Events

Educational Webinar: EV Charging Planning and Support

Please join us on Thursday, March 16th from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. for a Zoom Webinar.

Session

Michigan will need to gear up for Electric Vehicle (EV) production and purchase as successful project lands in recent months will see EVs rolling onto the roads at a rapid pace in the next few years.

The economic developers can be major players by knowing the dynamics of connecting EV charging stations for their communities. Do you know the difference between a DCFC and a PHEV charger, how much energy each will need, and where to access energy rebates?

Take advantage of this opportunity to learn firsthand Metro Detroit/Oakland County EV charging initiatives/programs and how they can be adopted in other Michigan communities.

Key points:

• Planning perspective (zoning, parking, permitting, etc.)
• Working with utilities
• Working with private companies
• Major considerations
• Best practices
• Funding Opportunities

Let’s work together to make sure EV implementation goes smoothly so Michigan can remain at the forefront of the automotive industry and be a great example of implementation around the world.
Niles Annelin, Policy Section Manager, Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT)
Chris Olzem, Mobility Innovations Coordinator, Oakland County

Thanking Our Sponsors

Anderson Economic Group

Since its founding in 1996, Anderson Economic Group (AEG) has become one of the nation’s most respected economic consulting firms. The company, which has offices in East Lansing and Chicago, offers research and consulting in economic development, market analysis, and public policy. AEG has conducted work for some of the country’s most recognizable companies, along with city, state, local, and national government entities, real estate developers, educational institutions, labor unions, non-profit organizations, automotive manufacturers, trade associations, and many others. Our team strives to provide clients with a thorough understanding of their market, feasibility assessments of proposed projects, trends in their regional economy, and the economic and fiscal impacts they can expect from economic and policy changes in the short and long term. The experts at Anderson Economic Group help guide decision-making, provide strategies to catalyze growth, and reveal economic and fiscal trends that will shape tomorrow’s development landscape. For a sample of our work, visit our economic conditions monitor and our automotive dashboard at AndersonEconomicGroup.com.

Please contact Cristina Benton, Director of Market and Industry Analysis at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 517-333-6984 for further information.

Cost

MEDA Members: $30
You must be logged in to receive the member discount. If you do not know your user ID and password, contact us at 517-241-0011 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Webinar Subscribers: $0 via subscriber discount code
Staff of organizations that are webinar subscribers can register for webinars for free using their organization's subscriber discount code. To become a Webinar Subscriber or to view a current list of subscribing organizations, click here. If you do not know your organization's subscriber discount code, contact us at 517-241-0011 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Non-Members/Non-Subscribers: $45
You simply register without logging in or applying a code. If you are interested in the discounts mentioned above, see Join MEDA contact us at 517-241-0011 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Recertification Credits

This event has been approved for (.5) continuing education credit for Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP) certification from the National Development Council (NDC). Use the form on this page to claim your credit.

Registration

1. Payment is required at registration. If you use a subscriber discount code to pay, be sure to complete the registration process (which ends with a thank you page).
2. You will receive a confirmation email after registering with the Zoom link. We will also send the link again about 2 days before the webinar.
3. Please register by Wednesday, March 15th at noon.
4. We will open dial-in 15 minutes before the start of the webinar.

Cancellation Policy: You must notify This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. of your cancellation 24 hours in advance of the webinar on Wednesday, March 15th at 2:00 p.m. in order to receive a refund.

Educational Webinar: Site Selection - Strengthen Your Rural Strategy and General Best Practices

This webinar was recorded on December 6, 2022, but you can access it anytime.

Session

This webinar provides a plethora of information and insights on site selection best practices. The Montrose Groups’ Rural Corporate Site Selection Guide is a framework for a successful approach to growing or expanding high-wage job creation and capital investment in rural areas. It includes substantial research on over 300 local and state economic development incentive programs.

For projects of all sizes, having the right information on hand, a direct and strong RFP, the right team, and proper tours can make a difference in landing a successful project or having a site eliminated very early on. Nicole Whitehead will share perspectives from practices around the state that will teach you what to add – and possibly remove – from your interactions with companies and site selectors.
Jamie Beier Grant, Director of Economic Development Planning, The Montrose Group, LLC
Nicole Whitehead, Site Development Director, Global Attraction and Development, Michigan Economic Development Corporation

Thank You Sponsors

GIS WebTech

GIS WebTech provides the most advanced technology solutions available for economic development and site selection. The company’s technology helps economic development organizations attract, retain, and expand businesses within their communities and helps corporate site selectors identify and analyze ideal locations. GIS WebTech is the fastest-growing provider in the market, and serves economic development organizations of all sizes, from small, rural communities to large states. GIS WebTech’s solutions are built natively on the Esri ArcGIS platform, the world’s most powerful mapping software, and include the most accurate demographic and workforce data available. For more information, please see www.giswebtech.com. Contact Ron Bertasi, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Cost

MEDA Members: $25
You must be logged in to receive the member discount. If you do not know your user ID and password, contact us at 517-241-0011 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Webinar Subscribers: $0 via subscriber discount code
Staff of organizations that are webinar subscribers can register for webinars for free using their organization's subscriber discount code. To become a Webinar Subscriber or to view a current list of subscribing organizations, click here. If you do not know your organization's subscriber discount code, contact us at 517-241-0011 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Non-Members/Non-Subscribers: $40
You simply register without logging in or applying a code. If you are interested in the discounts mentioned above, see Join MEDA contact us at 517-241-0011 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Access this On-Demand Webinar

1. Payment is required at registration if you do not have a subscription code.
2. You will receive an email with a link to watch the webinar after filling out the registration form below.

Educational Webinar: Small Business Closure Crisis

This webinar was recorded on January 24, 2023, but you can access it anytime.

Session

The term “Silver Tsunami" is associated with the potential loss of local companies owned by baby boomers in the next few years as these owners move into their retirement years. Some 80,000 small businesses are owned by individuals that will be retiring in the upcoming years which will significantly contribute to the Small Business Closure Crises.

Unfortunately, the vast majority of these business owners haven't planned for their exit from the company. This lack of planning can result in the businesses shuttering or being sold off to companies outside the local community. Many rural communities have a high concentration of aging business owners, which indicates that there is a high risk of losing those local companies. Exit planning is essential.

Departing business owners could explore an employee ownership exit strategy, which is a reliable option that could assure security for employees and their families. You as an economic developer can drive the change by being more knowledgeable about this exit option.

Roy Messing, Director of State Center Operations, Employee Ownership Expansion Network

Thanking Our Sponsors

Peter Bottini and Jeff Matzen are Partners at Fresh Water Ventures, a medium-sized equity investment firm that specializes in owning, operating, and growing companies in Michigan and NW Indiana. Since late 2019, they have purchased and manage 4 businesses. Fresh Water Ventures provides “transition capital,” mentoring the next generation of management while protecting the profitability and legacy of the previous owner. You can learn more at www.freshwater.ventures.

Cost

MEDA Members: $30
You must be logged in to receive the member discount. If you do not know your user ID and password, contact us at 517-241-0011 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Webinar Subscribers: $0 via subscriber discount code
Staff of organizations that are webinar subscribers can register for webinars for free using their organization's subscriber discount code. To become a Webinar Subscriber or to view a current list of subscribing organizations, click here. If you do not know your organization's subscriber discount code, contact us at 517-241-0011 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Non-Members/Non-Subscribers: $45
You simply register without logging in or applying a code. If you are interested in the discounts mentioned above, see Join MEDA contact us at 517-241-0011 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Access this On-Demand Webinar

1. Payment is required at registration if you do not have a subscription code.
2. You will receive an email with a link to watch the webinar after filling out the registration form below.

2023 Annual Meeting Committee Sponsorship Portal

Quick Links

Email Template
Potential Sponsors
How to Win a Free Registration
Tips

Sponsorship Report Quick Links

SECTION 1 - 2023 Current Sponsors
SECTION 2 - Regular Sponsors Very Likely to Sponsor
SECTION 3 - Past Sponsors that Have Expressed Interest
SECTION 4 - Potential New Sponsors that Have Expressed Interest
SECTION 5 - Committee is Contacting
SECTION 6 - Speakers/Potential Sponsors
SECTION 7 - Sponsored in Past/Would Like to Get Back (from 2020-2022 list)
SECTION 8 - 2019 Sponsors
SECTION 9 - Other Potentials
SECTION 10 - Likely Location-Based (from 2020-2022 list)
SECTION 11 - Have Said No for This Year OR Not Responding

Email Template

Cassandra will update this email template (and the linked webpages) regularly so you can just copy/paste, add your own personality, and send it.

Email Template

The Annual Meeting Committee of the Michigan Economic Developers Association (MEDA) has been hard at work planning the Association's 2023 Annual Meeting. The conference will be held August 13 – 16, 2023, at the Northern Center at Northern Michigan University in lovely Marquette.

The success of the Annual Meeting strongly depends on the backing of key partner organizations like yours that support the economic development community. MEDA - a 501(c)3 nonprofit - has levels of sponsorship designed to meet the needs of various organizations with several opportunities for recognition through printed marketing, website promotion, and most importantly, the opportunity to support vital training for Michigan’s economic development community.

I invite you to review the following web pages to learn more –

• MEDA Annual Meeting – Overview of MEDA Annual Meeting audience, location, and more: www.medaweb.org/annualmeeting
• Tentative Agenda – Overview of topics, speakers, and activities that the Committee is pursuing: www.medaweb.org/tentativeagenda
• Sponsorship Packages and Benefits – Overview of packages, costs, and benefits: www.medaweb.org/23amsponsorpackages
• Sponsors Already Committed – Overview of sponsors already committed: www.medaweb.org/23amsponsorspotlight
• Commitment Form – Confirm your sponsorship, pay now, or request an invoice: www.medaweb.org/23amsponsorform

If you are interested in sponsoring, you can complete the commitment form or email me.

I look forward to hearing from you! Please contact me if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Optional Add: I have copied MEDA's Director of Marketing, Communications, and Administration, Cassandra Jorae This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., to help answer questions about MEDA, sponsorship, or the conference.

back to top

Potential Sponsors

Use the list linked below to help generate ideas. The list has a mixture of past sponsors over several years as well as companies that we think would make great sponsors for MEDA.

NOTE: The list is only updated during fundraising season (January - May), so if you see a company that you would like to try and you have another contact person, reach out to your contact.

• Potential Sponsor List

back to top

How to Win a Free Registration

• See the Excel Spreadsheet “AM Sponsorship 2020, 2021, 2022.”
• If you confirm sponsors from outside of that list to the value of $1,000, you get a free registration.
• OR, if you confirm a sponsor on that list and convince them to UPGRADE to the value of $1,000, you get a free registration.
  • For example, if you confirm a Friends of MEDA ($600) from 2020 to upgrade to a Silver ($1,600) or Gold Sponsor ($3,000), that will qualify.

FAQ’s About Free Registration

• Getting sponsorship from your own company does not qualify.
• The free registration covers registration fees only, which include education, breakfasts, lunch, and receptions.
  • It does not cover hotel, events with additional fees such as tours, guest fees, or self-pay events such as meetups.

back to top

Tips:

• Start making your list of ideas now.
• You can start asking for interest at any time.
• Let me know who you plan to contact so I can update the report below for the entire Committee to check at any time.
• Heavy outreach needs to begin occurring in January and February.
• The biggest months for confirming sponsors are March and April.
• The average approval time for a sponsor is 2 weeks between the initial ask, follow-ups, needing approval on their end, and getting confirmation.
• Most sponsors are confirmed via email.
• I can provide any follow-ups. Feel free to copy me on emails to sponsors if you want me to follow up.

back to top

Sponsorship Report

SECTION 1 - 2023 Current Sponsors

Annual Meeting Sponsors

1. Agracel (Confernece Bag)
2. Ann Arbor SPARK (Bronze)
3. Battle Creek Unlimited (Bronze)
4. Central Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Regional Commission (Friends of MEDA)
5. City of Negaunee (Friends of MEDA)
6. Bedrock (Corporate)
7. Consumers Energy (Corporate)
8. DTE Energy (Corporate)
9. Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (Friends of MEDA)
10. Detroit Regional Partnership (Bronze)
11. Enbridge (Silver)
12. Fishbeck (Silver)
13. GreenStone Farm Credit Services (Friends of MEDA)
14. Highline (Lunch)
15. InvestUP (Early Arrivals Reception)
16. ITC (Silver)
17. Macomb County Planning and Economic Development (Bronze)
18. Mannik & Smith Group, Inc. (Friends of MEDA)
19. Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Bronze)
20. Michigan Economic Development Corporation (Corporate)
21. Michigan Works! Association (Breakfast/Coffee)
22. Northern Initiatives (Silver and Tour)
23. Norfolk Southern Corp. (Friends of MEDA)
24. Oakland County Economic Development (Bronze)
25. RACER Trust (Friends of MEDA)
26. ROWE Professional Services Company (Bronze)
27. Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership (Friends of MEDA)
28. SME (Bronze)
29. The Boldt Company (Bronze)
30. Travel Marquette (Gold)
31. Upper Peninsula Construction Council (Friends of MEDA)
32. Warner Norcross + Judd LLP (Opening Reception)

CURRENT TOTAL: $34,000

back to top

A name in parenthesis after a company name indicates who has committed to contacting the company.

SECTION 2 - Regular Sponsors Very Likely to Sponsor

• Butzel Long (Hali) $1,000
• Colliers International (Cassandra) $600
• McKenna (Hali) $1,600
• Michigan Gas Utilities (Cassandra) $600
• Middle Michigan Development Corp. (Cassandra) $600
• Northern Lakes Economic Alliance (Cassandra) $600
• PM Environmental (Cassandra) $1,600
• Rudolph Libbe Group (Cassandra) $1,600

ESTIMATE (BASED ON THEIR PAST CONTRIBUTION) $8,200

back to top

SECTION 3 - Past Sponsors that Have Expressed Interest

• AKT Peerless (Cassandra) $1,600
• Antero Group (Cassandra) $600
• CIB Planning (Cassandra) $1,200 
• Comcast (Cassandra) $3,000
• Employee Ownership Expansion Network (Cassandra) $1,600
• Granger Construction (Cassandra) $1,200
• Innovate Marquette SmartZone (Christopher) $600
• Midland Business Alliance (Cassandra) $600
• Public Sector Consultants (Cassandra) $2,000
• The Right Place (Cassandra) $600
• USDA Rural Development (Cassandra)

ESTIMATE (BASED ON THEIR PAST CONTRIBUTION) $13,600

back to top

SECTION 4 - Potential New Sponsors that Have Expressed Interest

• Beckett & Raeder (Cassandra) $600
• Community Housing Network (Cassandra) $600
• HR Collaborative (Cassandra) $600
• MyMITV (Cassandra) $600

ESTIMATE (IF ALL GIVE FRIENDS) $2,400

SECTION 5 - Committee is Contacting

1. Accelerate UP (Mary, Christopher) $600
2. American Transmission Co. (Lois) $600
3. Coleman Engineering Company (Mary, Christopher) $600
4. CW Planning (Justin) $600
5. Downtown Marquette (Mary, Christopher) $600
6. Dynamic Design Group (Mary, Christopher) $600
7. First Bank of Upper Michigan (Mary, Christopher) $600
8. GIS WebTech (Christopher) $600
9. Huntington Bank (Samantha) $600
10. Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan (Mary, Christopher) $600
11. Lake Superior State University (Mary, Christopher) $600
12. Mead and Hunt, Inc. (Mary, Christopher) $600
13. Michigan Municipal League (Christopher) $600
14. MSHDA (Christopher) $600
15. Office of Outdoor Recreation (Christopher) $600
16. OHM Advisors (Justin) $600
17. Peninsula Solar (Mary, Christopher) $600
18. Range Bank (Mary, Christopher) $600
19. Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation (Mary) $600
20. Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! (Ryan) $600
21. Upper Peninsula Power Company (Mary, Christopher) $600
22. Wells Fargo Bank (Mary, Christopher) $600
23. Western U.P. Planning and Development Region (Mary, Christopher) $600

ESTIMATE (IF ALL GIVE FRIENDS OR TYPICAL AMOUNT) $13,800

back to top

SECTION 6 - Speakers/PotentialSponsors

• Cleveland Cliffs $600 (Cassandra)
• Eagle Mines $600
• Rock Solid Trails $600 (Cassandra)
• Land Bank Authority of Marquette $600

ESTIMATE (IF ALL GIVE FRIENDS) $2,400

back to top

TOTAL ESTIMATE $74,400

OTHER IDEAS FOR GETTING TO $62,000

SECTION 7 - Sponsored in Past/Would Like to Get Back (from 2020-2022 list)

• Abonmarche (Cassandra)
• Albert Kahn Associates (Cassandra)
• Clark Communications (Cassandra)
• Cornerstone Alliance
• Emsi/Lightcast (Cassandra)
• Farbman Group (Cassandra)
• Fourth Economy (Cassandra)
• Gibbs Planning Group
• Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance
• Hoyden Creative Group
• Indiana Michigan Power (Cassandra)
• International Strategic Management (Cassandra)
• LoopNet/CoStar (Cassandra)
• Member Marketplace, Inc. (Cassandra)
• MiBiz
• Michigan's URC (Cassandra)
• Pictured Rocks Cruises (Cassandra)
• Saginaw Future (Cassandra)
• Spalding DeDecker (Cassandra)

back to top

SECTION 8 - 2019 Sponsors

Corporate
Consumers Energy - Section 1 Already Sponsored
DTE Energy - Section 1 Already Sponsored
Michigan Economic Development Corporation - Section 1 Already Sponsored
Mid-America Economic Development Council

Awards Reception
Upper Peninsula Collaborative Development Council - likely a no

Gold
Ann Arbor SPARK - Section 1 Already Sponsored
Laborers’ International Union of North America - Local 1329
Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) - Section 7
Northern Michigan University
Travel Marquette - Section 1 Already Sponsored

Lunch
Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation - Section 5 Committee is Contacting

Opening Reception
Michigan Technological University

Silver
AKT Peerless Environmental and Energy Services - Section 2 Cassandra Contacting
Detroit Regional Partnership - Section 1 Already Sponsored
Eastern Upper Peninsula Regional Planning and Development Commission/Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation
Enbridge - Section 1 Already Sponsored
Fishbeck - Section 1 Already Sponsored
ITC - Section 1 Already Sponsored
Macomb County Department of Planning and Economic Development - Section 1 Already Sponsored
Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development - Section 1 Already Sponsored
Northern Initiatives - Section 1 Already Sponsored
Oakland County, Economic Development and Community Affairs - Section 1 Already Sponsored
PM Environmental - Section 2 Cassandra Contacting
Rudolph Libbe Group - Section 2 Cassandra Contacting
Site Selection Magazine - Section 2 Cassandra Contacting
Warner Norcross + Judd LLP - Section 1 Already Sponsored

Bronze
American Transmission Co.
Indiana Michigan Power - Section 7 Would Like to Get Back
McKenna - Section 2 Hali Contacting
U.P. Building Trades Council

Conference Bag
Michigan’s University Research Corridor - Section 7 Would Like to Get Back

Breakfast/Coffee
Upper Peninsula Economic Development Alliance
Upper Peninsula Construction Council - Section 1 Already Sponsored

Tour
Lake Superior Community Partnership

Friends of MEDA
Butzel Long - Section 2 Hali Contacting
Central Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Regional Commission - Section 1 Already Sponsored
Emsi/Lightcast - Section 7 Would Like to Get Back
GreenStone Farm Credit Services - Section 1 Already Sponsored
Innovate Marquette SmartZone - Section 3 Already Expressed Interest
InvestUP - Section 1 Already Sponsored
Luce County Economic Development Corporation
Michigan Gas Utilities - Section 2 Cassandra Contacting
Norfolk Southern - Section 1 Already Sponsored
Pictured Rocks Cruises - Section 7 Would Like to Get Back
RACER Trust - Section 1 Already Sponsored
Saginaw Future, Inc. - Section 7 Would Like to Get Back
Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership - Section 1 Already Sponsored
The Right Place, Inc. - Section 7 Would Like to Get Back
Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! - Section 5 Committee is Contacting
Via Rail Engineering

back to top

SECTION 9 - Other Potentials

• Convergence (Cassandra)
• Dickinson Wright PLLC (Cassandra)
• Hamilton-Murphy Media Solutions, LLC (Cassandra)
• KeyBank (Cassandra)
• Midwest Energy and Communications (Cassandra)
• MSU Federal Credit Union (Cassandra)

back to top

NOT LIKELY OR SAID NO ALREADY

SECTION 10 - Likely Location-Based (from 2020-2022 list)

Cassandra will try and follow up once, but not spend too much time. If someone else wants to try, you are welcome to.

• Amway
• Array of Engineers
• Downtown Detroit Partnership
• Downtown Grand Rapids
• Gourdie Fraser
• Grand Rapids Community College
• Grand Valley State University
• Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works! (Cassandra)
• Greater Muskegon Economic Development
• Lakeshore Advantage
• MSU College of Human Medicine
• Networks Northwest
• Perrigo

back to top

SECTION 11 - Have Said No for This Year OR Not Responding

• Lansing Economic Area Partnership (Cassandra)
• Progressive AE (Christopher)
• Pioneer Construction (Cassandra)

back to top