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.
