Synopsis:

While Michigan may be facing the highest unemployment rates in the country, entrepreneurs are taking advantage of the times to jump start the economy. Companies are purchasing abandoned school buildings in Lansing, renovating the vacant properties and setting up new ventures. The adapted schools are seeing new life and bringing new opportunities to a community hit hard by the recession. Due to budget issues and decreased values, the companies are able to obtain the properties all low costs (significantly lower than if they built new) and get their operations up and running very quickly. Many of these businesses specialize in technology, helping the state to transition and diversify its economic base.