News and Resources

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

Battle Creek Workforce Initiatives Provide Residents with Access to Good-Paying Jobs, Meaningful Careers (Has List of Programs Used)

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

Gov. Whitmer Strengthens Economic Ties with Spain to Boost Foreign Investment and Job Creation in Michigan

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

Historic Long-vacant Higginbotham School to be Transformed Into Affordable Housing, Community Space - Funding Sources that Made it Happen

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

Will There Be a Rustbelt Defense Complex? Struggling midwestern cities may have a future in military manufacturing.

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

4 Steps Dearborn, MI Took to Invest in Economic Development and Public Health Through Green Schoolyards

Economic Development Resources
Solving the Housing Puzzle

Michigan CDFI Coalition: $186.9 Million In Federal Funding Awarded To 9 Institutions

Michigan’s Growth Office Awards Over $660K to Support the Creation of Five Regional Talent Retention and Attraction Programs

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

4 Steps Dearborn, MI Took to Invest in Economic Development and Public Health Through Green Schoolyards

Economic Development Resources
Solving the Housing Puzzle

Michigan CDFI Coalition: $186.9 Million In Federal Funding Awarded To 9 Institutions

Michigan’s Growth Office Awards Over $660K to Support the Creation of Five Regional Talent Retention and Attraction Programs

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

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Announces $1.2 Million in Export Assistance Funds Available for Michigan’s Small Businesses

9/24/24 - 9/30/24

U.S. Department of the Treasury Awards Over $9 Million to Michigan to Help Small Auto Manufacturers and Suppliers Grow and Hire

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

SBA Administrator Guzman Announces Working Capital Pilot Now Accepting Applications at Participating SBA Lenders

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

Big Win for Michigan: $129.1 Million Federal Investment into Renewables Ready Communities Will Lower Costs, Create Jobs, and Protect Air and Water

7/23/24 to 7/29/24

Michigan Brings Home $35.7 Million from Inflation Reduction Act to Support Michigan’s Clean Energy Future and High-paying, In-demand Jobs

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

Eric Icard, Senior Director of Business Development, recognized among North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers

Economic Development Resources
Finance Infographic for Non-Financial Staff

EGLE Announces $20 Million Available for Michigan’s First Ever Environmental Justice Impact Grants

UIA Economic Dashboard

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

URBAN-X Accelerator Program

$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

The Obsolete Zoning Laws that Leave Downtowns Stagnant - How Some Communities are Making Positive Changes

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

Federal Reserve Economic Data

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

New Economic Development Projects to Create up to 1,580 Jobs, Generating Over $650 Million in Investment

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

Rural Energy for America Program Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Guaranteed Loans & Grants

Grants for Next-Gen Mobility