What's Being Planned for Impact Day
The NEW! Economic Development Impact Day is MEDA's rebranded legislative conference.
The new title highlights the significant contributions of our members and the pivotal role of the legislature, administration, and state departments in driving successful economic development priorites in your communities. It will also continue to provide key policy updates relevant to your work.
2025 Event
The event will be held at Heritage Hall - connected to Michigan’s Capitol building - and will focus on education, advocacy, and awareness as the new legislative cycle begins.
7:45 a.m. Registration Opens
8:30 a.m. Tentative Whitmer Welcome (Invited)
The Governor and her team have been champions for economic development, celebrating policies that grow small businesses, provide for the readiness of business sites, keep talent in the state, and much more. We are honored to invite Governor Whitmer to address our audience again and share her vision for the coming year.
8:45 a.m. Telling Today’s Economic Development Story to the Media
When approached by the media with questions about economic development initiatives, you often only have a short time to respond. What is the most impactful and influential when there is so much to tell in each economic development story?
Chad Livengood, Politics Editor and Columnist, The Detroit News
9:45 a.m. Break
10:00 a.m. Hone Your Economic Development Advocacy Skills
Economic development leaders who can explain what is needed to be successful - and why - are vital to the legislative body’s ability to develop policies that meet the needs of communities around the state. Grow your capacity to stand up for your community’s needs through advocacy.
Meghan Swain, Executive Director, Michigan Economic Developers Association
10:30 a.m. State Legislation Impacting Michigan Economic Development
MEDA, along with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), is watching legislation in 2025 that is of the highest priority for a healthy economic development climate. What bills are they following? Which legislation from last year will be re-introduced, and how will it be modified to address concerns from the previous term? What is their plan of action following the Governor’s FY26 Budget Recommendations? How can you help support priority initiatives?
Tupac Hunter, Senior Vice President of External Affairs, Michigan Economic Development Corporation
11:00 a.m. Meet the State Department Leaders
Our state departments play a vital role in implementing the policies driven by the legislature. There are several new leaders this year, some from the previous administration. Get to know them and their department’s priorities related to economic development so you can connect with the right people and programs.
Confirmed Panelists:
Aaron Keatley, Chief Deputy Director, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
Sarah Lucas, Director, Office of Rural Prosperity
Invited Panelists: Director, Labor and Economic Opportunity; Director, Natural Resources; Director, Pure Michigan; Director, Transportation
12:00 p.m. Awards Luncheon and Tribute to James McBryde
MEDA’s Advocacy Committee is committed to honoring leaders who go above and beyond to champion economic development initiatives in their communities. We will give the inaugural Advocate for Economic Development Advancement award to recognize a non-legislative advocate/champion of economic development at the local or state level. As we have since 2020, we will also award our Legislative Economic Development Champions.
We will also pay tribute to a true advocate for economic development advancement, whom we lost at the end of 2024: James McBryde. Jim worked tirelessly on his daily economic development work and in advocacy for the profession and its needs to our legislative leaders. Jim was a model member of MEDA through his volunteer work, speaking roles that shared his knowledge, and warm and welcoming personality.
1:00 p.m. Federal Legislation Impacting Michigan Economic Development
Changes at the federal level are happening rapidly and have the potential for dynamic change for years to come. The IEDC is advocating for economic development in 2025. Top priorities include funding for the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration, the Community Development Block Grant Program, the Farm Bill with the specific focus on the Rural Development Title, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and much more in regard to tax reform legislation that promotes economic development.
Nathan Ohle, President and CEO, International Economic Development Council (IEDC)
3:00 p.m. Adjourn
Attend Impact Day
Go to the Event page for cost, location, and registration information.
Go to the Sponsor page to learn how you can support this event.