Capitol Day
This event will be held on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, 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.
In order 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
MEDA’s annual legislative conference, Capitol Day, is the event for learning about the latest legislative initiatives at the local, state, and federal levels that could impact economic development.
Following a year with many economic development wins in Michigan, we are entering an environment with a legislative leadership profile that hasn’t been seen in decades.
A seasoned member of the state capitol press corps will open with his exclusive take on what could be expected, and leaders from the legislature and State departments will share what economic developers need to know to partner with them to keep our state moving in the right direction to meet the needs of communities, businesses, and the workforce.
8:00 a.m. Registration Opens
8:30 a.m. Michigan is Headed to the Blue
Join the longest-serving political journalist as he delves into what changes will be made as the Democrats begin to hold power in the Michigan House and Senate. Where do the legislative priorities stand now?
Tim Skubick, Senior Capital Correspondent
9:30 a.m. Short Break
9:45 a.m. Labor and Economic Opportunity through Growing Broadband Access in 2023
Broadband continues to be a top concern for economic developers that support growing communities and businesses especially as many Michigan workers continue to operate remotely. Part of LEO’s priorities is a broadband workforce to keep up with new infrastructures; how is hiring going and what is the status of projects around the state? How will the newly created Michigan High-Speed Internet Office (MIHI) work to lessen the digital divide in Michigan and leverage technology to improve the quality of life? How can economic developers support their work?
Susan Corbin, Director, Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity
Eric Fredrick, Chief Connectivity Officer, Michigan High-Speed Internet Office
10:30 a.m. Networking Break
11:00 a.m. Connecting With Our New House Legislative Committee Leaders
Hear from key House Committees on new economic development initiatives, how the local community can support them, and give the attendees the opportunity to share their ideas and concerns.
Moderator: Jim McBryde, President & CEO, Middle Michigan Development Corporation
Panelists: Representative Jason Hoskins (D-Farmington), Chair, Economic Development and Small Business Committee
Representative William Snyder (D-Muskegon), Chair, Labor and Economic Opportunity Subcommittee
Representative Mark Tisdel (R-Rochester), Minority Vice Chair, Economic Development and Small Business Committee
Representative Greg VanWoerkom (R-Grand Haven), Minority Vice Chair, Labor and Economic Opportunity Subcommittee
12:00 p.m. Lunch/House Speaker Address/Membership Meeting/Legislative Economic Development Champion Awards Ceremony
Michigan Speaker of the House Joe Tate (D-Detroit)
1:30 p.m. Connecting With Our New Senate Legislative Committee Leaders
Legislative leaders will share challenges and priorities they see for the coming legislative term, insights they have learned since stepping into the role, and what information we can provide to help them guide needed policy.
Moderator: Jim McBryde, President & CEO, Middle Michigan Development Corporation
Panelists: Senator Mary Cavanagh (D-Redford), Chair, Appropriations Subcommittee of LEO/MEDC
Senator Mark Huizenga (R-Grand Rapids), Minority Vice Chair, Appropriations Subcommittee of LEO/MEDC
Senator Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak), Chair, Economic and Community Development Committee
Senator Roger Victory (R-Hudsonville), Minority Vice Chair, Economic and Community Development Committee
2:30 p.m. Short Break
2:45 p.m. Building a Championship Economy in Michigan
In 2022, Michigan put the world on notice that it was playing to win – whether that meant winning transformational projects, securing federal funding for small businesses, or attracting global recognition as a premier travel destination. In 2023, the state will continue building on its momentum with a commitment to out-hustle and out-compete its competitors to make sure the future is built in Michigan. Hear from Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) CEO Quentin Messer, Jr. about how his organization plans to continue its work to build a championship economy in Michigan.
Quentin Messer, President & CEO, Michigan Economic Development Corporation
3:15 p.m. Short Break
3:30 p.m. Michigan State Housing Development Authority Update
Hear the latest updates on the State housing programs and initiatives. Learn more about the new programs, specifically the MI-Hope program that provides local government and nonprofit agencies the funding needed to help low-income households make home repairs that will enhance energy efficiency.
Amy Hovey, Executive Director, Michigan State Housing Development Authority
4:00 p.m. Adjourn
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.
Legislative Economic Development Champion Award Winners
The following Michigan legislators – all nominated by members of MEDA – will receive a Legislative Economic Development Champion Award, which recognizes them for championing economic development initiatives both locally and statewide.
This is the fourth time that MEDA has offered the Legislative Economic Development Champion Award (see past winners here) and is happy to present the award to Representatives and Senators that sponsored legislation to create new economic development tools.
2023 Recipients
Representative Matt Hall - Scheduled to be present.
Representative Samantha Steckloff - Scheduled to be present.
Senator Stephanie Chang - Tentatively scheduled to be present.
Senator Roger Victory - Scheduled to be present.
Sponsor Spotlight
ITC
As the nation’s largest independent electricity transmission company, ITC builds, operates, and maintains the electrical infrastructure that sustains our way of life. Since our founding in 2003, ITC has strengthened our aging transmission infrastructure by providing safe, reliable, and resilient solutions to meet today’s evolving energy needs. We’re connecting our country to renewable energy to enable an electrified, greener future.
Contact Nora Balgoyen, EDFP, Senior Area Manager, PH: 269-792-7228, 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** (Start 1 week before the conference.)
*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 have applied 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 in order to receive a full refund. Those who do not cancel and do not attend will be charged the full price of registration.
