Annual Meeting Sponsor Spotlight

Elite Corporate Investors

Consumers Energy

Consumers Energy partners with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and local and regional organizations to help new and expanding businesses choose Michigan as the best place to grow and thrive. No matter how a business begins the siting process, we’re at the table with the MEDC and local economic development agencies as a team – Team Michigan – to understand a company’s long-term goals. We connect all the dots, resulting in a seamless “we’ve got this” customer experience. That’s why industry leaders invested more than $4.2 billion and created more than 5,500 jobs in Consumers Energy’s service territory in 2023.

An Expanding Site Inventory – Consumers Energy is working alongside state and local agencies to identify, examine and inventory sites of all sizes to help ensure sites are readily available to meet increased electric demand from all industries, including EV battery, battery-component and semiconductor facilities and their supply chains.

Energy- and Cost-Saving Solutions: Attracting businesses to Michigan and keeping them here means keeping upfront and ongoing energy costs competitive. Our goal is competitively priced—or potentially zero upfront cost—energy infrastructure for business customers. When it comes to keeping energy costs low over the long haul, energy efficiency incentives for current and planned upgrades have saved our customers more than $4 billion since 2009 and offer competitive energy- and cost-saving advantages.

A Reliability Roadmap: Michiganders are facing more severe and frequent storms, so it’s up to us to step up our game to keep the lights on for our friends and neighbors who count on us. Our Reliability Roadmap is a nearly $9 billion investment in reliability and resilience with the goals of ensuring no customer ever goes more than 24 hours without power, and no single outage affects more than 100,000 customers. We are taking steps to trim trees away from power lines, embrace technology and explore burying power lines, all to reduce the number and length of power outages when Mother Nature strikes. With continued investment, technological advances like ATRs that isolate outages and reroute power in other directions, and support from regulators and key stakeholders, our plan can dramatically transform how we serve Michigan.

Leading the Clean Energy Transformation: As Michigan’s largest energy provider, Consumers Energy delivers natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. The company’s nation-leading Clean Energy Plan is a roadmap to eliminating coal by 2025, achieving net zero methane emissions by 2030, achieving net zero carbon emissions, and meeting 90 percent of the state’s energy needs with clean resources by 2040.

Powering Businesses’ Sustainability Goals: Comcast, DENSO, General Motors, Magna and US Signal are among more than 30 large employers who’ve joined Consumers Energy’s Renewable Energy Program. The program helps businesses match their energy use with locally sourced renewable energy. Subscribers receive environmental benefits from the renewable resources they’re supporting and receive bill credits to offset subscription fees and potentially lower energy bills. Our Commercial and Industrial Demand Response program rewards your business by compensating you for temporarily reducing energy use and lowering grid demand on peak days.

Reach out to Consumers Energy's Economic Development Team today.

DTE Energy

DTE is investing in technology to create a smarter, stronger, more resilient grid that delivers the energy customers demand and deserve.

The company is committed to modernizing its electric system to be more reliable and resilient to increasingly severe weather, while also delivering cleaner energy to meet its aggressive carbon reduction goals and the state of Michigan’s new clean energy legislation.

DTE is also committed to creating meaningful impact at the local level and driving economic development. DTE spent $2.7 billion with Michigan businesses in 2023, creating and sustaining more than 12,000 jobs across the state. Last year, DTE also spent $988 million with diverse suppliers and nearly $900 million with companies based in the city of Detroit. The company continually increases its spending with local businesses. In the past 13 years, DTE invested more than $21 billion with Michigan-based suppliers creating and sustaining 77,000 Michigan jobs.

DTE is also providing programs to help Michigan businesses achieve their sustainability goals. MIGreenPower, the company’s voluntary renewable energy program, is the number one program of its kind for large business customers and is helping some of southeast Michigan's most notable organizations achieve their sustainability goals. With more than 1,700 businesses and nearly 100,000 residential customers enrolled, MIGreenPower is accelerating the development of new Michigan-based renewable energy projects - projects that support our state's economy by providing millions of dollars in added tax revenue to participating communities, creating thousands of local jobs, and supplying extra revenue to the landowners that host them.

Our Economic Development team stands ready to help businesses successfully relocate or expand their operations in Michigan. From Infrastructure Financial Incentives, our XL High Load Factor Rate, to our nationally recognized energy efficiency rebates and programs, DTE will help businesses save money by investing in Michigan. You can connect with our team today to learn more about our programs and offerings.

See how DTE is modernizing the grid and serving clean energy…” in their "DTE Best for the World 2024" video.

ITC

ITC Holdings Corp. is the largest independent electricity transmission company in the U.S. – owner, and operator of high-voltage power transmission systems in seven states, with an eighth in development. ITC’s investments in power transmission infrastructure lower electricity costs, improve service reliability and safety, and increase economic activity and tax revenues for customers, stakeholders, and communities. Contact Nora Balgoyen, EDFP, Senior Area Manager, PH: 269-792-7228, nbalgoyen@itctransco.com.

ITC Michigan - Click here to watch the video.

Connecting Business to Energy Infrastructure - ITC is different from other utilities in that we focus only on electric transmission infrastructure, which plays a vital role in economic development. That’s one of the reasons ITC invests in a modern, robust power transmission grid. As a result of our sustained investments, ITC’s transmission systems routinely perform in the top tier of utilities nationally for service reliability. Our energy-intensive customers connected to ITC at transmission-level voltage expect nothing less.

Connecting Customers to the Power Grid - ITC’s sole focus on transmission allows us to facilitate the reliable and efficient delivery of electricity to our wholesale customers – regardless of the generation source.  ITC is committed to:

• Providing reliable wholesale electric service
• Ensuring system capacity for the demands of tomorrow
• Enabling electric customers and generators access to competitive wholesale markets

Providing a Critical Link to Tailored Power Solutions - Our ongoing assessment of electric transmission needs for the grid is driven by the requirements of energy-intensive customers, and include:

• Transmission infrastructure investment
• Premier electric reliability
• Focus on power quality
• Knowledge of available system capacity

Facilitating Strong State and Local Economies - ITC connect a variety of industrial customers at transmission-level voltage including:

• Investor-owned, vertically integrated electric utilities
• Commercial/large load connectors and site selectors
• Municipal utilities
• Co-ops
• Independent power producers or non-utility generators
• Developers and subscribers of contracted, merchant transmission lines

Click here to learn more about ITC.

Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation, in collaboration with more than 100 economic development partners, markets Michigan as the place to do business, assists businesses in their growth strategies, and fosters the growth of vibrant communities across the state. Contact an MEDC Representative for assistance.

Make it in Michigan - Click here to watch the video.

Supporting Small Business – In Michigan, nearly every indicator of our success is influenced and reflected by our small businesses. At the MEDC, we value both the financial and community contributions small businesses make by preserving culture, promoting innovation, and attracting and retaining talent to help sustain and grow our great state for generations to come. The MEDC’s Small Business Services and Business Solutions team exemplifies our heightened focus on supporting small businesses of all sizes – from micro to growth stage – across the state. We are inspired by Michigan’s small businesses, and proud to help them thrive. We provide support to Michigan's entrepreneurs and small businesses through grants, loans, and other services. Click here for more.

Building Strong Communities – To be vibrant and competitive, Michigan communities must be proactive, including planning for new investments, identifying assets and opportunities, and focusing limited resources. The MEDC Place, Programs, & Services team is proud to be the first state agency in the nation to produce a comprehensive “toolkit” on such resiliency measures for local communities, and prouder to support them in their journey to get there. Whether you need help through technical assistance programs, financial incentives, or simply knowledge-sharing, we are happy to support you. Click here to learn more.

Select Corporate Sponsor

Plante Moran Realpoint

Plante Moran Cresa and REIA have joined together as Plante Moran Realpoint, a real estate firm that is truly “built different”. More than 125 multidisciplinary professionals bring together comprehensive, end-to-end services and deep industry specialization in corporate, public sector, healthcare, religious institutes and senior living spaces as well as in development and mixed-use projects. Plante Moran Realpoint is seamlessly integrated with Plante Moran, one of the largest accounting and consulting firms. Together, we bring the resources of more than 3,800 professionals across the country. Learn more at pmrealpoint.com.

Michigan State Housing Development Authority

The Michigan State Housing Development Authority serves the people of Michigan by partnering to provide quality affordable housing solutions in support of diverse, equitable, thriving communities. We forge creative and collaborative partnerships, share knowledge and resources, and invest in communities, so everyone in Michigan can afford a safe, quality place to call home in the community of their choice. We have been Michigan’s best way home for 58 years and look forward to opening more doors to housing for generations to come.

MSHDA's Why - Click here to watch the video.

Housing TIF is a new funding stream for housing development activities that all economic development professionals should be knowledgeable about. The law was signed by the Governor in July 2023, and establishes that all new housing projects making use of this revenue source must be reviewed by MSHDA staff. Additionally, this program can be deployed for any property - it does not have to be designated brownfield or obsolete, unlike the historical uses of this tool for economic development.

MSHDA's Housing TIF staff lead is Josh Campbell, reachable at mshda-tif@michigan.gov. The success of this program depends on your active participation as experts on economic development and your local community - please don't hesitate to reach out with any input and feedback you may have on this program as it continues to deploy around the state.

Here's what you need to consider to ensure a successful Housing TIF development:

• Does the work plan align with local & statewide housing needs as demonstrated through ag least one of the following:
  • Local Housing Needs Assessment (current within three years)
  • Detailed third-party Market Study for the area
  • Alignment with the governor's Statewide Housing Plan
  • Alignment with an adopted Regional Housing Plan
• Property information:
  • Current and future ownership of the eligible property
  • Historical and current use of each eligible property
  • Summary of the proposed development and all future use
• Ownership & development team:
  • Financial capacity and experience
  • Program capacity to monitor price & income
• Development/reimbursement agreement:
  • Ongoing, if required, price & income certification/monitoring for residential units
  • Details of all ownership interests
  • All monetary considerations, fees, revenue, cost sharing, charges, and other financial arrangements
• Eligible activities:
  • Review of purchase agreement and development cost budget (sources/uses) for inclusion of all eligible activities
  • Review for reasonableness

Gold Sponsor

Ann Arbor SPARK

For more than 15 years, Ann Arbor SPARK has served the greater Ann Arbor region as a catalyst for economic development. They accomplish this by building awareness of the region as a community that advocates for business and manufacturing development and growth. The SPARK team of experts attracts, develops, strengthens, and invests in driving industries to help our communities prosper. SPARK partners with and represents local municipalities to support and enhance their economic development efforts, which allows them access to national site selectors and international exposure, the benefit of regional marketing efforts, and superior project management support. SPARK reports on its successes and challenges to local economic development staff and city councils. While Ann Arbor SPARK’s core programs are designed for companies and individuals primarily located in Washtenaw County, the organization’s support extends to the six-county Greater Ann Arbor Region (GAAR) which includes Jackson, Lenawee, Monroe, Livingston, and Hillsdale counties. Economic development requires collaboration, and SPARK is committed to bringing together partners — like the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Michigan Works! Southeast, city, and municipal partners, academic institutions, and others — to support the growth of companies and the creation of jobs. Contact Ann Arbor SPARK.

Localintel

There's a new way to showcase your location's strengths! Adding Localintel’s insights and interactive data visualization tools throughout your website will communicate your location’s advantages more effectively, keep people engaged on your website longer and share critical data businesses need. In early 2016 the co-founders of Localintel observed that most communities lacked the time and budget to harness the power of technology to attract businesses and talent as well as support existing businesses. They set out to change this. Fast forward to 2023 and hundreds of communities across the US and Canada use Localintel products to identify and showcase what makes their communities a desirable place for businesses to operate and talent to live. Through hard work and constantly listening to needs of communities and business, Localintel has become one of the most innovative location intelligence companies in the world. Contact Dave Parsell, CEO, PH: 403-554-0982, dave@localintel.co.

Opening Reception Sponsor

Warner Norcross + Judd LLP

At Warner Norcross + Judd LLP, client service and teamwork form the foundation of its organization. Boasting a team of over 230 attorneys spanning 14 industry groups and 18 specialized practice areas, Warner meets the legal needs of clients across Michigan, the United States and globally. They deliver sophisticated legal services, encompassing thousands of cases annually, spanning litigation, corporate transactions, regulatory affairs and estate matters for a diverse clientele comprising businesses, nonprofits and individuals.

Warner’s Economic Incentives Practice Group − When projects powered by economic incentives succeed, they harness human ingenuity, innovative yet airtight investments and collaborative relationships to fuel commerce, produce profits, generate jobs, build homes and businesses and enhance cities. Highly regarded for our top-tier, efficient client service, our multidisciplinary team knows how to make multiparty partnerships work, often creating something out of nothing. We collaborate closely with businesses, developers, investors, nonprofit entities, local, state and federal agencies and others to secure financial incentives for our clients. We then help them every step of the way on projects that drive development and enrich the communities in which we live, work and grow.

Setting the Standard in Michigan and Beyond − Warner offers clients the largest economic incentives team in the state of Michigan and, in terms of years of experience and range of expertise, one of the deepest legal-business benches in the nation. Because of our nationally recognized knowledge and strategic skills in environmental, real estate, tax, finance and administrative law and our history of headline-making success, many consider us an economic-incentive powerhouse. But we remain humble. Our attorneys believe clients deserve the credit for placing their names and livelihoods at risk as we work together to launch and complete projects. Our team serves a wide range of businesses and nonprofits on a full spectrum of enterprises, from $500,000 to $1 billion developments and everything in-between. We give every client our undivided focus regardless of the project’s size and dollar value.

Warner routinely works with over 50 types of incentives. Some of the most popular incentives include:

• Brownfield TIF Funding
• Community Revitalization Program
• Business Development Program
• Industrial Facilities Tax Abatement (Public Act 198)
• Neighborhood Enterprise Zone (NEZ)
• Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act (OPRA)
• Local TIF Districts
• New Markets Tax Credits
• Federal Historic Tax Credits
• Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)
• MDEQ Grants and Loans
• Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC)

Warner uses a variety and a combination of the above tax credits to help numerous clients realize their development dreams. Here’s a snapshot of some of the projects where Warner made an impact:

• Venue Tower: $32.7 Million Entertainment and Apartment/Condominium Project Warner helped secure a Brownfield Michigan Business Tax Credit totaling $4.52 million and tax increment financing through the City of Grand Rapids Downtown Development Authority Development Support Program totaling approximately $1.75 for the project. Warner established the joint venture and helped facilitate the land acquisition and drafting and negotiation of myriad agreements, including development agreements, condominium documents, and agreements with neighbors and the City of Grand Rapids.
• Downtown Market, Grand Rapids, MI: $30 Million Design, Construction and Real Estate Project for Retail, Restaurant and Agriculture Warner helped secure a $5.2 million Brownfield Michigan Business Tax Credit, a $3 million community revitalization loan from the Michigan Strategic Fund, Brownfield Tax Increment Financing of $3.5 million, Downtown Development Authority Tax Increment Financing and other grants and loans from the Department of Environmental Quality and the U.S. EPA for environmental cleanup. They structured the design and demolition construction contracts for the project and prepared and negotiated the documentation necessary to establish the public private partnerships of the Downtown Market. Additionally, Warner created documents for ground leases, market hall vendor leases, retail tenant leases, restaurant leases, office users and myriad other tenancies, and parking on-site and off-site.
• Lormax Stern Development, Detroit, MI: $33 Million Meijer Grocery and Retail Project Warner secured a $3.3 million Brownfield Michigan Business Tax (MBT) credit and $6.5 million in Brownfield Tax Increment Financing (TIF) incentives in a relatively short period of time. Warner’s team credits its relationship with Detroit officials, state officials and the Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) for their success.
• Zingerman’s Delicatessen, Ann Arbor, MI: $6.7 Million Expansion Project

Warner helped control long-term and short-term costs throughout the project by securing a $1.18 million Michigan Business Tax credit, $817,265 in Brownfield Tax Increment Financing Incentives, and a $407,000 grant from the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority. No project is too large or too small – and they meet you where you are and where you plan to grow. Every project is unique, and the depth and breadth of experience positions Warner as the law firm best suited to deliver the incentives that work for you and within your timeline and budget.

Contact: Jared Belka, Partner, Warner Norcross + Judd LLP, 150 Ottawa Ave NW, Suite 1500, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, PH: 616-752-2447, jbelka@wnj.com, wnj.com.

Lunch Sponsor

Public Sector Consultants

Public Sector Consultants aims to improve the quality of life for residents of Michigan and beyond through the development and implementation of innovative, actionable public policies. We are a certified Women-owned Small Business and a Women’s Business Enterprise committed to creating a space for all voices to be heard and understood.

Our skilled team is trusted, respected, and engaged in our community. When you work with us you get smart people who draw on functional expertise, analytical approaches, and reliable research to bridge what’s real with what’s ideal. We focus on your big issues and design workable solutions that drive results.

It feels different to work with PSC because we bring fresh perspectives, mutual trust, and infectious energy to every project. Our deep understanding of the issues you face, the populations you serve, and the stakeholders to whom you are accountable makes working with us feel like an extension of your team. We offer a full suite of services to help you solve public policy problems, break down complexities, define measurable milestones, and move steadily toward executing and achieving your goals.

Contact Rachel Kuntzsch, President, PH: 517-285-0460, rkuntzsch@publicsectorconsultants.com.

Silver Sponsors

Albert Kahn Associates, Inc.

For 125 years, Albert Kahn Associates, Inc. has committed to designing and engineering innovative facilities that surpass the needs of its clients. Guided by the legacy of our founder Albert Kahn and a passion for architecture and engineering, Kahn commits to putting their clients first and delivering a remarkable product. Having designed over 45,000 projects around the world, Kahn’s expertise starts with architecture, engineering, interior design, program management, and master planning, and spans through commissioning, business and management needs, strategic facilities planning, value, and sustainability analysis.

Fishbeck

Sixty years after its founding, more than 500 staff members throughout three states have made. Fishbeck is one of the premier professional consulting firms in the nation. Engineering, environmental sciences, architecture, and construction management are the cornerstones of Fishbeck’s services and integrated project approach. Like you, Fishbeck's team are innovators, designers, scientists, and visionaries. Architects of the next generation, their work provides the platform for your growth and development. Fishbeck's integrated services in engineering, environmental sciences, and architecture allow them to maximize coordination and collaboration. Then, responsive communication, budget, and schedule sensitivity, and the constant pursuit of technical excellence help them transform your ideas into reality. Above all, Fishbeck believes in harmony between your project and the natural environment, and their approach is created with this balance in mind. Contact Fishbeck’s today at 800-456-3824, info@fishbeck.com, or Fishbeck's Team webpage.

Established in 1956, Fishbeck is a 100-percent employee-owned firm with 15 offices throughout Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana. Our projects range from small feasibility, planning, and regulatory studies to very large design and construction projects. Our civil division ranges from civil engineers to surveyors to stormwater/drainage experts. The environmental division specializes in a broad array of services from due diligence/brownfields to industrial hygiene and remediation. Complete building design capabilities is the hallmark of our architectural division; supported by structural, mechanical, and electrical engineers. Design/build services and construction management drive our construction division.

Fishbeck’s mission is to meet our clients’ needs and achieve our business goals in a manner that exemplifies our core values. Our mission basics include:

• Providing innovative and excellent designs within budget.
• Working in a supportive and synergistic way with other team members of all disciplines.
• Considering the client a project team member.
• Knowing the program requirements and meeting them in the simplest, most constructible, cost-effective manner.
• Aligning expectations with clients’ needs, budgets, and the scope of our services.
• Conducting preschematic multidiscipline brainstorming.
• Keeping cost estimates updated, informing the client, and designing to stay within approved estimates.
• Conducting QA/QC reviews at appropriate milestones to minimize redesign.
• Minimizing addenda, bulletins, and change orders.

Minimizing allowances, alternatives, and construction phase interiors and finishes selections.

We are listeners, collaborators, and partners. Fishbeck’s ability to connect across our numerous in-house disciplines allows us to see the big picture and, because we approach each project from many different perspectives, gives us an unparalleled ability to innovate. We are a hands-on, design-oriented practice at heart. Our experts take pride in our commitment to reliability in design, connection to our clients, and creativity at our core. We take personal responsibility for helping each other, clients, and colleagues succeed, as we fulfill our core purpose; to help our clients realize their vision while benefiting society.

Fourth Economy

Fourth Economy is a national consulting firm dedicated to helping communities and organizations create strategic, equitable, and resilient futures. Our team partners with leaders in government, business, academia, and the community to design more prosperous communities and achieve equitable outcomes. We combine research, strategic planning, and engagement to provide our clients with the data, tools, and actionable strategies they need to grow their economies. We specialize in creating strong regional economies, leveraging the economic potential of arts, culture, and outdoor recreation, growing the workforce of the future, building equitable communities, and helping communities identify and address gaps and needs.

Contact Sally J. Guzik, Vice President, at Sally.Guzik@fourtheconomy.com to learn how Fourth Economy can support your community’s vision today.

Lean and Green Michigan

Lean & Green Michigan helps commercial, industrial, multifamily, nonprofit, and agricultural property owners finance energy efficiency, water conservation, and renewable energy projects that are profitable for all parties – property owners, contractors, and local governments. They are one of America’s first statewide Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) initiatives – and Michigan’s marketplace for energy efficiency and renewable energy financing. This public-private partnership uses Michigan's new PACE statute but takes a market-based approach to energy finance and economic development. Contact Todd Williams, President & General Counsel, todd@leanandgreenmi.com.

Michigan Center for Employee Ownership

The Michigan Center for Employee Ownership serves as the central hub for information and resources around employee ownership in Michigan. Employee ownership is a business model in which employees collectively own a percentage of the business for which they work. Two of the main forms are Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) and worker cooperatives. In both, employees are given a financial stake in the business. As the business prospers, employees prosper.

• Over the next 10 years, more than 4 million U.S. businesses owned by retiring baby boomers will change hands or dissolve
• More than half of all small business owners do not have a succession plan
• Many businesses will be sold and leave the state of MI, or close their doors permanently, resulting in lost jobs, tax base, and community impacts

Contact Roy Messing, Executive Director, Michigan Center for Employee Ownership, PH: 440-567-1060, rmessing@miceo.org, to learn how you can help companies make a successful transition of ownership and keep businesses active in your region.

The Silver Tsunami: A Looming Threat to Communities Across Michigan

Economic developers are working hard to attract and retain businesses in their communities. They have to offer very competitive packages to attract new businesses and ensure that the existing businesses are properly incentivized to stay. While such threats are rightfully front and center for most economic developers, there is another threat that is slowly building that has probably not been addressed.

Michigan, like the rest of the country, is facing the “Silver Tsunami.” That is, as business owners aged 55 plus approach retirement, what comes next for them and for the enterprises they run?

How concerned should your agency be about the Silver Tsunami? Let’s break it down. Here are the statistics of the privately held businesses owned by individuals who will retire in the next ten years:

• Total firms: 80,000 firms
• Number of employees: 1,000,000
• Annual revenues: $2 billion
• Annual payroll:  $40 billion.

The impact on the community and those who work with the business can be huge. The issue is more acute in many rural communities across Michigan. About half of the counties in Michigan have over 50% of the privately held businesses owned by these individuals. What is the impact on your community if 25% of the private businesses disappeared in the next 5 or 10 years?

There are three general ownership transfers when the existing owner exits the business:

• Internal - someone already involved in or associated with the business
• External – a competitor, a strategic buyer, or a financial buyer (has resources and wants to experience running a business)
• Cease operations, liquidate, layoff the employees, shutter the business

Far too often the outcome of an owner exiting the ownership of their business is negative for the community. In the case of an “external” sale, especially when private equity is the buyer, the bulk of the local business operations cease or are greatly diminished within a few years. The local community suffers the loss of the financial and ancillary impact when the company just ceases operations.

Most company owners haven’t planned for their exit from the business. A recent life insurance company survey indicates that 75% of business owners don’t have an exit plan. Unfortunately, many of them don’t know where to start with planning their exit. An economic developer who is knowledgeable about the exit planning process and options can encourage the business owner to become educated about how to transition the business to the next owner(s).

Let’s face it – when business owners are looking to retire, they start exploring their options. Maximizing the sale proceeds is often a key goal. Many are also concerned about the impact on various stakeholders in the enterprise (family, employees, customers, vendors, and community). Transfers to a family member are becoming rarer, so owners must consider other options. Selling to a third party, especially in the case of private equity, doesn’t always generate the owner’s desired outcome for the stakeholders. The owner may want to consider Employee Ownership, which is a lesser-known option.  Either through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), a Worker Cooperative, or an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), a retiring business owner can use employee ownership as an exit strategy depending on the owner and company’s goals and circumstances. The Employee Ownership option is a great way to leave a legacy in your community. Of course, there may be potential tax advantages for the selling owner.

Nonprofit groups like ours can offer owners and their advisors a manageable pathway to exploring exit planning and employee ownership if that is a viable option. The Michigan Center for Employee Ownership provides the information you can use to help your customers explore the employee ownership option. Our educational information is provided in a self-paced format, so business owners don’t feel like they’re drinking from a fire hose.  We can also provide a preliminary assessment to determine if employee ownership is a potential exit strategy. We can refer your clients to qualified partners to address advanced aspects of employee ownership transitions.

While employee ownership might not be the ideal exit strategy for every business owner, it can be the right fit for many. Our experience and research show that employee ownership helps small business owners leave a legacy, preserve local jobs, and protect income over time.

Roy Messing is the Executive Director of the Michigan Center for Employee Ownership. Go to www.miceo.org for more information.

Rudolph Libbe Group

The Rudolph Libbe Group is a single-source provider of construction and facility services that range from site selection and construction to energy solutions and ongoing facility management. The full-service contractor, comprised of Rudolph Libbe Inc., GEM Inc., GEM Energy, Lehman Daman, and Rudolph Libbe Properties, is focused on ensuring that its customers succeed. The Rudolph Libbe Group has locations in Greater Detroit, Cleveland, Columbus, and Lima and is headquartered in Toledo, Ohio. Contact Ben Eisel, Business Development Manager, Rudolph Libbe Group, at 419-601-3718 or 734-455-3131.

DESIGN/BUILD

Based on complexity, traditional construction methods are not always the best answer, particularly when a design needs to be created around the owner’s process, budget, or timeline and not done to spec. By using the design/build method of construction delivery, projects can be done more affordably, faster, and safer.

RLG’s design/build approach optimizes participation among all the project stakeholders. It brings everyone involved in the planning, design, and construction together earlier rather than later.

Each member of this preconstruction team – which includes the owner, architect, engineer, and design/build contractor – considers key questions to help optimize the project. Critical design changes needed to prevent or correct potential problems before they become “baked in” to the design are discussed upfront. This communication mitigates the high risk of cost overruns and construction delays before they happen.

SELF-PERFORM

The trade construction capabilities that RLG self-performs — Civil, Concrete, Mechanical, Electrical, Carpentry, Masonry, Millwright, Boilermaker, and Structural Steel — directly translate into positive outcomes for our client's business. Employees who work directly for us mean better control over safety, on-time schedules, and successful delivery.

RLG’s multi-discipline trades, with decades of preconstruction and consulting experience, ensure project and job site safety, accurate budgets, high-quality services, and minimized risk and disruption to a facility’s daily operations.

PREFABRICATION/MODULARIZATION

RLG has continuous access to many disciplines that can fabricate major parts of a project. Using in-house Virtual Design and Construction professionals to ensure fabrication is accurate, safe, and will work at the jobsite installations, RLG can coordinate the work more efficiently instead of encountering interferences that can happen during construction.

Equipment that is fabricated at one of RLG’s three shops is completed safer, faster, and more cost-efficiently than on-site at customer locations, particularly when projects occur in facilities with ongoing operations. This includes prefabricating modular units/skids which include all piping, insulation, control valves, and electrical.

By eliminating the need to outsource welding, fabrication, and insulation jacketing work, customer projects are successfully completed in a controlled environment and delivered directly to the job site for installation by our self-perform trades.

2024 OUTLOOK

2024 has been an unprecedented year for the Rudolph Libbe Group Southeast Michigan office in terms of our customers’ growth, expansion, and emergence into new markets and sectors. Our chemical sector clients are receiving orders at new levels and utilizing our turnkey services to maintain plant operations. The energy sector has been roaring and we have supported numerous clients through control room and conference room renovations. Several customers are rearranging their campuses and integrating new energy solutions.

We are also supporting a huge wave in the auto sector. The large automotive companies and their Tier 2s, from steel manufacturers to sub-assembly providers, are expanding rapidly. This rapid growth phase is restricted only slightly by the supply of materials and manpower. We see this trend as the limiting factor going forward through the next year. Our company has the capacity for additional work utilizing a strong network of supporting companies that use pre-purchases and large-scale buying power. When plans change or emergencies arise, long-term partnerships and turnkey solutions become more important than ever. Facility maintenance is key to keeping buildings fine-tuned for productivity, energy efficiency, comfort, and reduction in operating costs. It’s essential to keep planning for the future.

When it’s time to grow – with new construction, renovations, new equipment, or processes – knowing all the design and construction options is fundamental. RLG’s discretionary property and real estate services can help you source land and facilities with a keen eye toward state, municipal, and workforce-based incentives. And, for every project, safety is a core value for everyone on-site, especially in these challenging and stressful times. For more information about Rudolph Libbe Group and our Southeast Michigan office, please visit RLGbuilds.com.

Site Selection Magazine

The amazing first edition of the Michigan Guide was produced by the experienced team at Site Selection Magazine. https://siteselection.com/cc/michigan/

For over 70 years, Site Selection Magazine has consistently been an award-winning, top-rated, and highly respected publication. The publication covers all things economic development, offering actionable insight into corporate and industrial expansion worldwide.

Site Selection Magazine is published every other month and mailed directly to almost 42,000 C-suite level corporate executives, providing exclusive insight into strategies, real estate markets, industry trends, and all major key factors involved in corporate facility planning.

Contact Cathy McFarland, Regional Director, PH: 770-325-3444, Catherine.McFarland@conway.com, to learn about marketing opportunities.

Breakfast/Coffee Sponsor

Oliver/Hatcher Construction

Since 1995, Oliver / Hatcher Construction has provided general contracting and construction management services for projects in the warehouse/distribution, industrial, manufacturing, office, hospitality, retail, and healthcare industries. Ranked as a top Southeast Michigan Contractor by CRAIN's Detroit Business, OHC has constructed and renovated more than 40+ million square feet of space. Learn more about Oliver / Hatcher Construction by visiting our website at www.oliverhatcher.com and contact Mike Sabrosky, Vice President of Business Development, PH: 248-374-1100, msabrosky@oliverhatcher.com to connect!

Early Arrivals Reception Sponsor

Butzel Long

Excellence, Drive, Trust, and Teamwork—Butzel clients are assured of our commitment to our core values in everything we do.

Butzel exists to provide excellent service to help our clients achieve their goals and solve their problems. Business leaders have turned to Butzel for innovative, highly effective, cost-efficient legal counsel for 170 years. Founded in 1854, the firm has played a prominent role in the development and growth of several major industries. We have a long and successful history when it comes to developing new capabilities and deepening our expertise—all for the benefit of our clients. We’re proud to carry on as we have for decades, staying ahead of developments in technology, manufacturing, e-commerce, biotechnology, intellectual property, and cross-border operations and transactions.

The bench at Butzel is deep and comprised of veteran attorneys with decades of experience—and an enviable record of success when it comes to economic development across industries. We offer services in a vast array of specialties and sectors. We help entities of all sizes in Michigan, nationally, and across the globe to navigate economic development from the ideation stage to launch and beyond.

Butzel is a founding member and the exclusive member firm in Michigan of Lex Mundi, the world’s leading network of independent law firms with in-depth experience in 100+ countries worldwide. Our attorneys offer counsel and representation in a multitude of practice areas:

• Aerospace and Defense
• Aerospace & Defense Industry Team
• Antitrust & Trade Regulation
• Appellate Law
• Appellate Specialty Team
• Automotive Industry Team
• Automotive Law
• Bankruptcy & Restructuring
• Business
• Cannabis Law Specialty Team
• China International Team
• Construction
• Construction Specialty Team
• Corporate and Finance
• Cybersecurity and Privacy Specialty Team
• E-Discovery Specialty Team
• Education Industry Team
• Emerging Technology Specialty Team
• Employee Benefits
• Environment, Energy & Sustainability
• Estate & Succession Planning
• Estate Transfer Tax Planning
• Europe International Team
• Family Law and Personal Services
• Franchise Specialty Team
• Government Relations and Regulatory Specialty Team
• Governmental
• Health Care
• Health Care Industry Team
• Immigration
• India International Team
• Intellectual Property
• International Business
• International Trade and Customs Specialty Team
• Israel International Team
• Korea International Team
• Labor and Employment
• Lex Mundi
• Litigation and Dispute Resolution
• Media, Entertainment, and Digital Content Law Specialty Team
• Media Law
• Mediation and Arbitration Specialty Team
• Mexico International Team
• Minority Business Enterprise Specialty Team
• Nonprofit Organizations
• Public Private Partnerships
• Qualified Retirement Plans
• Real Estate
• Tax
• Technology
• Telecommunications and Technology
• Trade Secret & Non-Compete Specialty Team
• Tribal Law Specialty Team
• Wage and Hour Specialty Team
• White Collar Criminal Defense

Contact: Nicholas Stasevich, Shareholder; PH: 313-225-7035; Email: stasevich@butzel.com

Bronze Sponsors

Battle Creek Unlimited, Inc.

For over 50 years, Battle Creek Unlimited (BCU) has been instrumental in fostering economic opportunities in Southwest Michigan. As the economic development entity for the City of Battle Creek, this private nonprofit organization has been recognized for its commitment to enhancing the city's growth and prosperity. Recipient of the 2024 Mac Conway Award for Excellence in Economic Development and other accolades, BCU offers a range of services to support new and expanding companies as well as those considering relocating to Battle Creek. These services support their overall mission of generating investment in their community and include providing resources such as site selection, redevelopment assistance, community development, access to financing, and other essential tools within the city. Contact Battle Creek Unlimited.

Detroit Regional Partnership

The Detroit Regional Partnership is a regional economic development nonprofit serving Southeast Michigan’s 11-county region. Founded in 2019 by a group of business and philanthropic CEOs, the organization is laser-focused on marketing the region to out-of-state and international companies to attract investments and jobs. Contact DRP.

Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP)

With many partners across the mid-Michigan region comprised of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties, the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) has played a significant role in evolving and stabilizing the regional economy to shift away from a traditional overreliance on the education, automotive, and government sectors. Though all three remain crucial to a strong regional economy, LEAP’s strategic efforts to diversify industry have paved a sustainable path toward continued growth. Learn more about LEAP's work here, and contact their dynamic team to grow in Mid-Michigan.

Mannik & Smith Group, Inc.

The Mannik & Smith Group, Inc. (MSG) offers an innovative and solution-oriented approach to helping clients complete successful projects by employing creativity to solve problems, maximizing value, and reaching cost-effective client solutions. MSG offers a full array of consulting services for both the public and private sectors including, but not limited to Civil/Structural Design and Permitting, Construction Engineering, Cultural Resources, Environmental, Geotechnical, Landscape Architecture, Planning/Funding Strategies/Grant Writing, Program Management, and Surveying. MSG offers an unparalleled diversity of infrastructure-related services to public, private, energy, institutional, and philanthropic clients. The firm’s mission is to help clients overcome hurdles to get their projects developed quickly while addressing infrastructure needs and regulatory requirements. Infrastructure is very expensive – and solving infrastructure needs most cost-effectively is their primary value to their clients. The firm has played a major role for over 20 years in the City of Detroit’s ongoing revitalization. Visit www.MannikSmithGroup.com or contact Steve Mihalec, PH: 734-598-1810, smihalec@manniksmithgroup.com today!

Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) houses four bureaus and is comprised of eight divisions that use a customer-driven, solution-oriented approach to cultivate and expand new economic opportunities for the food and agricultural sector; safeguard the public’s food supply; inspect and enforce sound animal health practices; control and eradicate plant pests and diseases threatening the $104.7 billion food and agriculture system; preserve the environment by which the farming community makes their living and feeds consumers; and protect consumers by enforcing laws relating to weights and measures. The Agriculture Development Bureau (AgD) delivers expertise and leadership to support growth of Michigan's food, agriculture and forest product industries and communities. Working hand-in-hand with community partners and other state and federal agencies, the team strives to create a culture of seamless customer service delivery to existing and new businesses. The team connects businesses to technical and development resources including funding and financing, regulatory assistance or international trade as well as providing forest assistance and qualified forest programs, farmland preservation, and regulatory and inspection services throughout the state. For more information contact MDARD-AgD@michigan.gov or visit MDARD - Bureaus and Programs (michigan.gov).

Michigan State University College of Human Medicine

Michigan State University College of Human Medicine is an academic division of Michigan State University that grants the Doctor of Medicine degree, emphasizing patient-centered care and a biopsychosocial approach to caring for patients. Their campuses are located in Detroit, Flint, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Midland, Southfield, Traverse City, and Marquette, providing medical education and research that supports the well-being of Michigan's communities. The College of Human Medicine was the lead college in developing the Grand Rapids Innovation Park through the use of a P3. The Doug Meijer Medical Innovation Building includes a startup incubator, which is managed by Spartan Innovation. Contact Jerry O. Kooiman, MPA, Assistant Dean for External Relations, PH: 616-234-2604, kooiman@msu.edu to learn more about the possibilities of partnering with the college.

Michigan Works! Association

The Michigan Works! Association provides services and support to Michigan’s workforce development system. Through the Association, members can access timely, relevant professional development opportunities and ensure high-quality programs for all customers. Contact their team at mwassociation@michiganworks.org today!

Michigan's University Research Corridor

The University Research Corridor is an alliance between the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Wayne State University to transform, strengthen, and diversify the state’s economy. The URC partners have formed this alliance to improve understanding of the vital role the three universities have played and will play, in revitalizing the state’s economy. The collaborative effort will disseminate useful information for key stakeholders, including the business community, researchers and students, policymakers, and other investors. In doing so, the universities hope to enhance our outreach and collaborative efforts, speed up technology transfer and development, and communicate the advantages of doing business here. Contact the URC team to learn more: https://urcmich.org/contact/

Midland Business Alliance (MBA)

The MBA is Midland’s fully integrated business hub, serving a vibrant community in which people, industry, and businesses prosper. Serving more than 3,000 businesses, from start-ups to industry-leading Fortune 50 companies - Midland is truly Michigan, Centered. With an incredible quality of life and a talented concentration of engineers, researchers, and innovators; Midland is the place for business. The MBA recently launched its Housing Forward initiative, a holistic approach to developing and rehabilitating attainable housing throughout Midland County. Contact the MBA team to learn more today!

SME

SME is recognized for creatively solving facility and infrastructure performance problems, adding value, and reducing life cycle costs. For more than 55 years, SME has provided professional services at over 100,000 projects in the Great Lakes region and beyond. We are passionate about building and revitalizing our world, and our experts provide practical solutions for the natural and built environments. Whether developing a new greenfield site or redeveloping an existing brownfield site; constructing or rehabilitating infrastructure including roads and bridges and other utilities; or acquiring, rehabilitating or managing existing facilities, SME can help. We specialize in geotechnical, environmental, pavement, building and construction materials, building enclosures, and metals and coatings consulting and design services. We recognize your projects are never easy. Challenges abound, risks are inherent, and budgets and schedules are tight. The tougher the challenge, the more SME can help. For more information, visit www.sme-usa.com or contact Davin Ojala, Senior Project Consultant, PH: 269-323-3555, or ojala@sme-usa.com.

The Boldt Company

The Boldt Company is one of the leading construction management firms in the United States. The firm is a nationally recognized leader in Integrated Lean Project Delivery® within a variety of markets including industrial, healthcare, commercial, and energy and power. Boldt is headquartered in Appleton, Wisconsin, and has 18 offices nationwide. For more information www.boldt.com. Boldt is helping the world by challenging construction norms. Seeing what can be and achieving every vision. We develop and build the extraordinary. From straightforward to technically complex, our focus goes beyond building great things. It’s bringing together people, ideas, and innovative methods to blaze new trails and improve tomorrow’s landscape. It’s helping the world build boldly. Contact Linda Rosati, Director of Business Development, PH: 947-465-9092, Linda.Rosati@boldt.com.

Friends of MEDA Sponsors

Business Finance Corporation

Flint and Genesee Economic Alliance

The Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance (FGEA) works to advance prosperity for the residents of Genesee County. The FGEA does its work by supporting business growth, retention, and attraction efforts in marketing the county and serving as the convener of local resources available to ensure business success. From launching start-ups to locating global operations, the FGEA’s dedicated team walks alongside business leaders in pursuit of their goals. It is through these efforts and this posture of service that the FGEA embodies its mantra that “Flint & Genesee is what opportunity looks like.”

McKenna

It all starts with listening. McKenna engages with community officials to identify their challenges, then develops creative, thoughtful solutions to realize the unique vision of the project. Whether it’s a community-wide master plan or economic development strategy, their multidisciplinary team brings a hands-on approach, seamlessly working with municipal executives, or on their behalf. McKenna's people bring an array of expertise, with backgrounds ranging from municipal policy to design to commercial construction. They build proactive and lasting relationships with the public executives they serve as they help build communities for real life. McKenna's team is ready to take on any planning challenge! Our experience includes: Economic Development and Redevelopment, Master Plans, Sub-Area Plans, TIF Plans, Parks and Recreation Plans, Zoning Ordinance Updates/Re-Writes, Form-Based Code, Non-Motorized Transportation Planning, and Placemaking and Branding. Check out some examples of our work at: https://link.edgepilot.com/s/92bca4aa/j0LHSn67702QyPBcgJPoOw?u=http://www.mcka.com/.

OHM Advisors

OHM Advisors is the only community advancement firm⁠—designing award-winning work across the architecture, engineering, and planning spheres. We believe in the power of multidisciplinary teamwork to find ideas that aren't just different – they're better.

Pioneer Construction

Pioneer Construction builds exceptional facilities that perform for our clients, on time and on budget. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Pioneer provides commercial construction solutions throughout the continental United States. As a true builder, employing over two-hundred talented craft and trade professionals, we offer extensive self-performance abilities that enable us to provide unsurpassed budget, schedule, and quality control. With expertise in a variety of delivery methods, we customize our approach based on the specifics of each project and the goals of our clients. Our commitment to sustainable design and construction, technology, safety, inclusion, and community involvement set us apart in our industry.

RACER Trust

RACER Trust's mission is to clean up and position former GM locations for redevelopment and beneficial reuse. They are responsible for conducting safe, effective environmental cleanups at approximately 60 locations. RACER is one of the largest holders of industrial property in the United States, and when it was formed was the largest environmental response and remediation trust in U.S. history.

Turner Construction

Turner is a North America-based, international construction services company and is a leading builder in diverse market segments. The company has earned recognition for undertaking large and complex projects, fostering innovation, embracing emerging technologies, and making a difference for their clients, employees and community. With a staff of over 10,000 employees, the company completes $17 billion of construction on 1,500 projects each year. Turner was established in 1902, began working in Michigan in 1913 and set up a permanent office here in 1974. Since then, we have continued to help build the skyline across several key cities while becoming one of Michigan’s most established and trusted construction management firms. We offer the accessibility and support of a local firm with the stability and resources of a multinational organization.

West Erie Realty Solutions, Ltd.

Established in 2013, West Erie Realty Solutions, Ltd. (WE) is a stand-alone, turnkey real estate acquisition firm dedicated to providing the entire spectrum of acquisition services to its private and public partners.  WE is headquartered in Toledo, OH with its Michigan office located in Northville, MI and 3 others throughout Ohio.  WE offers three main services: Right of Way Acquisition for DOT and LPA infrastructure projects, land assemblage for industrial, commercial and residential projects, and wide array of economic development consulting services for municipalities and EDO’s. Whatever land or infrastructure challenges are facing your community, WE has a team of highly dedicated professionals with over 200 years of combined experience at your disposal.