Michigan Economic Development News and Resource Updates
Each week, the MEDA staff sifts through several sources for news that is useful to our members, and that highlights the work of our members. MEDA members receive the news before it is posted to this page and receive expanded information on resources in the Info Hub.
Headlines and resources not only include good news about economic growth in Michigan, but also valuable reports, examples of the creative use of an economic development tool for a project, federal-level program updates, or economic outlooks and trends.
12/10/24 - 12/16/24
Rhode Island Could Create a 'Public Developer' to Address Housing Crisis
USDA Invests $8.2 Million to Strengthen Rural Michigan Infrastructure
Economic Development Resources
Childcare Innovation Fund - Two Learning Opps Regarding Upcoming Competitive Funding Opps: Family Child Care Networks Webinar on 12/18 - Regional Child Care Coalition Webinar on 1/15
Rende Progress Capital Offers Opportunities to 'Excluded Entrepreneurs'
New Training Course Seeks to ‘Build a Small Army’ of Emerging Developers of Color
12/3/24 - 12/9/24
Dowagiac: Cooking Up a New Vision
LIFT to Open Advanced Metallic Production and Processing Center in Detroit in 2025
Economic Development Resources
Broadband Internet Still Lags in Rural Michigan; New Program Links 30k Homes
LEO Issues RFP for $9 Million in Funding
MIT Regional Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program
Women’s Business Center Launches New Business Plan Certification Program
11/26/24 - 12/2/24
2 Detroit RenCen Towers Could be Torn Down as Part of New Plan
Detroit Among 50 Best Places to Visit in 2025
Michigan Leads the Nation in Clean Energy Investments for the Second Year in a Row
11/19/24 - 11/25/24
EVs Aren't Going Away. Here's How Michigan is Preparing its Workforce.
USDA Invests in AI, Funding a Pilot Program for Michigan
Economic Development Resources
MSU REI 2025 Call for Co-Learning Projects Projects on Resiliency Planning, Financial Resiliency, Circular Economies, or 21st Century Communications Infrastructure
Match on Main Applications Due January 20th
11/12/24 - 11/18/24
West Michigan Works! Honored by White House for Expanding Apprenticeships
MiSTEM Advisory Council Releases FY 26 Recommendations
Economic Development Resources
Michigan Zoning Atlas
West Michigan Child Care Action Plan
Empowering Communities Through Real Estate Education
11/5/24 - 11/11/24
Young Adults Fuel the Revival of Rural, Small Towns
This Michigan Village Plans to Transform a Vacant Lot into a Downtown Destination
State Transportation Commission Approves Final 2025-2029 Five-Year Transportation Program
FRA to Fund Rail Infrastructure Work from Pinconning to Alpena
Economic Development Resources
Applications Now Being Accepted for the Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) Program - Nov. 13th Webinar
10/29/24 - 11/4/24
Microsoft Has Bought at Least 2 Big Parcels in Michigan Amid Data Center Push
Vacant Since 1993, Auto Plant Will Transform Into Housing With State Funding
Economic Development Resources
Solving the Housing Puzzle
Michigan CDFI Coalition: $186.9 Million In Federal Funding Awarded To 9 Institutions
10/22/24 - 10/28/24
Microsoft Has Bought at Least 2 Big Parcels in Michigan Amid Data Center Push
Vacant Since 1993, Auto Plant Will Transform Into Housing With State Funding
Economic Development Resources
Solving the Housing Puzzle
Michigan CDFI Coalition: $186.9 Million In Federal Funding Awarded To 9 Institutions
10/15/24 - 10/21/24
China’s Dizzying EV Rise is an Awesome Opportunity but a Big Bind for U.S. Auto Suppliers
Tourism Spending Continues to Climb as Pure Michigan Campaign to Mark 20 Years
Economic Development Resources
Hacking Michigan’s Housing Potential
Lean & Green Michigan's PACE Partner Training Video Kick Off Webinar
Site Selection Playbook 2024: Ensuring Compliance and Maximizing Incentive Benefits
Horticulture Fund Grant to Support Michigan’s Nursery and Ornamental Horticulture Businesses
10/8/24 - 10/14/24
New Statewide Poll from the Detroit Chamber: Voters’ Reluctance to Embrace the Economy of the Future Putting Michigan’s Competitiveness, Top Industry at Risk
Tyler Rossmaessler Named to Crain’s Detroit Business’ ‘40 Under 40’
Berrien Talent Collaborative Gets $500,000 in State Funding
University Research Corridor Creates Collaboration to Grow R&D in Michigan
Economic Development Resources
MIOSHA Announces $500,000 in Grant Funding Available to Michigan Small Businesses for Enhanced Worker Protections
Regional Economic Innovation Call for Projects
10/1/24 - 10/7/24
Fact-checking the Michigan economy: Prices up. So are wages. What’s true?
Two Automotive Companies Invest Nearly $500 Million in Michigan
Out-of-state Investors See 'Grit' in Michigan’s Tech Ecosystem
Economic Development Resources
Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) Program - 2024 Application Window Opening Soon
Filling the Gaps in Michigan’s Black Tech Talent Pipeline
9/24/24 - 9/30/24
University of Michigan Team Heads State Maritime Strategy Development
Saab to Build Plant in Grayling
‘Cat and Mouse’: Keeping Up With the Evolution of AI
Economic Development Resources
Underserved, Value Added, and Regional Food Systems Grants
Economic Injury Disaster Loans - Still Available to Michigan Companies - Oct. 15 Filing Deadline
9/17/24 - 9/23/24
Michigan Climbs to Highest-Ever Ranking in Area Development’s Top States for Doing Business
Coca-Cola Bottler Plots New Warehouse, 643 Jobs in Lyon Township
Permitted Power Capacity Foreshadows Health of Regional Economies
Design Project Will be Southfield's First 3D Printed Concrete Home
Update on Michigan Infrastructure Office Progress and Future
Economic Development Resources
Going Pro Talent Fund Educational/Video PowerPoint
9/10/24 - 9/16/24
Michigan Gets $22.2 Million to Advance Michigan-Backed Clean Hydrogen Hub
Broadband Connection Under Lake Michigan Intended to Improve Internet Throughout the State
MEDC Promotes Wolgamott to Lead Pure Michigan Tourism Campaign
Economic Development Resources
National Small Business Week Awards
Understanding AI’s Place in Capital Construction
T-Mobile Hometown Grant Program
9/4/24 - 9/9/24
Grand Rapids Organization Targets Unused, Underutilized Kent County Spaces for Housing
Electric Vehicles: Funding Infrastructure to Achieve 50% by 2030
Michigan Lands $18M to Help Auto Manufacturers Shift to Electric
MSU Explores Creating Mixed-Use Site With Arena and Hotel to Stay Competitive in Big Ten
Economic Development Resources
The Eastern Michigan Small Business Hub Program 2024 Small Business Grant Program
PitchMI Competition - Entries Due Sept. 16th
Rural Readiness Grant Program - Letters of Intent Due October 7th
8/26/24 - 9/3/24
Kent County Could Add 70,000 Housing Units Along Underused Commercial Corridors, Study Finds
Coworking and Startup Culture Spark Success in Michigan State University Entrepreneurship Ecosystem
Mini Fridge Maker Announces $21.4M Expansion in Michigan
Economic Development Resources
New Housing Forward Toolkit Brings Housing Market Information to One's Fingertips
Leveraging Apprenticeships to Enhance Your Team
Employers to Inspire the Next Generation of Manufacturers
8/13/24 to 8/19/24
Michigan's 3-Part Plan to Attract More People
Michigan Has 6 of the 9 Most Adorable Great Lakes Small Towns Says Ranking
Economic Development Resources
Upward Mobility Framework
8/6/24 to 8/12/24
Rural Counties are Making a Comeback
Commongrounds Uses Co-op Model to Serve Missing Needs of the Community
Battle Creek Kellogg Facility to Receive Boost in Infrastructure, Productivity
Economic Development Resources
Nondisclosure Agreements Best Practices When Negotiating Incentives
Mexico Trade Mission Seeks Michigan Businesses
7/30/24 to 8/5/24
Two New Orgs Launched to Drive Southwest Michigan Talent and Development
Attracting and Retaining Talent in the Face of AI Advancement
Economic Development Resources
New Opportunity for Michiganders to Help Create Michigan’s First-Ever Statewide Community and Worker Economic Transition Plan
7/23/24 to 7/29/24
Grand Rapids Has Fewer Empty Offices than Rest of Country
Gordie Howe Bridge Connects With 1 Year of Construction Left to Go
Economic Development Resources
Apply for the Make MI Home Pilot Program!
USDA Rural Development Broadband Technical Assistance Program
7/16/24 to 7/22/24
LEAP Creates New Hub Supporting Small Businesses
America's Startup Boom is Still Going Strong. Here's What it Means for the Economy.
Economic Development Resources
Advancing Equity in Land Reuse: A Practical Guide to Engaging and Activating Community Voices
What Residents in Targeted Investment Areas Think About Their Neighborhoods
How Place-Based Policies Can Help American Workers Thrive
7/9/24 to 7/15/24
All We Do is Win: CNBC Moves Michigan Up to No. 9 in Top States for Business
'The Electric City': Downtown Sturgis Ready for the Spotlight in Latest Placemaking Campaign
Economic Development Resources
Michigan to Create $60M Innovation Fund to Launch Startups
Governing Magazine Research Papers
7/2/24 to 7/8/24
Housing Squeezes Bustling Traverse City. Are Rehabbed Warehouses an Answer?
4 Issues to Watch as U.S. Auto Industry Changes Affect Michigan
Economic Development Resources
Driving Effective Digitalization Strategies Starts at the Top
Next Funding Round for Tech Hubs
6/25/24 to 7/1/24
From Transit Deserts to Two Million rides: Four Years of Microtransit in Jersey City
Nearly $400M for Megasite, Solar Factory, Mine Gets Signoff from House Panel
One City’s Downtown Plan: Empty Office Space That Is Too Cheap to Pass Up
Economic Development Resources
Let's Grow Michigan Report Released
6/18/24 to 6/24/24
Rural America’s Post-Pandemic Job Recovery Varies by Industry and Region
3 Southeast Michigan Housing Projects Receive Brownfield Funding
Economic Development Resources
$10 Million Investment Announced to Help Michigan Lead Future of Automotive Semiconductor Tech
6/11/24 to 6/17/24
Michigan Committee Approves $4.5B for Transit and Development
$2 Million Waterfront Plaza planned for Benton Harbor
Economic Development Resources
Once-in-a-Decade Funding Tour Coming to MI
Site Selection Consultant Database
Report: Compensation Growth in Michigan Remains Strong
6/4/24 to 6/10/24
“This is the news we’ve been waiting for for 10 years.”
Water Supply Increasingly Affecting Location Decisions
Economic Development Resources
Finance Infographic for Non-Financial Staff
EGLE Announces $20 Million Available for Michigan’s First Ever Environmental Justice Impact Grants
5/29/24 to 6/3/24
Gov. Whitmer Announces New Actions to Build a More Innovative Michigan
State Boosts 5-year Housing Goal to Address Shortage
Michigan University Presidents Talk Higher Education’s Role in Building the State’s Economy
Economic Development Resources
Resource Rural
MEDC Webinar - Supercharge your Page: Best Practices for Organic and Paid Growth on LinkedIn
5/28/24
For ‘Team Michigan,’ Electricity Transmission Company ITC is a Key Player
Michigan Economic Development Board Approves $250 Million for Genesee Site
Polaris Bringing Network of Electric ORV Charging Stations to Upper Peninsula
Economic Development Resources
New Reports Show Employment and Economic Impact of Research at URC Universities
5/20/24
DEGC Exec Who Worked on Major Detroit Projects Departing for Florida
Holland’s Community-owned Broadband Network Building ‘Fiberhoods’
Michigan’s Unmanned Triple Challenge: The Race for Drone Dominance Begins
Economic Development Resources
New Tactics for New talent: Closing US Semiconductor Labor Gaps
SBAM Launches Wellness Program for Small Businesses Across Michigan
Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure
5/13/24
State Leaders Turn Out to Celebrate New Homes, Innovative 'Pocket Neighborhood' in Eaton Rapids
Startup Aims to Use Technology to Take 'Forever' Out of PFAS 'Forever Chemicals'
Economic Development Resources
Michigan’s Largest Entrepreneur Competition Opens 2024 Registration
Industrial Research and Assessment Center Implementation Grants
$50M Grant Program for Small Suppliers, New EV Workforce Hub in Michigan
5/6/24
How Should Government Guide the Use of Generative AI?
Marijuana Reclassification Would Mean Instant Cash Flow for Michigan Dispensaries
Economic Development Resources
Growing MI Together Video
Local Government Energy Program: Communities Sparking Investment in Transformative Energy (C-SITE)
Study: Michigan EV Charging Infrastructure Growing, But Access Still Limited
4/29/24
MSHDA Board Approves Developments in Detroit, Ann Arbor and Grand Traverse County
Supporting Local Businesses — Even During Construction — is the Main Thing in Zeeland
Mundy Township Megasite Receives $9.2 Million Grant from MEDC
Economic Development Resources
MI Funding Hub
$11M in Grants Available to Help Michigan Businesses Grow and Train Their Workforce
4/23/24
How to Master the Maze of Federal Funding in Manufacturing Site Selection
VTS Survey: More than 80% of Office Landlords Seeing an Increase in Lease Renewals
Economic Development Resources
FDI Insights Economic Development Marketing and Priorities Book
Professional Growth Resources
Meeting Mastery from the World's Best
4/15/24
What the Change in HUD Leadership Means for the Housing Crisis
Apprenticeships for Everyone: Non-traditional Industries Find Effective Way to Train Next Generation
5 Ways A Growing City Can Define Their Brand
Economic Development Resources
Quick Guide: Understanding Grant Funders and Types of Grants
The State of Local Government Survey Report
4/9/24
Lt. Gov. Gilchrist II Announces the Approval of Michigan’s First-Ever Digital Equity Plan
How States Are Addressing the High Cost of Housing
Why Smaller May Be Better for Some Businesses
Economic Development Resources
$60M Available to Developers to Help Meet Michigan Housing Needs
PMBC Great Lakes Bay Supplier Summit
PMBC Southwest Michigan Supplier Summit
4/1/24
Auto Supply Chain Was Ready for Baltimore Bridge Disaster
US Manufacturing Boom Is About More Than EVs, Chips
Economic Development Resources
State Launches Challenge Process to Identify Underserved Broadband Areas