Educational Webinar: Building a Strong ESG Framework for Long-Term Sustainability

This webinar was recorded on October 17th, 2023, but you can access it anytime.

Session

ESG (environment, social, governance) is becoming a buzz...er acronym in the business world. The finance world is developing rules and guidelines around it and companies are scrambling to jump on the bandwagon. PLUS, there are lots of government dollars with ESG strings attached.

In this webinar, we will review current ESG frameworks and how they can apply to the economic development space, current and future funding opportunities, creative partnerships, and more.

Public Sector Consultants will facilitate a robust discussion about how ESG reporting creates opportunities - not barriers - for businesses, communities, and government.

Ann Erhardt, Senior Consultant, Public Sector Consultants
Mike Troupos, CEM, CEP, Vice President, Foresight Management

Cost

MEDA Members: $30
You must be logged in to receive the member discount. If you do not know your user ID and password, contact us at 517-241-0011 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Webinar Subscribers: $0 via subscriber discount code
Staff of organizations that are webinar subscribers can register for webinars for free using their organization's subscriber discount code. To become a Webinar Subscriber or to view a current list of subscribing organizations, click here. If you do not know your organization's subscriber discount code, contact us at 517-241-0011 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Non-Members/Non-Subscribers: $45
You simply register without logging in or applying a code. If you are interested in the discounts mentioned above, see Join MEDA contact us at 517-241-0011 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Access this On-Demand Webinar

1. Payment is required at registration if you do not have a subscription code.
2. You will receive an email with a link to watch the webinar after filling out the registration form below.

Educational Webinar: Child Care - Sharing Solutions for a Better Economic Impact

This webinar was recorded on June 1st, 2023, but you can access it anytime.

Session

The cost of child care has been an ever-increasing detriment to families who struggle to balance the reality of those expenses with the ability to make choices regarding their income and employment that leads to a strong quality of life. At the same time, companies are struggling to find and keep workers.

Michigan is taking action! Learn about multiple initiatives designed to help families and how business and economic development participation can be a strong part of implementing the solutions that make needed connections for the betterment of companies, their employees, and communities as a whole.

Hear a strong example of how the MI Tri-Share program created value for Vantage Plastics and its employees!

Key Points:

• MI Tri-Share
• Great Start to Quality
• Rural Child Care Innovation Program
• Making the Case for Involvement
• and more!

Paul Aultman, Chief Executive Officer, Vantage Plastics
Julie Bash, Program Director, Great Start to Quality Eastern Resource Center
Cheryl Bergman, Executive Director, Michigan Women’s Commission, Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity
James Henderson, Michigan Director, First Children’s Finance
Rich Van Tol, Start Collaborative Coordinator, Bay-Arenac ISD Educational Service Center

Thanking Our Sponsors

Resource Development Group

Resource Development Group (RDG) is a fundraising consulting firm specifically focused on capital campaign management for economic development programming and initiatives. In addition to capital campaign management, they conduct feasibility studies; best practice research and implementation; and board and organizational restructuring. Their client base includes chambers of commerce and economic development organizations throughout the United States. RDG is based in Columbus, Ohio, with offices in Atlanta and Statesboro, Georgia, Indianapolis, Indiana, Jacksonville, Florida, and Hendersonville, North Carolina. While their real job is to provide professional campaign counsel, their mission is to help your non-profit organization elevate! Over the past 25 + years, RDG has managed over 200 client engagements, generating over two billion dollars in operating and project revenue for our clients. Contact the RDG team today!

Cost

MEDA Members: $30
You must be logged in to receive the member discount. If you do not know your user ID and password, contact us at 517-241-0011 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Webinar Subscribers: $0 via subscriber discount code
Staff of organizations that are webinar subscribers can register for webinars for free using their organization's subscriber discount code. To become a Webinar Subscriber or to view a current list of subscribing organizations, click here. If you do not know your organization's subscriber discount code, contact us at 517-241-0011 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Non-Members/Non-Subscribers: $45
You simply register without logging in or applying a code. If you are interested in the discounts mentioned above, see Join MEDA contact us at 517-241-0011 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Access this On-Demand Webinar

1. Payment is required at registration if you do not have a subscription code.
2. You will receive an email with a link to watch the webinar after filling out the registration form below.

Educational Webinar: Corporate Site Location Trends

This webinar was recorded on September 26th, 2023, but you can access it anytime.

Session

What issues will impact a Michigan company's decision to stay or leave a community? Join the leadership of the Montrose Group as they share their perspective on the Top 10 corporate site location trends and how you can prepare your community to be a top choice well in the future.

The Montrose Group is a national economic development and public policy consulting company that has negotiated over $2 billion in economic development incentives and researched and negotiated over 40 regional economic development strategic plans, and their leadership brings senior-level public and private sector experience to serving clients. Annually, the Montrose Group releases its Corporate Site Location Trends report which outlines the market, workforce, demographic, real estate, and public policy issues that companies, communities, and policymakers need to understand if they are focused on the creation of high-wage jobs and capital investment.

Wade Williams, Director of Economic Development, Montrose Group LLC

Sponsor Spotlight

Granger Construction

Since its founding as a family-owned company in 1959, Granger Construction has fostered an atmosphere of integrity, inclusiveness, and ingenuity. Granger has been ranked among the top workplaces in Michigan and places the utmost value on relationships and community. By applying the Golden Rule in our interactions with clients and employees, Granger’s workplace culture – whether in the office or on the jobsite – advances and strengthens our most valuable asset – our people. At Granger Construction, we strive to truly understand our customers’ vision and aspirations. We listen intently, collaborate closely, and consistently build results that make a positive impact on the communities they serve. Our experience across multiple market segments – from healthcare and industrial to education and government – brings to our customers a deep and broad range of expertise. This informed approach together with our guidance makes a significant difference in the ultimate success of any building endeavor.

Contact Jim Johnson, LEEP AP, Senior Director of Business Development, PH: 616-454-2900, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Cost

MEDA Members: $30
You must be logged in to receive the member discount. If you do not know your user ID and password, contact us at 517-241-0011 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Webinar Subscribers: $0 via subscriber discount code
Staff of organizations that are webinar subscribers can register for webinars for free using their organization's subscriber discount code. To become a Webinar Subscriber or to view a current list of subscribing organizations, click here. If you do not know your organization's subscriber discount code, contact us at 517-241-0011 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Non-Members/Non-Subscribers: $45
You simply register without logging in or applying a code. If you are interested in the discounts mentioned above, see Join MEDA contact us at 517-241-0011 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Access this On-Demand Webinar

1. Payment is required at registration if you do not have a subscription code.
2. You will receive an email with a link to watch the webinar after filling out the registration form below.

Economic Development In Your Place Spring Conference

The Economic Development In Your Place Spring Conference takes learning and networking to communities around Michigan with economic development stories to share. This year's event will be in Bay City on Friday, May 24th.

The agenda will cover matters that are crucial to keeping a strong economy in Michigan right now and include tours and plenty of networking time.

To develop the conference into the most informative conference with a lasting experience, MEDA's Education Committee, a volunteer group of MEDA members, plans the agenda.

Agenda

Bay City is truly a story of reinvention. The infamous Uptown project, three years of façade improvements, and that beautiful river that runs through it, have all been optimized to create a fantastic place for people and business. With an announcement at the end of 2023 of $17 million investment in three projects that will be homes to Pepsi Co., Frito Lay, and Future Technologies, Inc., it’s clear this community now has what it takes to attract!

Just because MEDA doesn’t call our conference the “Toolbox” anymore doesn’t mean we aren’t going to make sure you have the latest of top tools for communities and businesses. We’ll have updates on the Redevelopment Ready Communities program, Brownfield laws, and Economic Development Administration grants, among others.

After sessions, take a boat ride or a walk to view developments in and around Bay City as well as a unique history that made this place what it is today!

8:00 a.m. Registration Opens

8:30 a.m. Welcome to Bay City!

8:45 a.m. Retooling and Reskilling to Fit Today’s Supply Chain
From traditional tool and die to silicon wafer manufacturers, companies are investing in changes that link better into today’s supply chain. With the investments come reskilling their workers to get the job done. Learn how ReConnect, Going Pro, registered apprenticeships, and other strategies have helped companies make the changes they need for continued success in today’s environment.
Moderator: Christopher Rishko, MS, MBA, Director, Talent Solutions, Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)
Panelists: Jennifer Carroll, Director of Workforce Strategies, Delta College
Ryan Hundt, Chief Executive Officer, Michigan Works! Association
Others TBD

9:30 a.m. Networking Break

9:45 a.m. Our Friend the Brownfield
The Brownfield Redevelopment Financing Act has a long history of providing locations for industrial, commercial, and residential purposes using contaminated, blighted, functionally obsolete, or historic resources in Michigan. This comprehensive program recently underwent legislative changes regarding certain housing activities and modifying tax capture revenues. Get the latest updates and learn about the potential that remains with this power tool.
Moderator: Kurt Brauer, Partner, Warner Norcross + Judd LLP
Panelists: Samantha Mariuz, MPA, EDFP, Vice President, Economic Development Services, AKT Peerless Environmental Services
Sean Robinson, Sr. Project Manager, Great Lakes Bay Michigan Region, AKT Peerless Environmental Services
Joseph Rivet, Executive Director, State Land Bank Authority

10:45 a.m. Networking Break

11:00 a.m. Clean Energy Transition
The move to clean energy will take a lot of planning for communities and have major implications for economic development projects. With coal plants being decommissioned, gas-powered plants are filling some gaps. Solar is also increasing. These changes are going on at a time when business energy needs are growing. How will the energy of the future meet the needs during the transition?
Panelists: Kwafo Adarkwa, Director of Public Affairs, ITC
Christina Hajj, Director, Strategy & Corporate Development, DTE Energy
Sara Walz, Director of Electric Supply Planning, Consumers Energy

12:00 p.m. Lunch and Membership Meeting

1:00 p.m. State and Federal Tools that Open Doors – Concurrent Sessions

>> Redevelopment Ready Community (RRC) Toolkit Updates
The Redevelopment Ready Communities Toolkit offers an abundance of resources to help communities prepare for and attract future development. This session will review the RRC toolkit, available technical assistance support, the award-winning RRC Resiliency Toolkit, Predevelopment Assistance, Childcare Readiness work and Permit Ready Plans. This session is for you whether you are in the RRC program or still considering it for your community.
Blake Newman, Community Planner, Place, Programs, and Services, MEDC

>> Economic Development Administration (EDA) Construction Grants
There is a huge potential for more EDA Construction Grants in Michigan to aid in carrying out the design, engineering, or construction of certain physical infrastructure. Get familiar with the grant terms and conditions, uses, and more.
Lee Shirey, Economic Development Representative for Michigan and Ohio, Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce

2:00 p.m. Concurrent Tours

>> Bay City Boat Tour
Take a carefree ride on the Saginaw River and see the sights of Bay City, including some exciting economic development projects.

>> Delta College Planetarium

>> Others TBD

3:45 p.m. Networking at Old City Hall
After the tours, convene at Old City Hall for food and drinks to share your experiences and grow your network.

5:00 p.m. Adjourn

Sponsor the Spring Conference

Sponsorship Package ($1,500)*

• (1) Complimentary Registration
• Excel List of Attendees After the Event
• Exhibit Table
• Logo on Event Emails – 2 to 3 emails sent to over 4,500 contacts. Logo is linked to your website.
• Logo on Rotating Banner on MEDA Homepage
• Opportunity to Address the Audience
• Social Media Post Recognizing Contribution
• Sponsor Spotlight in MEDA Newsletter for 1 Week – Includes Logo, Description, and Contact Information. Logo is linked to your website.
• Webpage Profile - Includes Logo, Description, and Contact Information. Logo is linked to your website.

*Limited to four (4) sponsors.

Cost

Early Rates - MEDA Members $135*/Non-Members $205**
Regular Rates - MEDA Members $150*/Non-Members $220** (Start 1 week before the conference.)

*MEDA Members, if you joined in the last 12 months, you may still have a New Member Coupon that you can use to attend this program for free. Ask This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

**If not a member of MEDA, ask This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. how you can attend this program for free by joining MEDA.

Recertification Credits

This event 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 conference 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 in advance of the start time to receive a full refund. Those who do not cancel and do not attend will be charged the full price of registration.