Your Partner in Growing Your Community

Economic Development Strategies and Solutions Fall Conference

23 Fall GraphicThis event will be held on Friday, November 17, 2023, at Crowne Plaza Lansing West in Lansing.

Overview

MEDA’s Economic Development Strategies and Solutions Fall Conference covers topics in which economic development professionals are seeking strategies and solutions to get ahead of opportunities or address challenges.

In order to develop the best conference, a volunteer committee of MEDA members meets regularly to plan this and other MEDA membership programs. Click here to learn more about the Education Committee.

Agenda

8:00 a.m. Registration Opens

8:30 a.m. Growing Michigan Together
Join Michigan’s first Chief Growth Officer as she delves into the newly implemented Growing Michigan Together Council - with key Workgroup leaders - and discusses how to create definitive goals to grow the state’s population including retaining and attracting workforce talent, investing in infrastructure, and improving pre-K through postsecondary education.
Moderator: Hilary Doe, Chief Growth Officer, Michigan Economic Development Corporation
Panelists: Bob Filka, Chief Executive Officer, Home Builders Association of Michigan
Marty Fittante, Chief Executive Officer, InvestUP
Terri Lynn Land, Partner, Offices at Louis Campau
Dr. Bill Pink, President, Ferris State University

9:45 a.m. Networking Break

10:00 a.m. 2024 Economic Outlook
There are many positive signs that Michigan’s economy is recovering including a low unemployment rate and corporate locations. Our economy is, however, continually impacted by various forces including inflation, housing availability, and continued supply chain issues. This economic outlook will give foresight on what we will see going into 2024, and what is being predicted for the year, so you can begin planning strategies and solutions to address potential challenges and build on the possibilities.
Martin Lavelle, Senior Business Economist, Detroit Branch, Regional Economics, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago

11:00 a.m. Networking Break

11:15 a.m. Addressing Challenges to Site Selection Utility Needs
For projects of all sizes, utilities are a substantial need in site selection. Gather from actual cases how challenges are being addressed in Michigan and around the country.
Moderator: Susan Proctor, CEcD, Site Selector Engagement Executive, Michigan Economic Development Corporation
Panelists: Valerie Christofferson, EDFP, Director, Economic Development, Consumers Energy
Brandon Podolski, JD, SIOR, Partner, Plante Moran Realpoint
Jacqueline C. Young, Economic Development Manager, DTE Energy

12:15 p.m. Lunch and Membership Meeting

1:15 p.m. Meeting Site Development Needs
Approaches to meeting site selection trends vary from region to region. Hear from top leaders at regional economic development organizations about what is going on around the state to build strategies for your site availability portfolio.
Moderator: Paul O’Connell, Vice President, Real Estate Development, Michigan Economic Development Corporation
Panelists: Tim Mroz, Senior Vice President, Community Development, The Right Place, Inc.
Shannon Selby, Vice President, Real Estate Services, Detroit Regional Partnership
Robert Trezise Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer, Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP)

2:15 p.m. Networking Break

2:30 p.m. Concurrent Sessions

>> Opportunities in Hydrogen Technology
Hydrogen is widely recognized as a potential game changer in the global effort to address climate change and Michigan is working to be a strong part of the hydrogen technology supply chain. There are opportunities but also challenges to address with both mobile and stationary technologies.
Moderator: Ellington Ellis, CEO | Interim, Linear Asics
Panelists: Greg Keoleian, Co-Director, MI Hydrogen, Peter M. Wege Professor Sustainable Systems, University of Michigan
Zach Kolodin, Chief Infrastructure Officer, State of Michigan, and Director, Michigan Infrastructure Office
Dr. Guy Wicker, CEO, Ovshinsky Innovation

>> Creating a Bustling Downtown
Small businesses in Michigan are struggling to direct traffic to brick-and-mortar locations, but many Michigan communities are implementing strategies that bring people through the door and keep them coming back for more. Hear from experience and learn from the challenges that these communities have overcome as they partner with their local businesses to create a bustling downtown.
Moderator: Doug Smith, Senior Vice President, Plante Moran
Panelists: Wendy Jean-Buhrer, City Manager, City of Grand Blanc
Julia Kepler, Past President, Midland Downtown Business Association

Jim Mallery, Village Manager, Village of Vicksburg

3:30 p.m. Short Break

3:40 p.m. Federal Legislation Strategies
Federal legislation to address recent challenges has generated economic growth, especially in Michigan, but there is still work to be done. The CHIPs and Science Act and Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 can be leveraged by the economic development community in areas such as semiconductor research, clean energy, and agriculture. Hear how these are being used around the country and get plenty of ideas to implement today.
Nadia Abunasser, PhD, Federal Opportunities Director, Michigan Economic Development Corporation
Zach Kolodin, Chief Infrastructure Officer, State of Michigan, and Director, Michigan Infrastructure Office

4:30 p.m. Adjourn

Thank You Sponsors

Lake Trust Credit UnionLake Trust Credit Union

Lake Trust Credit Union is focused on being an engine of member and community well-being. The credit union currently serves nearly 200,000 members who live, work, worship, attend school, or operate businesses in Michigan. By celebrating the power in all of us each day, Lake Trust works with local organizations, nonprofits, and business partners to enhance the financial well-being of individuals, families, and small business owners in Michigan. With a reach across the state, Lake Trust is committed to creating stronger, more vibrant communities through advocacy and community engagement. Please contact Nicole Dietrich at 734-904-5464 or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

MakeMyMoveMakeMyMove

MakeMyMove is the country's first and only online marketplace for communities and move-ready talent. Our platform enables communities to promote their distinct value proposition, communicate with move-ready talent on the site, and execute a recruitment process to increase population and workforce. The MakeMyMove audience includes over 100,000 visitors and thousands of applications to MakeMyMove community programs every month. MakeMyMove gives communities the tools and services they need to attract, engage, and move new residents all from a single platform. Please contact Hilton Morris at 260-441-6877 or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

PM Environmental, a Pinchin Company (PM)

PM Environmental 2023PM Environmental, a Pinchin Company (PM) is a full-service environmental risk management firm focused on all aspects of environmental due diligence, risk mitigation, remediation, and regulatory compliance. PM also offers a complete suite of environmental services including completing Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs), full site characterization investigations, Brownfield Redevelopment, Industrial Hygiene, Environmental Compliance, Economic Incentives, and design and implementation of full-scale soil, soil-vapor, and groundwater mitigation and remediation solutions. Over the past ten years, PM has been ranked as one of the top environmental consulting and engineering services companies in Michigan and the top 20 nationally by EDR ScoreKeeper™, a Market monitor for the environmental due diligence industry. Please contact Jessica Debone at 616-328-5297 or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

You Can Still Sponsor This Conference

Email Cassandra at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if interested in becoming a sponsor.

Cost

Early Rates - MEDA Members $135*/Non-Members $205**
Regular Rates - MEDA Members $150*/Non-Members $220** (Start 1 week before the conference.)
*If you joined MEDA in the last year, you may still have a New Member Coupon that you can apply toward this event. Email Cassandra at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to check!
**If not a member of MEDA, you can get a $135 coupon if you join and pay for attendance before the conference. Email Cassandra at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if interested. You can learn more about membership on our Join MEDA page.
Not sure if you're a member? It's okay to check with This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. on that as well!

Recertification Credits

This program 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).

Registration

Cancellations must be received in writing to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 24 hours prior to the event in order to receive a refund. Attendees who do not attend or cancel will be charged the full registration fee.

Corporate Investors

Consumers Energy DTE Logo Small
ITC Logo MEDC 2020 Resized
MSHDA vertical TM Plante Moran Realpoint

Contact Us

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