Welcome to Project: Michigan

It hasn't been an easy go around for Michigan lately. The economic climate has the state teetering on the edge of uncertainty and with unemployment at an all-time high, many have fled their hometowns for other parts of the country in hopes of starting anew.


But it doesn't stop there. Michigan has become a popular punching bag in the media, taking blows from the 24-hour news cycle, late night comedy and jaw-dropping documentaries.


And yet, there are those who are staying put. These people have chosen to fight along side Michigan rather than run away from it. Whether they are setting up shop, using the state's resources to cultivate crops or simply hanging tough, there is no doubt that these Michiganders have a multitude of stories to tell.


This is what Project: Michigan is all about.


As a lifelong resident of the state, I have been gifted a truly unique living experience, thus spawning the inspiration for this master's thesis project. Wineries and pasties, parks and trails, endless bodies of water, picturesque seasons and Tigers games under the lights in early September. It is my love for my home state and the boundless curiosity of my inner journalist that has driven me to find out the answer to the ultimate question: What keeps people in Michigan?

       The grapes of Chateau Chantal Winery in Traverse /Samantha Franz 

To learn the answer, I will travel to five regions of Michigan: Detroit, the West Side, the Thumb, the North and the Upper Peninsula and document my travels and the stories I hear with the help of virtual journalism. I will be blogging my adventures here, as well as posting photo galleries and video interviews on my corresponding website.


While I definitely have some places to go in mind, it is the anticipation of the unknown that is generating the most excitement. There so many roads less traveled in Michigan that go far beyond the news lens and  guidebooks and it is these blue-plate diners, offbeat festivals and unique personalities that I look forward to discovering the most.


So, with introductions aside, let me welcome you once again to Project: Michigan! In the coming weeks, I will begin my travels across the state, so be sure to check back for updates.


Thanks for reading!

Comerica Park in Downtown Detroit, home to many a 

memory/Samantha Franz