Economic Development

The Saginaw Street Corridor Improvement Authority board has created a community survey to learn more from area residents, business owners and property owners about their preferences for improvements in the district.

Chris Holman welcomes Edythe Copeland, CEO, CAMW!, Lansing, MI, into the studio for CAMW!'s focus topic for August: providing insight to the Going PRO Talent Fund and information sessions that CAMW! is hosting for employers in the near future.

MEDA's biggest education and networking event of the year is its Annual Meeting. This three-day conference includes educational sessions covering the most important economic development topics and issues of the time as well as several networking opportunities.

This conference will be held Tuesday, August 13 - Friday, August 16, 2019, at the Holiday Inn in Marquette, MI.

Six companies awarded PlanetM grants to deploy mobility solutions in Michigan

Propelmee, Aveopt, GoKid, Intvo, Aerotronic and AKTV8 among the latest recipients of the PlanetM Mobility Grants

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., August 7, 2019 — Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer today announced the latest PlanetM Mobility Grant recipients during her opening remarks at the Center for Automotive Research’s Management Briefing Seminars. The six new startups recognized by Governor Whitmer aim to address today’s toughest mobility and transportation challenges, including traffic congestion reduction and improved pedestrian and road safety. Propelmee, Aveopt, GoKid, Intvo, Aerotronic and AKTV8 are the third round recipients of PlanetM’s Mobility Grants, with a total of more than $450,000 in grant funding awarded this round.

• Two business expansion projects expected to generate total investment of $14.9M, create 188 jobs
• Online marketing and software solutions company expanding existing footprint in Allendale, creating 12 high paying jobs
• Leader in the automation, engineering and prototype build industries expanding existing facility in Port Huron, generating $14.4M in investment

In Reuters' recent ranking of 378 metropolitan areas by how their share of national employment changed from 2010 to 2017, Grand Rapids and Detroit are recognized among the top 20 'superstar' metro areas nationwide. Forty percent of the new jobs generated nationally during that time went to the top 20 places, along with a similar share of the additional wages, according to the analysis by national publication Reuters.

• Business expansions statewide, in a variety of industries, involve creation of 395 jobs and $130M in investment
• Woman-owned, leading AV and event tech business establishing headquarters in Novi, involves investment of $34M, creation of 81 jobs
• Supply chain design company expands in Ann Arbor, creates 70 jobs
• Fabricating company in Baraga wins support to expand, add jobs

Michigan is among the top 10 states for cyber security growth potential, manufacturing workforce, opportunity zones, and tech job growth, and, once again ranks number one for automotive manufacturing strength according to Business Facilities’ 15th annual Rankings Report for 2019.

• German insulation manufacturer Knauf Insulation expanding in Albion
• MSF approves Transformational Brownfield Plan for paper mill redevelopment project in Kalamazoo region
• Brownfield redevelopment plan approved for FCA’s Mack Engine Plant in Detroit
• Community revitalization projects in Holland, Detroit expand scope to add more jobs, investment

Mike Price is the Executive Director of the Greater Lansing Sports Authority (GLSA), an organization he helped found in 2005. The GLSA is the leading voice for sport tourism in the Capital region and strives to generate economic impact through sport, while also improving the quality of life for area residents. The GLSA has also been recognized as a best practice sports commission, having received numerous recognition from the National Association of Sports Commissions, including being recognized as “Sports Commission of the Year”.