Detroit

Staying in Detroit is quite an experience. Transportation is rudimentary and unreliable, streets count number of vacant spaces or even abandoned houses, and when you find the only one hostel in the city, only 4 people stay in there.

Yet, while the city's administration is incubating its plan for the day after, the city's inhabitants are firstly coming back to the timeless occupations and works, like farming and art, and dragging more and more energy and opportunities to the city.

For sure, Detroit is rebirthing, and the level of investments in real estate is significative of the boom that is about to happen in Detroit. Last but not least, this place marked me with its potential to rewire its talent pool toward digital jobs.

The city of the past is full of dreams for its coming future.

Grand Circus

I've never seen that much people willing to have a career move. Not surprisingly the new moto is CO-DING.

Grand Circus offer bootcamps to make any volunteer operational in programming. Either front end , back end or full stack.

Bus drivers, lawyers, real estate agents,... students or 50s, such a diversity of people has found a new interest in web design, app or marketplace development.

A fresh start for everyone !

Website: grandcircus.co

Remarkable places

Techstars Mobility

For sure, the Automotive industry will stay and prosper again, but it will go digital. The famous Techstars accelerator has established a new program to encourage the development of new mobility solutions.

As I said, public transportation system is awful there. Yet, new digital services like carpooling apps and other mobility solutions are converging to that place. And it is a bargain for the established Ford and GM that are looking for new growth engines through digital mobility.

Website: techstars.com/programs/mobility-program

detroit

The Greening of Detroit

I found this Non-Profit by chance, the ladies I met have been actually part of the French documentary movie "Home", by Mélanie Laurent.

After the fall of Detroit, the non-profit has expand its activity thanks to the time and energy of people - often left behind - willing to get back into some kind of work and also to gain to knowledge and skill about farming. The purpose of this association is bigger than only greening. It is educating the younger generation about the utility and the basics of farming. It is making people connected to their neighborhood. And it is creating jobs in the region.

Website: greeningofdetroit.com