today included the Project for Public Spaces (an international nonprofit); Transport 4 America, a nationwide coalition focused on creating a national transportation program for the 21st century; Rustwire; Friends of Transit; and League of Michigan Bicyclists.

Hopefully the ripple effect will reach to the governor's office and beyond, showing that Michigan is engaged and energized on the subject of creating a new vision for Michigan's transportation system.

 Read more about the Michigan's Transportation Vision: A Twitter Talk on Twitter @letsavemich and @mmleague and the hashtag #mitransvision and here on this website.

Have a passion for engaging and educating youth?  As a local official are you working to improve the lives children, youth and families in your community?  Then the National League of Cities Institute for Youth, Education and Families is a great place to keep up to date with what your peers across the country are doing.

The IYEF is a excellent resource that provides educational and networking opportunites in a number of critical areas including early childhood, afterschool, at-risk youth, and youth civic engagement to name a few.  A list-serve is available that provides regular updates on programming and events. 

From more information, visit the IYEF website or contact Michael Karpman at NLC.

Arnold Weinfeld is Director of Strategic Initiatives and Federal Affairs for the Michigan Municipal League. He can be reached at 517-908-0304 or by e-mail.