Iosco Co. man passes through Oscoda County during 1,000-mile run
By Matt Keeton| Staff writer
OSCODA COUNTY — George Morse is running 1,000 miles for Michigan, five miles each in 200 towns and cities throughout the state, and Fairview and Mio have been checked off the list.
On Thursday, Aug. 5, Morse drove to Mio with a mission: to run through town with a video camera, visiting local businesses and rallying support for the state of Michigan.
Morse, an Iosco County resident, business owner, and personal development coach, made the decision to begin running throughout different communities in Michigan around two months ago. And for more than three weeks, he has been doing just that.
“I’m visiting 200 cities and towns across the state, running five miles in each,” Morse said. “I’m doing it to help shed some light on the situation that small businesses are facing in these times.”
Morse, who has been a small business owner for 17 years and a personal development coach for six years, said he knows and understands the problems businesses and communities within Michigan are facing, and wants to do something to help.
“It was one of those ideas you have, and you think ‘Wow, that would be a great idea,’ and you spend a couple days getting excited about it, and then you spend another couple weeks being a little bit scared about it,” Morse said.
Morse has been using his video camera to showcase area businesses and proud Michiganders on his website, http://thousandmilesformichigan.com.
“I wanted to keep a video blog of this journey and help communities and small business owners,” Morse said. “I’m finding out who believes in Michigan and getting it on video.”
With Michigan having the second highest unemployment rate in the nation, Morse said he knows and understands the hardships that small businesses and their communities face in Michigan’s current economic situation.
“When I go from community to community, I can see the toll it’s taking on the communities,” Morse said. “I love Michigan. I want to see us do better.”
Morse said that he believes that with a push in the right direction, Michigan can again become the great state it once was.
“There are thousands of small business owners who get up every day, go to work, and keep the lights turned on in their communities and in the state,” Morse said. “I feel like it’s the greatest story never told, and it’s about time small business owners are given some credit. I honestly believe that small businesses are going to play a key role in Michigan’s comeback.”
According to Morse, there needs to be unity within and among communities before progress can be made.
“It’s vital that we connect our business community to local leadership, with our service organizations, our churches and our schools,” Morse said. “We all need to come together. Not just communities individually, but communities within areas around Michigan are going to need to start connecting together. There are ways we can do it, but first we need to believe we can.”
Morse plans on running throughout the winter, and expects the whole project to take about eight months.
“One thing I hope to get across to people is believing in the possibility of your own success has a direct effect on how you perform,” Morse said. “I’m very committed to walking my talk and practicing what I preach.”
To follow Morse through his journey, visit http://thousandmilesformichigan.com
George- I see you will be running at 8 a.m. in Brooklyn. Can people join you? Where will you start?
I’ll be starting at the Chamber and I’d love to have people join me. It takes approx. 3 hours to complete the 5 miles as we will stop and talk with business owners along the way.