Celebrating the People, Projects, and Partnerships Powering Michigan's Progress
MEDA is rolling out an exciting new campaign, starting during the 2026 Economic Development Week (May 4 - 8), that shines a spotlight on the incredible impact of Michigan’s economic developers. This is Economic Development – Michigan Style will bring MEDA’s Advocate. Discover. Collaborate. tagline to life by celebrating the people, projects, and partnerships powering Michigan’s progress.
Building on the popularity of MEDA’s “Why Economic Development” resource page - one of our most-visited features month after month - we’re taking the next big step: creating stories and visuals that make economic development easier to understand, easier to share, and impossible to ignore.
Introducing: This is Economic Development Week - Michigan Style
Launching during Economic Development Week and running through the summer, this campaign will culminate in an inspiring video presentation unveiled at Michigan’s Premier Economic Summit and Annual Meeting in Detroit.
Here's What's in Store
- Authentic voices doing real work: statements, Q&As, interviews, and insights from Michigan’s economic development professionals explaining what they do and why it matters.
- Local stories with statewide impact: photos and highlights of projects big and small - from rural revitalization to major business expansions.
- A showcase moment: a final video that members can proudly share to demonstrate the true value of economic development and the professionals who make it happen.
Why Economic Development Week?
Economic Development Week was created by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) in 2016 to spotlight the people, programs, and partnerships strengthening communities everywhere. Each year, #EconDevWeek garners huge national visibility, celebrates best practices, and generates millions of social media impressions. It’s the perfect moment to amplify Michigan’s story - boldly, creatively, and collaboratively. Thank you to IEDC for sparking the inspiration behind this project.
How You Can Take Part in "This is Economic Development - Michigan Style"
We want YOU involved. Here's how to jump in.
Record a 30-second video with the campaign logo describing your EDO’s specialty areas or how you define economic development in your community.
Send photos and short write-ups (200 words or fewer) of projects or initiatives - highlight partners, locations, expansions, reuses, and more.
Doing something special for Economic Development Week? Let Cassandra cjorae@medaweb.org know so we can help amplify it.
Tag your posts throughout the campaign:
#ThisisEconomicDevelopment #MichiganStyle (May - August)
Add #EconDevWeek (May 4 - 8)
We do our best to connect and follow each members' pages, please let Cassandra cjorae@medaweb.org know if we are not following you.
Questions? Want to bounce an idea off us first?
Contact Cassandra at cjorae@medaweb.org.