National Media Covers Small Business, Literacy, and Jobs in Detroit

A couple media outlets visited Detroit recently to look at some of the smaller efforts around the city that are making a big impact. They put a pretty positive - and realistic - spin on our fair city.

First, CNBC took a look at TechTown, Good Cakes and Bakes, Detroit Denim, how people can't keep up with all the restaurant openings, the rise of small businesses, and downtown revitalization (that's a lot for a short piece). One part to note,

"Separately, the 7.2 SQ MI Report from February 2015, covering Greater Downtown Detroit, finds that as of 2014, there has been an increase of more than 100 businesses, including restaurants and outdoor patios, since 2013. Overall, there are 378 restaurants in the city, and residential rental units in both downtown and midtown Detroit were nearly 100 percent fully occupied between 2013 and 2014."

You can read the whole article here, and watch the short clip below.

Katie Couric also visited recently as part of her Cities Rising: Rebuilding America series, where she looks at urban centers that are adapting and changing. This piece goes more in depth, looking at issues such as literacy, safety, and jobs. She visits with InsideOut: Literary Arts Project, Detroit SOUP, Reading Works, and Shinola. It's worth a watch to see some of the larger issues in the city and how individuals and organizations are working to reverse these problems.

• Motor City's all-American small-business comeback [CNBC]
• How Motor City Is Shifting Gears [Yahoo News]