We're Better Together!

Jackson has been vying to be part of Michigan’s commuter/high speed rail system, targeted to connect major cities such as Detroit, Ann Arbor, Lansing and Chicago. Jackson Citizen’s for Economic Growth’s commuter/High Speed Rail Committee is working to ensure that our community does not get left by the wayside as the system gets put into action.

Jackson has been a railway town since 1841.  We have had a regional railway hub since 1872 when our current hub  was built by the Michigan Central Railway to replace an existing hub that was built in 1841.  In 2002, Jackson's own railway depot located at 501 E. Michigan Avenue was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.  Today, we have the oldest, continuously operating depot in the United States.

In 2004, when Michigan began studying the feasibility of a high speed rail system, Jackson was initially under consideration for a Jackson-to-Lansing run on the existing tracks. When the study indicated that ridership on that run would be low, Jackson was dropped from the project. The study was not comprehensive, according to Tom Grace, chairman of JCEG’s High Speed Rail Committee and past President/CEO of the Michigan State Trust for Railway Preservation.

According to the US Census Bureau, Jackson's traveling work force, 16 years of age and older is equal to 70,317 people.  Of that 70,317 commuters, 53,390 live and work in Jackson County leaving 16,927 that commute outside of Jackson County. A pilot survey from major employers in the Jackson area shows that over 13,000 employees/students commute daily using I-94 to and from Jackson County leaving the remaining commuters to car poole or use other means of commuting.

Jackson’s state legislators are already on board with the commuter/high speed rail project. The next step is to convince our Governor to add Jackson back into the mix allowing us to be a stop on project.

In addition to higher ridership, Jackson has another important asset: a rail yard at the east end of town that could be used for train repair and service. “We have plenty of room and track at Page and Elm,” said Grace. “Ann Arbor would have to build a rail yard at a cost of about $7 million.”

The Michigan Department of Transportation is setting the specifications for the rail cars to be used and is currently spending $500,000 to develop a prototype rail car. The cars, which will be built by Great Lakes Central Railroad of Owosso, must meet AMTRAK specifications. High speed trains will likely consist of five 85-foot-long double-decker cars with “head end” diesel engines contained within the car.

Jackson's State legislators are already on board with the commuter/high speed rail project.  The next step is to convince our Governor to add Jakson back into the mix allowing us to be a designated stop between Detroit and Chicago.  We also want the State of Michigan to consider our existing rail yard for repair and maintenance of all rail cars using this these lines as we already have the infrastructure in place.

Michigan recently received $300 Million in Federal dollars for this project and Jackson has everything that it takes from its current infrastructure to its ridership to be a designated stop on this project.   If you’d like to get involved in bringing commuter/high-speed rail to Jackson, please contact us at info@growjackson.com.   Get on board before we miss the train.

Jackson Area Youth Organization "JAYO"

This Youth Task Force was created a few years ago under the name of JCEG Youth Task Force with the following in mind:

• Involve young adults that are currently involved in leadership roles
• Look at what has been done currently in these leadership roles
• Coach and mentor young leaders to be stronger leaders
• Involes middle school children and young adults in current JCEG economic development projects
• Brainstorm on future development

JCEG still influences and works closely with the JAYO group, working on the development of a Centralized Community Activity Center.  This center strives to challenge these young people to think outside of Jackson which also includes how they can best  attract people internationally to our community.

The goal of developing a Centralized Community Activity Center is to provide a center for everyone to use that will offer many opportunities for collaboration in one place. We want to make it a magnet that will attract people not only on a local scale but international scale as well.

The facility will provide a great opportunity for research mining as we will be able to capture information on demographics, local businesses, etc. The center also has a mentoring focus along with educational opportunities. Education is the key focus as we want to inject the value of education into our young people.

The young minds of JAYO have developed a plan to install a zip-line within the Rando Activity Center (the RAC) to help encourage other youth to explore their fears and over come them.  

Get in touch with Doc Rando or Ted Christoff at info@growjackson.com to get your Middle or High Schooler involved in this great project that will provide a safe environment, with sound relationships and great role models.

Education Projects:

International Baccalaureate Program

Primary Years Program (PYP) 

JCEG has influenced the start of an International Bacceleaurate program at Sharp Park Academy located at  766 Park Road in Jackson.  This is only the 10th International Bacceleaurate School - Primary Years in the State of Michigan and the first of its kind in Mid Michigan.  With the collaboration of the Jackson Public Schools, the Jackson School Board as well as the Sharp Park Principle, Ellen Sequin and its wonderful teachers, this school has achieved the certification of the Primary Years Program (PYP).  They are now certified to teach the concept of "Global Learning".

The IB program teaches students to think for themselves therefore allowing them to continue to learn for life.  The IB program will allow students to become global citizens who will take leading roles in the way the world moves forward.  

Take a minute to view the video which explains the whole IB concept for the primary years program:

Visit the Sharp Park Academy at: http://www.jpsk12.org/Schools/SharpParkAcademy/tabid/180/Default.aspx

International Baccalaureate Middle School Program

It is JCEG’s hope to continue the IB concept well into the Middle School years on through to the 12th grade, allowing our youth to continue experiencing their education through the inquiry based learning concept.  The IB program offers a rigorous academic learning curriculum with a highly engaging learning environment that gives its students a sense of belonging in an ever changing and increasingly inter related world around them.  The IB program at the Middle School level continues to foster that a positive attitude toward learning that was first introduced in their primary year’s program. 

The ACT Project

It is said that economic development stems from human development and human development is achieved through education and health.  In order for Jackson County to achieve economic development it needs to increase its standard of living among the community population with sustainable growth from low income, to moderate income on up to high income.  Higher education is a key to achieving economic growth. 

The Jackson County’s education report card indicates a 16.3% college graduate rate with our current ACT test scores among students averaging between 18 and 19 out of a possible 36.  The American College Testing or ACT is a national college admissions examination that consists of subject area tests in English, Mathematics, Reading and Science as well as Writing. 

This test when taken by High School Juniors influences a college’s decision for entrance into their programs.  The lower the ACT scores the less likely entrance into college or the college of one’s choice is going to be.  Therefore ACT preparedness is necessary in aiding our youth to achieve college success and economic development within Jackson County.

Grace Academic Services is endorsed and influenced by JCEG as a program helping to achieve economic development within Jackson County.  Grace Academic Services offers a full range of student academic preparedness classes.  With its accomplished ACT prep courses, Tutoring and other services helping prepare our youth compete in a global economy, JCEG is honored to support Grace Academic Services.  Visit their Website at www.graceacademics.org or call them at (517) 795-2647.

Higher Education Project:

Higher Education impacts Jackson as it attracts firms and workers from other states, research and development spin-offs and other economic development.  Currently, Baker College of Jackson, Jackson Community College and Spring Arbor University have 12, 280 students attending their colleges with 1,250 employees support.  That is a $128 million dollar impact on Jackson County alone.

According to The Center for Michigan, in 2006 our state ranked 28th among other states with populations of 25 and older who held a Bachelor Degree.  Currently, only 16% of the adults over 25 have a Bachelor Degree or higher.  This is down from 26% in 2006 that held a Bachelor Degree. 

Visit the

Visit the Websites of our local colleges:  www.jccmi.edu, www.baker.edu and www.arbor.edu

High Tech Infrastructure

The F.O.C.U.S. Jackson Project

Today, the United States ranks only 28th in the world when it comes to Internet Speeds.  South Korea has an average speed of 20.4 mbps, Japan ranks second with a 15.8 mbps and Sweden has a 12.8 mbps with the United States lagging behind with a 5 mbps.

The faster Internet speeds are achieved through fiber optics, where its only limitation is the speed of light.  Currently, the lowest tier of Internet speed through fiber optics is 13.0 mbps.

There are thousands of miles of fiber already set in place throughout Michigan and hundreds of miles within Jackson County alone.  JCEG is leading the charge in its efforts to get Jackson County lit with Fiber Optics and offer a wireless network throughout our county.   They have been collaborating with service providers and infrastructure owners to provide a faster Internet speeds to all of Jackson County. 

Contact JCEG at info@growjackson.com to see how you can help push for the F.O.C.U.S. Project and get Jackson County connected to faster Internet speeds through the use of Fiber Optics.

Online Positive Media Outlet

GET READY ITS COMING!!!!

Jackson Citizens for Economic Growth in collaboration with other organizations are in the process of creating an Online Positive Media Outlet.  Soon, Jackson County will have a source for all the positive news about the people, places and things that impact our community.  Get ready for this Website to show case Jackson County and all the positive things that make us a wonderful community in which to live, play and work!

Smart Zone

Jackson Technology Park

JCEG is proud of its involvement in pushing for the Jackson Technology Park through the SmartZone initiative.  The Smart Zone is a technology center designated to promote collaborations between universities, colleges, industry, research organizations, government and other community institutions.  Jackson County was awarded the SmartZone designation in 2008 through the concept of helping to grow and foster technology-based businesses and jobs. 

The mission of the Jackson Technology Park located in Blackman Township is to support, retain and expand new and emerging businesses focused on life sciences, advanced manufacturing and alternative energy.  The ultimate goal is to transform and sustain the community’s long-term economic health and vitality.  In cooperation of the synergistic support network of Jackson Community College, Baker College and Spring Arbor University’s access to research and commercialization.