I Hate the Word "INFRASTRUCTURE"

Why? Because words really do matter.

My perception of “infrastructure” is that it is so basic and so present and so uninspiring. No question it’s vitally important to employ people to fix our network of roads and highways, bridges and sewers. Lots of short term work for lots of people. But is investing so much of our Federal stimulus money in “infrastructure” really stimulus? If we are going to truly stimulate the economy in a more permanent way, then I would choose to invest in “RESURGENCE”. That’s a word that inspires us to invest in bringing us back and moving us forward with great energy, entrepreneurship, and incenting activity in the new economy.

Under that mind set, “infrastructure” projects would be the completing of the broadband network, further systemizing higher education, linking our port authorities to build a state-of-the art distribution system, building public-private partnerships with investors who want to help us diversify our enormous number of auto parts and auto supply businesses. Those are the platforms of a “resurgent” economy that will lift us up competitively. It will be a crying shame if we seek and take all that money from the Feds just to repair what we were versus invest in what we can be. Whether it be health care, education, or the economy, we need to “build” the next generation of who we can be, and resist trying to shore up what we were and obviously cannot be again.

Yes, our leaders will certainly hear the clamoring and feel the pressure to save the jobs or invest in industry ideas that are at or near death. But we should hearken to the new tone our President has set; a new tone of sincerity, candor, and the blunt truth - a new tone our Governor has embraced as well. So, we cannot pretend that we can return to the old way and the old industries. We can’t keep writing new chapters to an old story about us being leaders of the Industrial Revolution. This crisis brings to us opportunity. If we are smart in appealing to the Feds to help us build the future, the Midwest region can attract more than our share of funds, including dollars from the private sector to help us retain and attract the leaders of this next economic revolution.


David Milenthal is CEO and founder of The Milenthal Group – a strategic marketing firm focused on helping "game changers" transition from ideation to commercialization, or from public unawareness to mass movement by helping develop their missions, create brands, establish persuasive selling propositions and find a powerful voice in today's new ideology and new economy.