29Aug
Okemos MI – A Great Place For Families

The Village of Okemos redevelopment project is focused on two underutilized,vacant and contaminated blocks in the heart of Downtown Okemos. The project will bring significant jobs to the area,and increase the value of taxable properties.

The City of Okemos is a charter township and census-designated place (CDP) in Ingham County,Michigan. It has a total population of 25179.

Conveniently Located Between East Lansing and Williamston

Okemos MI,located in between East Lansing and Lansing (the capital),is a small city that’s a great place for young families or students to call home. This small town is a great place for young families and students to call home. It has an easy commute time and low cost of living.

It was a popular stop on the Grand River trail (which became the plank road from Detroit to Lansing in the 19th century) due to its central location and abundant farmland. The GM plant that was located outside the city has been relocated to Haslett,a nearby town.

The city has three shopping centers within 1.8 miles and five parks in close proximity. This is a car-dependent region,so you will need your vehicle for most errands. It’s also a short 8-minute drive to the campus of Lansing Community College,East Campus. The local library is well-stocked and has a wide selection of materials for you to explore.

Familie-friendly Community

The community of Okemos is a great place for families. The city has top-notch schools,a safe environment and plenty of things to do. Local parks are popular with kids,such as Wonch Park,which is located on the Red Cedar River and has volleyball courts and playground. Nancy Moore Park,Ferguson Park,the Michigan Women’s History Museum,and Belen Gallery are also popular parks.

Visitors can explore the history of the area in the nearby Meridian Historical Village. The Harris Nature Center,which is located near dense forests and lush fields,has more than five miles worth of nature trails. Okemos Farmers Market is held every Saturday morning.

Okemos has a 59.5% owner-occupied housing unit rate,with an average property tax of $8,055 as opposed to the national average $9,740. Okemos Public Schools serves the residents of the city. The school mascot is named after a Native American chieftain.

Great Schools

GreatSchools,which became a non-profit in 1999 with the aim of democratizing information on school choice that was only available in cumbersome spreadsheets found on government websites,set out to achieve this goal. It partnered with real-estate websites,starting with Zillow in 2012,and embedded its ratings on those sites because research has shown that schools are a major factor when families decide to move. GreatSchools draws a licensing fee from those partnerships,but that accounts for less than 20% of its revenue. The rest comes from philanthropy,including from foundations that support school choice.

But critics say the ratings have been biased toward schools with whiter,more affluent students. A preliminary study by Chalkbeat found that as the ratings system rolled out,areas with highly-rated schools saw a rise in property values and an increase in white,Asian,and better-educated families. The 2017 revamp of the rating system has lessened the correlation with demographics. However,the link is still significant.

Affordable Living

Okemos has a lower cost of living than the national average for housing,health care,and groceries.

Act quickly if you’re looking for an affordable rental apartment. Cheap apartments aren’t on the market very long. When you begin your search,create a list of your top features and be willing to compromise on those that aren’t essential to your quality of life.

The Okemos area has many options for income based rental assistance programs. You can find out about the waiting list and eligibility requirements by contacting local public housing agencies. Ingham County Housing Commission manages several programs including Low Rent Public Housing and the Housing Choice Voucher Program – Section 8. Find more information on their website. You can also find more information by visiting the Michigan Public Housing Authority website. Many housing agencies offer subsidized apartments to households that earn less than 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) within their jurisdiction.

29Aug
Houston’s Industrial Evolution: The Role of Managed IT

Oil rigs to data rigs: Houston’s industrial sector is evolving fast. Managed IT Houston acts as a catalyst. Explore this technological revolution now!

From Oil Fields to Digital Fields: Houston’s Journey

Houston,with its vast landscapes and towering oil rigs,has long been known as the energy capital of the world. This title,however,doesn’t capture the city’s dynamic growth and its pivot from traditional oil fields to the burgeoning digital fields. Houston began the shift in the late 20th Century when it recognized the potential and capabilities of IT to revolutionize energy.

The Role of Managed IT Houston in the Industrial Pivot

Managed IT Houston has been instrumental in bridging the gap between Houston’s traditional industrial operations and the demands of the digital age. With a focus on optimizing operations,reducing costs,and ensuring a seamless tech transition,Managed IT Houston has empowered industries to maintain their competitive edge.

They have a wide range of expertise,from implementing Internet of Things solutions to remotely monitor oil rigs to moving operational databases to cloud storage for real-time analytics and data access. What is the ultimate goal? The ultimate goal?

Success Stories: Enterprises Embracing the Digital Revolution

Several Houston-based enterprises stand out as testaments to the city’s successful industrial evolution:

TexEnergy Corp: Once reliant on manual inspections and paper reports,the company now uses advanced sensors and data analytics,facilitated by Managed IT Houston,for predictive maintenance and efficient operations.

GulfCoast Innovations : The company is known for its maritime solutions. It has leveraged IT to introduce digital tracking and autonomous shipping,reducing costs and increasing safety.

Such stories are just the tip of the iceberg,highlighting Houston’s industrial sector’s zest for digital transformation.

Navigating Industrial Tech Challenges with Managed IT

Each major shift brings its own set of challenges. Houston’s industries faced obstacles ranging from cybersecurity concerns to workforce training for new digital tools. Managed IT Houston played a pivotal role here,offering tailored solutions:

Cybersecurity: With industries going digital,protection against cyber threats became crucial. Managed IT Houston implemented robust firewall systems,regular patch updates,and employee training sessions to safeguard sensitive data.

Training & Support: Transitioning to new tools can be daunting for any workforce. Comprehensive training programs ensured that employees could harness the full potential of newly implemented technologies.

The Future of Houston’s Tech-Integrated Industries

Houston’s industrial industry is moving in a positive direction. The foundation has been laid,a vision for technology integration is clear,and the focus now shifts to leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) for predictive analytics,exploring blockchain’s potential for secure transactions,or even looking into quantum computing for complex simulations.

Managed IT Houston,being at the helm,will undoubtedly continue to guide these industries into an era where digital operations are the norm,ensuring Houston retains its title not just as the energy capital,but also as a beacon of industrial innovation in the digital age.

In essence,the synergy between Houston’s traditional industrial might and its modern IT prowess signals an era of unprecedented growth and opportunities. Houston,we have no problem. We have a revolutionary movement!

29Aug
Gaylord MI – The Crossroads Community

Gaylord,located in the geographical center of Michigan,is a planned community. Families and friends come from all over the country to enjoy its thick forests and sparkling waters.

The town’s Alpine theme was first embraced in the 1930s and continues to distinguish it architecturally from other resort communities. Downtown shopping is unique as is the local “Alpinefest” celebration in July.

Downtown Shopping

Gaylord MI has a unique downtown shopping area that feels like you stepped into one of Switzerland’s old town districts! There are many shops in this area that sell kitchenware,sporting goods and specialty foods. It also has a selection of restaurants serving North cuisine and alternative or international dishes.

The Alpine Tavern serves gourmet pizza,chicken,fish and sandwiches. The Alpine Tavern is a family-friendly restaurant with a wonderful alpine theme. On the menu,you can also find homemade pies and desserts. The restaurant is spacious and has plenty of seating.

Alpine Chocolat Haus offers chocolates,candies and caramel corn. There is also a bakery in the store. It is located in downtown Gaylord and has a variety of desserts that are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. It has a modern,casual ambiance with a variety of foods. The restaurant is well-known for its warm hospitality and monthly specials.

The Gaylord Golf Mecca

Gaylord Michigan,with its first-class accommodations and a variety of golf courses as well as the spectacular Fall Colors is THE PERFECT Fall Destination for Golf.

The Mecca flagship resorts feature a variety of accommodations and 17 golf course designs,including a Jones Masterpiece and Tom Fazio or Rick Smith courses as well as the iconic par-3 Threetops.

Black Bear offers 18 fun holes to players of any handicap and is conveniently located off I-75. The course is overlooked but has a fantastic layout. The trees are beautiful and it’s a fun way to get a little exercise while enjoying some great Northern Michigan scenery. This semi-private golf club was founded in 1924 and meanders its way through the hills,hardwoods,and other natural features west of Gaylord. The course is a semi-private club with private club conditions. It also features strategic bunkering,and perhaps the best green complexes in northern Michigan. Accuracy off the tee is a must. This course was a favorite for many of our travelers.

Otsego Lake State Park

Otsego Lake State Park,a popular family park with 62 acres,is shaded by large oaks,maples and pines. The campground is large with more than a half mile of sandy beach and large sites near or within sight of the lake. Most of the RV and tent campsites with partial or primitive hookups are large,flat,and shaded.

The day-use park area includes a swim beach that is universally accessible,a fishing platform and grilling areas. The park also has a boat launch that is ADA compliant. The Iron Belle Trail runs through the park and offers biking,walking and snowmobiling opportunities.

The campground is divided in two loops. The North Campground has a gentle rise to it overlooking the lake,while the South Campground has sites that are lower and nearer the water. It also boasts one of the newest shower buildings in the entire state system. The campground is pet friendly but pets must be on a 6-foot leash at all times.

Otsego County Historical Society

The Historical Society is a group of people interested in Otsego County’s history. It collects any material that helps to establish or illustrate the history of the county and makes it available for examination.

Early Otsego County was a center for lumbering with towns such as Quick,Hallock,Salling,Arthurville,Logan,Klingensmith,Sparr and Brown’s Dale forming around the industry. The logging business declined and these communities died out.

Railroad transportation also played a role in the county’s development. The county was traversed by the Michigan Central,Grand Rapids & Indiana,Boyne City and Gaylord railroads,as well as the Alpena,Gaylord,and Alpena Railroads.

The Otsego County Museum chronicles the county’s history from as far back as 1800. It opened in a new building on September 24,2004. The dedication was attended by hundreds of guests,including Kevin Feuka,Capital Consultants Engineers,Craig Sisson of the Historical Society and other speakers.

29Aug
Training Solutions Direct

MECsafe Limited – - are a construction safety,compliance as well as training operation that has been built on a sound foundation of expertise inside the sector.

We have been providing courses for well over 20 years.

As a result of our growth and the acquisition of key personnel and Accreditations we are able to offer a total one-stop Health and Safety Solution to our customers within the Maintenance,Engineering and Construction Industries. 

The Training Solutions Direct - internet site has been expanded by MECsafe Limited to provide Clients with a user friendly,simple way of sourcing and reserving their individual training demands. 

Just find the course you are looking for and send an Enquiry,one of our Advisors will speak to you to source the most suitable course. Alternatively,if you can not find the course you are looking for,please make use of the ‘Contact Us’ page to talk about your requirements in more detailed information. 

We offer courses all over the UK and have several Training Centre Partners. The training courses we offer at each location changes so it’s best to get in touch with us and see what we have at that time.

As regulations change we aim to provide the most up to date informed courses for the health and safety sector. We have years of experience and can provide one to one advice to make sure your company stays compliant with the latest changes in the law. 

For more information visit -