Welcome to Curated Morning. A compendium of news, information, and stories that economic development professionals, community development leaders and elected officials read every week to stay in touch with what is happening in our economy.

The Main Thing:

Cleaning up after someone doesn't seem like it would hold the key to lifelong learning and productivity. People leave a mess behind, and you have to clear the dishes as a busboy. Back when I started, there were dirty ashtrays, too (in ancient times, people smoked before and after meals in a restaurant…shocking!).

As I turned the task of cleaning into a game, I actively sought the approval of the waitresses, the hosts, and the restaurant owners. Their immediate feedback was crucial in my learning process and significantly boosted my productivity. I had a clear goal: to set a clean and pristine table for the next customers. I truly loved my job.

I should mention that I got free pizza at the night's end—another motivating factor.

When I reflect on those days and the work I've done over the past three decades, I'm struck by its simplicity. The straightforward nature of the tasks made productivity a breeze.

Is the world complicated now? Has my world become complex? I suppose as complex as I want it to be. But the key to managing this complexity is 'Flow'. Doing the work boils down to completing a straightforward task at a time, and getting into 'Flow' is the key to it all.

I trust you found this five-part series insightful. Stay tuned for more updates about this newsletter and how you can enhance your productivity and make a meaningful impact in your world.

​Read the blog post here.​

Focus On Technology

Detroit's Dilemma: Invest in Tomorrow or Weather Today's Storm?

In the article Another possible casualty of Trump’s trade war? EV and AV innovation (by Jordyn Grzelewski in TechBrew) we learn that automakers face a critical decision point as tariffs and economic uncertainty collide with their ambitious technology roadmaps. With Trump's 25% duty on vehicle imports threatening already-thin profit margins, manufacturers who've committed hundreds of billions to EVs and autonomous vehicles must decide whether to stay the course or pull back on innovations that haven't yet delivered returns.

Why This Matters: Economic developers should recognize that this inflection point will reshape automotive investment patterns across communities nationwide. The "compounded volatility" from tariffs, supply chain issues, and technology transitions is forcing a fundamental business model reassessment that goes beyond typical cost-cutting cycles. Communities that have attracted automotive investment based on EV or autonomous vehicle initiatives may see delayed timelines or scaled-back commitments.

Take Action: Evaluate your region's current automotive supply chain exposure to understand which local businesses might face pressure from OEM cost-cutting. Consider establishing workforce development programs focused on the intersection of traditional manufacturing and emerging automotive technologies to provide companies with talent that can drive efficiency.

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Engineering Victory: Wisconsin's $420 Million Campus Gamble Pays Off After Political Standoff

The University of Wisconsin-Madison finally broke ground on its ambitious new 395,000-square-foot Phillip A. Levy Engineering Center following a contentious political battle. The $419.8 million facility, partially funded by $226.4 million from the state, will transform a 2.5-acre site at the heart of the engineering campus and dramatically expand the school's capacity. According to the article, UW-Madison breaks ground on $420M engineering center (by

Matthew Thibault, ConstructionDive) the UW-Madison engineering program can accommodate only about one-tenth of all applicants, but this expansion will enable the university to educate approximately 1,000 additional undergraduate students. The project faced significant delays when Wisconsin Republicans withheld public funding until the university agreed to limitations on diversity, equity and inclusion programming.

Why This Matters: This development highlights the complex intersection between higher education infrastructure needs, workforce development, and political ideology that economic developers increasingly navigate. The project demonstrates how critical educational capacity expansions can become entangled in broader cultural and political debates, potentially delaying economic growth opportunities.

Take Action: Identify critical workforce gaps in your region that could be addressed through educational infrastructure expansions. Develop comprehensive economic impact studies that quantify both the construction benefits and long-term workforce development outcomes of proposed educational facilities.

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Glass Acts: Ceramic Storage Tech Survives Boiling, Baking, and Could Revolutionize Data Archiving

German startup Cerabyte is putting traditional data storage solutions to shame with its revolutionary ceramic-on-glass technology. In The future of data storage might be ceramic glass that can last thousands of years ( by Skye Jacobs, TechSpot) we learn that the company’s storage medium emerged with data fully intact after being boiled in salt water (long enough to corrode the kettle itself) and baked in a pizza oven at 250°C. Founded in 2022, the company's technology etches data into an ultra-thin ceramic layer just 50-100 atoms thick applied to glass substrates. The technology promises a remarkable 5,000-year lifespan and aims to reduce archival storage costs to less than $1 per terabyte by 2030.

Why This Matters: Economic developers should recognize this technology as a potential game-changer for regions looking to establish data infrastructure leadership. Communities that position themselves at the forefront of next-generation archival storage could attract substantial investment in data centers, advanced manufacturing, and associated industries.

Take Action: Identify existing ceramic manufacturing expertise in your region that could be leveraged for this emerging technology. Contact local universities or research institutions to explore partnerships focused on advanced materials and optical data storage systems. Conduct a comprehensive assessment of your region's potential for sustainable data infrastructure, highlighting reduced energy requirements from technologies that eliminate migration cycles.

Other Articles of Interest this week:

AI -- Microsoft’s future of work report envisions every office employee as an AI agent supervisor by Patrick Kulp | TechBrew -- The company laid out a vision for the workplace of the future.

Economic Development-- The Hidden Challenges of Data Center Site Selection & What Developers Need to Know by Colliers Engineering & Design -- The data center boom is creating new opportunities for land developers – but also new complexities. As demand surges, securing the right site isn’t just about land availability. Developers must navigate power constraints, water usage concerns, regulatory approvals, and community pushback, all while keeping demanding project timelines on track.

Green Economy-- Inside Amazon’s blueprint for cutting building emissions by Heather Clancy | Trellis -- The company is switching to lower-carbon construction materials, prioritizing natural refrigerants and using AI to fine-tune energy and water consumption, for starters.

Leadership -- 5 Key Leadership Principles That Drive Real Results by Maria Cho | Entrepreneur -- Here's what great leadership really looks like in practice, according to a top female biotech leader.

Mentoring-- Everyone Needs a Mentor — But Being a Mentor Is Just as Important. Here's Why by Aytekin Tank | Entrepreneur -- Mentorship isn't just about sharing knowledge. Here's why mentoring others could be your most valuable growth tool as an entrepreneur.

Something You Should Read:

Do you yearn for a nomadic life? During my career as an economic developer, I often enjoyed taking a few days before or after a business trip to explore new places. I enjoy traveling, seeing new places, and meeting new people.

Due to this strategy, I have seen amazing places like Joshua Tree National Park, Sausalito, California, taken a quick and hurried trip to Key West, and enjoyed the giant waves near Half Moon Bay, California and the amazing California coast around Big Sur. I have traveled to many places in the United States. I have set foot in 49 states in my lifetime, the one omission being Hawaii. I have even traveled numerous times to what may become our 51st state, Canada, and to our neighbor to the south, Mexico.

Just kidding about the Canada statement. I don't expect them to become our 51st State anytime soon.

Traveling and being in different places, seeing how people live, noticing the various landscapes, and experiencing events is liberating and helpful, particularly if you are stuck in an existential crisis. Are you in that place right now?

Pack your bags and take a trip. Go somewhere or travel in a way that you usually don’t travel. Being accustomed to business hotels and urban settings inspired me to spend about four days in a “glamper” in the desert outside Tucson one year. You can do it too.

Here is a story about someone who gave it all up for a nomadic lifestyle, even overcoming debilitating mental issues while doing it. Enjoy reading the article here and get your travel nomad mojo on.

Overheard:

Human rights are not only violated by terrorism, repression or assassination, but also by unfair economic structures that creates huge inequalities.

Pope Francis

The Rabbit Hole:

Time is All We Have

I know this is not common (I'm hoping), but the other day, while in a hardware store next to high school, a young person entered while waiting for a ride.

They asked the clerk. "Could you tell me the time?'

He said, "Ten after two," while showing the teen his wristwatch (an Apple watch with an analog face, not digital).

The teen responded, "I can't read that; just tell me the time." Again, the clerk said, "Ten after two."

Once more, the teen expressed their confusion, this time with a hint of anxiety and frustration in their voice. I couldn't help but intervene, blurting out, "It's two-ten," before they hurriedly left, muttering a quick thanks.

We all looked at each other and wondered if this person could not understand and read an analog clock.

The answer is yes. Reading an analog clock is no longer taught in some parts of the world, but it's a crucial skill that we should ensure our younger generations learn.​

It's a thought-provoking situation. Is this a sign of our species' progressive evolution, shedding unnecessary tools in the face of advancing technology? Or is it a step back? I'll be pondering this and I'm curious to hear your thoughts.

In the meantime, do you know all the abbreviations related to time and date abbreviations and how they came about? If you don't and want to read an interesting explanation, you will get what I "mean" in this article. (puns intended, lol).

Also, if you have a young kid or grandchild, teach them to read analog clocks. It's not just about avoiding embarrassment in a hardware store, but also about being prepared for any situation, like when your digital clock fails.

Irregardless, I Deboned the Fish, Hoping it was Inflammable

Did that headline catch your eye? What is common among the words in that headline? Do you know?

Linguists and grammar gatekeepers don't consider irregardless, deboned, and inflammable legitimate words. They mean the same thing as regardless, boned and flammable.

They say there is no need for the prefixes.

About twenty years ago, I hired a person straight out of undergrad as my executive assistant. She got the job because she liked to read and promised me that her writing skills were superior to anyone else's. They were, and I consider her one of my best hires ever. She did a great job helping me with the writing and communication we were required to do.

She also told me that irregardless was not a word. Since then, I have been careful always to write or say "regardless" rather than "regardless." I don't know if she reads this newsletter, as she is no longer in the economic development sector, but if you are reading this, "B," I finally one-upped you on the grammar battlefield! It's a small victory, but a victory nonetheless.

To see why I can claim victory, read this article .

P.S. Spellcheck keeps trying to have me change irregardless to regardless, but I'm not giving in that easily. It's like a never-ending game of cat and mouse. Lol.

To Grill or not to Grill, That is the Question.

The baseball season is in full swing, and it's a joy to see our team, the Chicago Cubs, leading the pack. If you are a fellow Cubs fan, you'll understand the mix of excitement and cautious optimism that comes with our team's success. We know that the bottom could fall out at any moment, but for now, let's bask in the glory of our first-place standing and hope for some solid relief pitching.

As I make my way to Chicago and Wrigley Field, my mind inevitably turns to the culinary traditions of baseball. The experience of enjoying a hot dog at an MLB Park, despite the cost, is a cultural touchstone that I can't resist. And the debate over how to prepare and eat a hot dog, a quintessentially American food, is a tradition in itself.

In Chicago, it is verboten to add ketchup to your hot dog. Just don't do it. Then there is the argument over whether it should be boiled or grilled. I like both, especially grilled. What about you? Do you have a preference? Share your thoughts in the comments.

So, if you want to do the grilling right, here is an article that will give you all the information you need to get it right.

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With over three decades of experience in economic development, public administration, and small business, I can now bring my expertise to benefit you. What are the issues facing your community? What obstacles are you facing in growing your business? Let's work on this together.

While I am experienced in a wide variety of sectors and issues, here is where my interests lie, and thus where I can benefit you most:

1. Organizational and Leadership Development -- Culture assessment, culture shifts, board and leadership development, mentoring, coaching, strategic planning, innovation, economic development education, and strategic foresight. Click here to schedule a conversation about how we can collaborate on this topic.
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If you have any thoughts or comments regarding any articles in this newsletter please feel free to contact me through email at martin@martinkarlconsulting.com.​

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