Economic Development

Coverage of projects, big and small, and the people who create them, which promote the economic health of a community, including manufacturing, retail, office, and hospitality developments.

Melvin Henley

Growing Michigan Together Council addresses housing and other concerns across the state

Established by Governor Whitmer, the Growing Michigan Together Council works to develop a long-term plan of action to address many issues of concern across the state. Different goals include jobs, talent, and people; infrastructure and places; PreK-12 and higher education, and revenue. Block by Block spoke with the Executive Director of the Growing Michigan Together Council and Michigan’s first Chief Growth Officer Hilary Doe, and Melvin Henley at Community Economic Development Association of Michigan to hear about the council’s report.   

Latest in Economic Development
Chris Uhl
What’s next for housing in Kent and Ottawa counties

As Kent County grows faster than the rest of the state, the community looks at ways to address its ongoing housing shortages. Through government entities, upcoming developers like Housing Next, and seasoned community development financial institutions like IFF, Grand Rapids has a collaborative plan in place to address the issue.   

Torch 180 is located at 131 Mill St. in Fowlerville.
Good news for Fowlerville coffee shop dedicated to training, hiring Michiganders with disabilities

"We are so excited to receive this accreditation,” says Torch 180 President Rhonda Callahan. “It gives students the opportunity to earn Michigan Career and Technical Institute's certifications here in Livingston County, and it also adds a welcomed layer of accountability and challenge to our programming."

Working through the winter at Colonial Michilimackinac.
Work underway to build first new Colonial Michilimackinac building in more than a decade

“We are excited to welcome visitors to experience our parks and numerous attractions,” says Steve Brisson, Mackinac State Historic Parks Director. “We are hard at work and busy preparing to have everything ready for our spring openings.”

A completed home repair in Genesee County.
FHLBank of Indianapolis home repair programs make life-changing impacts on homeowners

The FHLBank of Indianapolis provides impactful resources for communities in Michigan and provides home repair programs and additional resources to homeowners via lenders like1st State Bank in Saginaw and Metro Community Development Corporation in Flint.

Now playing: More improvements at historic Soo Theatre

More improvements are in the works at the historic Soo Theatre in downtown Sault Ste. Marie. A successful crowdfunding campaign and matching grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation are funding the project.

Child at NEST Child Care and Parent Institute in Detroit
Michigan makes the leap to improved educational opportunities with MiLEAP

MiLEAP consolidates the expansion of Pre-K for All, Sixty by 30, which would see 60% of working-age Michiganders with a postsecondary degree or certificate by 2030, and all education in between. 

A completed home repair in Genesee County.
FHLBank of Indianapolis home repair programs make life-changing impacts on homeowners

The FHLBank of Indianapolis provides impactful resources for communities in Michigan and provides home repair programs and additional resources to homeowners via lenders like1st State Bank in Saginaw and Metro Community Development Corporation in Flint.

“We are excited to see more homegrown and out-of-state organizations that view Michigan as a promising marketplace for developing new products from recovered materials,” says Liz Browne, director of EGLE’s Materials Management Division.
Projects strengthening Michigan’s circular economy selected for business accelerator program

“We are excited to see more homegrown and out-of-state organizations that view Michigan as a promising marketplace for developing new products from recovered materials,” says Liz Browne, director of EGLE’s Materials Management Division.

The Keweenaw Historical Society in Eagle Harbor won a $2,400 grant to upgrade the gazebo welcome center at the Eagle Harbor Lighthouse.
These 12 small town history organizations win $25K in grants for upcoming projects

​“Michigan’s local history organizations play a vital role in preserving their communities’ heritage,” says HSM’s executive director and CEO, Larry Wagenaar.

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