Your Partner in Growing Your Community

Capitol Day

24 CD Brochure CoverThis event will be held on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at the Lansing Center in Lansing.

Capitol Day is MEDA's annual legislative conference, which includes sessions on the latest legislative issues related to economic development at the local, state, and federal levels.

Capitol Day attendees are encouraged to invite their legislators to talk about the topics presented during the day or to talk about issues specific to their community. Legislators are welcome to attend complimentarily. One staff person can be sent in place of the legislator. Staff receives the MEDA member rate if they attend with the legislator.

To develop the conference around the most important legislative issues of the time, MEDA's Advocacy Committee, a volunteer group of MEDA members, plans the agenda.

Agenda*

8:00 a.m. Registration Opens

8:30 a.m. Chad Chimes In
This well-known and respected journalist spends his days researching, reporting, and engaging constituents, on politics and business in Michigan and will bring us up to date on the climate at our capital revolving around economic development and what he sees for the coming year.
Chad Livengood, Politics Editor and Columnist, The Detroit News

9:15 a.m. Networking Break

9:30 a.m. MEDC’s Next Moves
2023 was an active and noteworthy year for economic development in Michigan. With celebratory corporate locations have come many unanswered questions. Projects that we're seen as massive successes created unintended consequences, but also opened doors for new opportunities such as with battery plants. Will our incentives be adjusted to meet changing demands? How will the MEDC capitalize on these successes to continue building a championship economy in Michigan?
Moderator: Kurt Brauer, Partner, Warner Norcross + Judd LLP
Panelists: Josh Hundt, Chief Project Officer and Executive Vice President of Strategic Accounts, Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)
Tupac Hunter, Senior Vice President of External Affairs, MEDC

10:15 a.m. Networking Break

10:30 a.m. Meeting Housing Needs in Michigan
Housing is a continually growing need for economic development projects in Michigan. Since new leadership took the reins at MSHDA about a year ago, a lot has been going on in our state’s leading housing development agency, including meetings with economic developers around the state. What was gleaned from those visits, what are the next steps in the Statewide Housing Development Plan, and how can economic developers continue to partner to meet housing needs in their communities?
Tim Klont, Director of Partnerships and Engagement, Michigan State Housing Development Authority

10:55 a.m. Short Coffee Break

11:00 a.m. Powering Economic Development
Several bills have moved in our legislature this year regarding the use of clean and renewable energy in our state. While the purpose is for good, there are some concerns about the price and availability of affordable energy given the suggested time frame for changes. Weigh the pros and cons of current legislation and the expected impact on Michigan's businesses and communities of all sizes throughout the state.
Brian Rich
, Senior Vice President, Consumers Energy

11:30 a.m. Networking Break

11:45 a.m. Staying Connected with Your Representative Leaders
Michigan's legislators have been hard at work creating a better environment for business development that has a positive impact on our population, creating more opportunities for them. Make it in Michigan, Renaissance Zone changes, and R&D Tax Credit legislation are just a few. The work is never done. Hear what they are focusing on this year and how you can provide the feedback they need to pursue initiatives most needed in your community.
Moderator: James McBryde, President and CEO, Middle Michigan Development Corporation
Panelist: Representative Jason Hoskins (D-Southfield), and Chair, Economic Development and Small Business Committee

12:15 p.m. Lunch, Membership Meeting, Awards Ceremony

  • 12:45 p.m. Membership Meeting and Legislative Economic Development Champion Awards Ceremony
  • 1:15 p.m. Return to General Sessions

1:20 p.m. New Opportunities with Energy and Solar Technologies
Now that you've heard about what the state is considering for opportunities and incentives with the new battery plants and solar technology projects, get additional feedback from the local level as well as learn about what universities are doing to get ahead on technology development.
Moderator: Caitlyn Stark, President, Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce
Panelists: Britany Affolter-Caine, Executive Director, Michigan's University Research Corridor
JoAnn Crary, President, Saginaw Future, Inc.
Dan Radomski, Executive Director, Centrepolis

2:05 p.m. Networking Break

2:15 p.m. Staying Connected with Your Senate Leaders
Following the morning session with State Representatives engaged in economic development policy, we will hear from two State Senate leaders who are working to improve prosperity for individuals, businesses, and communities in The Great Lakes State.
Moderator: James McBryde, President and CEO, Middle Michigan Development Corporation
Panelists: Senator Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak), Chair, Economic and Community Development Committee
Senator Roger Victory (R-Hudsonville)

2:45 p.m. Short Break

2:50 p.m. A Prosperous Rural Michigan
The Office of Rural Prosperity was created two years ago to focus on economic and workforce development, infrastructure, public health, and environmental sustainability in Michigan’s rural communities. After implementing the Rural Readiness Grant Program and other initiatives, what has Sarah and her team learned, and what are they focusing on in 2024 to grow Michigan’s small and treasured communities?
Sarah Lucas, Director, Office of Rural Prosperity

3:30 p.m. Adjourn

*Due to the unpredictable nature of legislature schedules, the agenda is subject to change and we will update this webpage as soon as possible if any occur. If you have any concerns before registering, feel free to contact us.

Invite Your Legislators

Legislators are welcome to attend complimentarily, but we ask that they RSVP to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. One staff person can be sent in place of the legislator. Staff receives the MEDA member rate if they attend with the legislator.

Thank You Sponsors

EnbridgeEnbridge Energy 2023

Enbridge exists to fuel people’s quality of life. We operate across North America and beyond—powering industry, empowering society and safely delivering reliable, affordable sources of energy through our four core businesses: liquids pipelines, natural gas pipelines, gas distribution and storage, and renewable energy. These activities deliver a variety of economic benefits and fuel people’s quality of life, whether they’re:

  • well-paying jobs in towns and cities,
  • tax revenue that can help build schools, hospitals, and roads,
  • procurement spending that stimulates local economies, or
  • grants and volunteer labor for community-strengthening projects.

At Enbridge, we’re committed to lowering emissions while meeting growing energy demand; to supporting our customers today while anticipating their needs tomorrow; and meet that demand, developing new energy sources while keeping energy costs in check. We’re proud to deliver economic benefits in the states where we do business, like Michigan. Learn more at enbridge.com. Contact Paul Meneghini, Manager, Community Engagement, Great Lakes Region, PH: 218-348-8139, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Cost

Early Rates - MEDA Members $135*/Non-Members $205**
Regular Rates - MEDA Members $150*/Non-Members $220** (Starts February 27th)

*MEDA Members, if you joined in the last 12 months, you may still have a New Member Coupon that you can use to attend this program for free. Ask This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

**If not a member of MEDA, ask This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. how you can attend this program for free by joining MEDA.

Recertification Credits

This event has been approved for (1) 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.

We will apply to have this event recognized by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) as a professional development event that counts toward the recertification of Certified Economic Developers (CEcD).

Register

Cancellations must be received in writing to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 24 hours in advance of the start time to receive a full refund. Those who do not cancel and do not attend will be charged the full price of registration.

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Contact Us

Michigan Economic
Developers Association
P.O. Box 15096
Lansing, MI 48901-5096
PH: 517-241-0011
cjorae@medaweb.org