The Next Idea At this time of the year, we're hearing a lot about the economic power of hunting in Michigan. But it turns out that fishing packs an even larger economic punch. Fishing brings in about $2.4 billion to the state. Our latest guest on The Next Idea has helped to create something to help anglers come away happy when they set out on the water. And it comes from an unexpected source: your smartphone.

The Next Idea “Inclusion. Acceptance. Support.” That’s the mission of Play-Place for Autistic Children . It’s a 25,000 square foot facility in Sterling Heights in Macomb County, and there’s no place like it elsewhere in the country. Play-Place is a nonprofit that gives kids who are on the autism spectrum a safe, fun, comfortable place to hang out and play with others. For parents and caregivers, it’s a place to find “me-too” conversations with someone who is also going through the challenges

The Next Idea It wasn’t too long ago that the house located at 3347 Burnside St. in northeast Detroit was a true eyesore. Long since abandoned, it had been damaged beyond repair by fire and vandalism. There were boards over the windows and spray-paint on the walls—all the telltale signs of the kind of blight that has afflicted neighborhoods throughout Detroit. But stand in front of 3347 Burnside St. today and you’ll see something very different. Where once there was disuse and disrepair, now

The Next Idea I grew up in a family of migrant farm workers. Every spring, Dad would take the truck to the mechanic to make sure it was in good condition to make that 2,000-mile trip across the country to pick crops. I’d let my friends know when we were leaving, and when they could expect to see me again in the fall. I remember waking up to Mom yelling at us from downstairs to get up and get ready to go. We’d scramble out of bed, make sure we all went to the bathroom, and sit down for breakfast

The Next Idea One proven way to give local businesses a boost is by grouping them together and building a brand. Think Detroit’s Greektown or Corktown, or Little Italy and Chinatown in other cities. Jamiel Robinson is working to make that happen for black-owned businesses in Grand Rapids. Robinson is founder and curator of the group Grand Rapids Area Black Businesses .

The Next Idea It’s clear that Michigan’s economic future depends on turning out graduates who are strong in STEM skills - science, technology, engineering and math. Attracting and keeping girls in STEM fields is the mission of The STEMinista Project , founded by Michigan Science Center chief executive officer and president, Dr. Tonya Matthews .

The Next Idea One of my favorite movies from last year was The Big Short . It brilliantly explained many of the complex factors that set in motion the collapse of the subprime mortgage market. It also captured the arrogance of the age. But the movie got one thing wrong. It suggested that only a few insiders understood what was really happening, when in fact many professionals and academics knew as early as 2003 that a crash was coming.

The Next Idea So here we are at the end of one of the most odious and vitriolic campaigns in memory. Rather than adding yet more commentary, I’d like to dig deeper into a claim both parties make – that they will bring jobs back to the U.S. The question no one is asking is “where exactly will the jobs come from?”

The Next Idea Take funding from the Affordable Care Act, add a $70 million state innovation model grant to the state Department of Health and Human Services, and you’re about to see an ambitious new project that can change health care delivery in Michigan. It’s called Michigan’s Blueprint for Health Innovation.

The Next Idea The message we’ve been hearing in Michigan is pretty consistent: employers are having a hard time filling jobs that pay well – jobs that rely on skills in science, math, technology, arts and engineering. Chris Holman is leading a push to make mid-Michigan’s capital region a national leader in STEAM education and fields. Holman is CEO of the Michigan Business Network and the Chair of T3: Teach. Talent. Thrive. T3 released a report last week regarding the “ State of STEAM ” in mid