Latest news with #MEDC
Axios
28-04-2025
- Business
- Axios
Crowdfunding program helps open community centers, dog parks
Hundreds of public spaces from Detroit to Lake Superior have benefitted from a state-sponsored crowdfunding program that recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. Why it matters: The program, Public Spaces Community Places, infuses state grants up to $50,000 or $75,000 into community crowdfunding campaigns to open playgrounds, pickleball courts, dog parks and more. Flashback: In 2018, the program helped open The Commons, a unique development on the city's east side that is part-coffee shop, part-laundromat and part-community center. "There isn't really a good community space around here," a general manager told Hour Detroit when it opened. "There's no libraries or public space, so that was also part of the plans." Case in point: Grace Johns, a barista at The Commons for two years, tells Axios she feels a real sense of community there. Customers can learn about property taxes or even pick up boxes of Eastern Market produce or canned goods that are made available on occasion. The laundromat and coffee shop blend together surprisingly well, with a colorful mural and plants surrounding the space. "A lot of laundromats in the area aren't clean. I hear that a lot from customers," Johns tells Axios. State of play: Public Spaces Community Places is a partnership of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), the Michigan Municipal League and crowdfunding platform Patronicity. Since it launched in 2014, the program has contributed more than $13 million in matching grants to more than 400 projects. More than 100 of those have been in Metro Detroit. How it works: The program is open to municipalities, community groups and nonprofits. Applicants use Patronicity's website to build out their project's parameters. Approved projects get help launching their crowdfunding campaign, press release and all. If the crowdfunding campaign is successful, the MEDC will match. The program boasts a 97% success rate. Zoom in: Curtis Jones Park, which opened in northwest Detroit in 2022, and Factory Two, a coworking space in downtown Flint, are among the program's success stories.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Statewide climate tour comes to West Michigan
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — As part of Earth Month, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation's statewide climate tour came to West Michigan Monday, highlighting local projects and businesses tackling climate change. MEDC's chief growth officer, Hilary Doe, and her team made their first stop Monday at Brewery Vivant, where staff brew and cook with solar energy from 192 panels installed on the roof above. They also compost and recycle with local partners to achieve near-zero landfill waste and aim to have at least 50% of their menu's proteins, produce, grains and dairy be locally sourced. Kent County skips landfill, moves forward with new method of waste management 'We have such a diverse agricultural economy in the state that when you can be inspired by what's growing right now … those little constraints create an opportunity to be innovative or just really focused on how we can connect people to their local environment. I think that serves as inspiration for the team,' said Kris Spaulding, owner and founder of Brewery Vivant. Federal funding cuts could hurt lakeshore conservation efforts 'Sustainable practices, in fact, really help Michigan's economy. It's a growth driver. We're helping create new jobs with these sustainable industries, for example, and our local small businesses are implementing these practices to great effect and bringing more customers through their doors,' Doe said. Other stops included a microgreens farm that grows food indoors year-round, a fashion reuse company turning textile waste into new products, and a landfill-free label manufacturer. The MEDC projects about 160,000 clean energy jobs will be created over the next decade. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
11 Michigan sites added to national historic register
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — 11 Michigan properties have been recognized for their historical significance and added to the National Register of Historic Places. The is the federal government's office list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects protected and preserved under law. The administered this designation. Property name Municipality CountyBuchanan BerrienCaro TuscolaColdwater BranchDetroit WayneDetroit WayneDetroit WayneJackson JacksonLansing InghamPlymouth WayneRogers City Presque IsleVicksburg Kalamazoo 'The historic properties listed in 2024 illustrate a rich and diverse history at the local, state, and national levels,' said State Historic Preservation Officer Ryan Schumaker in a news release sent to 6 News. More than 96,000 properties across the country, nearly 2,000 of which are in Michigan, have been added to the National Register since the program began in the 1960s. According to Schumaker, adding these sites to the National Register, 'opens opportunities for economic investment in these communities and ensures that significant places from the past remain relevant into the future.' The (MEDC) says a site must be 'generally' at least 50 years old and must be significant when evaluated in relationship to major historical events or trends in the history of their community, the state, or the nation. 'Each National Register-listed property is significant in its own way, representing important aspects of local, state, or national history. But occasionally, a newly designated site is itself the actual home for a community's own history,' said the MEDC in a news release sent to 6 News. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Michigan House OKs earmark reforms in state budget process
Reps. Ann Bollin (left) and Matt Maddock (right) on Jan. 14, 2025 | Anna Liz Nichols A resolution aimed at reforming the state budget process passed through the Michigan House Wednesday. Sponsored by state Rep. Ann Bollin (R-Brighton Twp.), the new chair of the House Appropriations Committee, House Resolution 14 lays out new rules she says will 'ensure transparency, accountability, and public benefit in all legislatively directed spending initiatives,' otherwise known as earmarks. 'Taxpayers deserve to know exactly where their money is going, why it's being spent, and how it benefits the public,' said Bollin. 'Under our new process, every dollar in these initiatives will be properly vetted and held to the highest standards of transparency.' According to a , the new rules include: A prohibition on earmarks for for-profit businesses. Projects will be limited to public bodies and eligible nonprofits. Greater accountability for sponsors. Each funding request must include detailed information, including the sponsor and co-sponsors, the intended recipient's name and location, the requested amount, the project's purpose, an explanation of public benefit, project timeline, and other key details of the project. Stricter nonprofit eligibility. Organizations must be established in Michigan for at least 36 months and maintain a physical office in the state for at least 12 months. Conflict-of-interest protections. Sponsors must certify they have no conflicts of interest with the recipient. Family members and staff of the sponsor should not serve on the nonprofit's board or be employed by the organization. Transparency reforms. Funding requests must be submitted to the House Business Office at least 14 days before consideration and made publicly available online by May 1 for 2025 and April 1 in future years. Earmarks have long been a part of the budget process, regardless of which party has controlled the Legislature and governor's mansion. They have been a key target of Republican lawmakers since revelations last year about misspending of a $20 million grant provided through the Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) to Fay Beydoun to operate a business accelerator organization. Beydoun, who had previously served on the MEDC board after being appointed by Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, obtained the grant through an earmark and was later accused of misusing the funds on personal luxuries, including a $4,500 coffee maker, and an $11,000 first-class international plane ticket. The changes follow Republicans regaining control of the state House as a result of the November election, ending the two-year Democratic trifecta of controlling both legislative chambers, as well as the governor's office. 'Politically connected individuals cannot be allowed to treat the state budget as a personal slush fund,' said Bollin. 'The people of Michigan deserve better, and we're here to deliver.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Associated Press
29-01-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Michigan Economic Development Corporation unveils 'Michigan's Roadmap to a Sustainable World' short film during WEF
'Michigan is leading in sustainability through business and policy, which is creating more opportunities for investment, job creation and cleaner communities for our citizens' — MEDC CEO Quentin L. Messer Jr. LANSING, MI, UNITED STATES, January 29, 2025 / / -- The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) unveiled 'Michigan's Roadmap to a Sustainable World,' a short film on the state's leadership and initiatives in clean energy and sustainability. Michigan is a key player in the global fight against climate change due to its combination of industrial prowess, R&D-friendly environment and commitment to sustainability through ambitious statewide targets. The film highlights these strengths by the Great Lakes State, including its partnership with cutting-edge companies that share similar sustainability goals such as Australian-based company Fortescue Zero and innovation accelerator Orange Sparkle Ball. 'We must ensure we are creating a cleaner, more sustainable planet for future generations not just here in Michigan, but around the globe,' said MEDC CEO Quentin L. Messer Jr. 'Michigan is leading in sustainability through business and policy, which is creating more opportunities for investment, job creation and cleaner communities for our citizens.' In April 2022, Michigan introduced the MI Healthy Climate Plan, which lays out a pathway for the state to reach 100% carbon neutrality by 2050. Cory Connolly, Chief Climate Officer for the State of Michigan, speaks to the plan's goal to avert the worst impacts of the climate crisis, create good-paying jobs and build a healthier, more prosperous, equitable and sustainable state for all Michiganders. Michigan leads the nation in clean energy funding through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), is No. 1 in the nation for hydrogen investment and is a top state for CHIPS Act funding in clean technologies such as semiconductors. As the clean energy sector grows in Michigan, so too must the talent pipeline. Throughout the film, Hilary Doe, Chief Growth Officer for the State of Michigan, highlights Michigan's robust STEAM talent pool, along with efforts to attract leading minds who want to do purpose-driven work. This includes a robust recruiting effort of talent from, in and outside the state, as well as the establishment of reskilling and upskilling programs for professionals to transition their skills from adjacent industries, such as automotive to clean energy. This also includes working with higher education institutions to create new college programs aligned with evolving industry needs. The film aligns with the themes for the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Switzerland addressing the most pressing global and regional challenges of climate change. . About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state's marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan's economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at Eloise McKenna
