Google in Michigan

I read on annarbor.com today that Google estimates their ecomomic impact on Michigan is approx. 906 million.  Now, this report is from Google itself.  They arrived at this figure saying their clients get a 2 to 1 return on their investment.  In their "Economic Impact Report" they highlighted their impact on Zingerman's.  According to the report, Zingerman's mail order business reports a 4 to 1 return on their investment.  Now, have you ever been to Zingerman's Deli, Roadhouse or Bakehouse and not seen lines out the doors???????  Have you ever seen them NOT busy?   I realize that the report is referencing the mail order business and not the resturants but Zingerman's was a very successful company to begin with. 
When Google first located offices in Ann Arbor they said that they were going to hire 1000 new employees by 2011; so far they have approx. 200 and 2011 is now less than a year away. 
I in no way mean to criticize Google as I was happy to hear that they were locating a new office in Ann Arbor.  Any new jobs are good for a city.  Two hundred jobs is substantial. 
I don't know much about economic impact reports but do companies usually make their own economic impact reports?  Are there guidlines?  How do they arrive at an economic impact other than how much they pay their employees? 
So far no one has commented on the story online.  It will be interesting to see what people have to say. 

Introducing me

Hi, my name is Lorenda!
I'm in college to change careers.  I am working toward becoming a Respiratory Therapist.  I am currently an EMT-Specialist and work on an ambulance.
My daughter and I are both in this class.  She is a student at Central Michigan University and is taking two classes at JCC this summer. 
This is my fifth semester.  I am working part time and going to college part time.  I started a blog shortly after making the decision to go back to school as a way to reflect on the craziness of going to college, working part time and keeping up with my favorite activity, running, so I have been blogging for awhile.
I love running!  I am running a marathon on Saturday of Memorial Day weekend in Traverse City.  I decided to do this marathon last November and signed up in January.  It is hard to believe that it is now only 6 days away!  It was a long winter.  After the marathon I will take it easy for a few weeks and recover and then I will begin training for my next marathon which will be October 17th in Grand Rapids.  I ran the Grand Rapids marathon two years ago and am excited to run it again.
I also enjoy biking and kayaking.  I love reading although I have not had much time to read books since I've been going to college.  I am looking forward to reading books again after I graduate.  
I have been thinking about the topics that I will write my papers on.  I will be writing about health related topics.  I may write one of them on running and it's health benefits.

See you in class on Tuesday!!

Lorenda

I'm From...

I am from country roads, cows and chickens in the yard and a dial phone on the wall.

I am from flying in an airplane with my Dad to Mackinac Island for the day.

I am from adding up miles of bike riding and running during the summer.

I am from dresses sewn by my Grandmother.

I am from a house with no television but a large yard, acres of fields and woods and a great big barn that entertained us beter than a television could have.
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This blog is for my English class.  The class is a writing class and we are exploring many different types of writing including blogging. 
This poem was the first assignment for English class. 

 Lorenda
the oldest student in the class