What's Being Planned for the Spring Conference
7:45 a.m. Registration Opens & Breakfast
8:30 a.m. Welcome
8:45 a.m. Discussion on Economic Development Issues by the Nonpartisan Senate Fiscal Agency
For over 60 years, the Senate Fiscal Agency (SFA) has provided sound and unbiased assistance to the Senate and the residents of Michigan. Among their many responsibilities, they offer articles and presentations on Michigan's State and local taxes and economic issues, provide monthly economic indicators, and release economic and revenue forecasts for the next two fiscal years. Delve deeper into their role during the budget process, get an overview of the current landscape of tax and revenue data/issues as well as the Governor’s Budget Recommendations. If available at the time, they will present the Senate Subcommittee Recommendations.
Moderator: Nick Posavetz, Vice President, Plante Moran Realpoint
Panelists: Cory Savino, Senior Analyst, Senate Fiscal Agency
Kathryn Summers, Director, Senate Fiscal Agency
David Zin, Chief Economist, Senate Fiscal Agency
9:45 a.m. Networking Break
10:00 a.m. Regional Child Care Coalitions: A Cross-Sector Solution to Accelerate Economic Growth + Meet Family Needs
This session will provide an overview of the Regional Child Care Coalition initiative which is a partnership between MiLEAP, the Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC), and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Participants will learn about MiLEAP and ECIC and why they are leading this five-year investment opportunity to strengthen and grow local childcare systems with economic development organizations, local governments, childcare business owners, employers, parents, business leaders, and community leaders in the early childhood space. Presenters will share key findings, recommendations, and innovation opportunities identified during the planning period of this initiative, and share more about the 10 Regional Child Care Coalition Lead and Co-Lead organizations and the childcare supply-building work they will be facilitating across Michigan.
Joan Blough, Senior Director, Child Care Innovation Fund
Lisa Brewer Walraven, Director, Child Development and Care, Office of Early Childhood Education, Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential
11:00 a.m. Networking Break
11:15 a.m. Communication with Michigan’s Executive Branch
Day in and day out, Michigan’s top leaders are going from meeting to meeting, fielding hundreds of emails, engaging on social media, and being asked to promptly address a variety of concerns. With all of the aspects that they have to balance, how does an economic developer concisely and efficiently communicate their needs for a positive response?
Rick Snyder, CEO, SensCy, Former Governor of Michigan
12:15 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m. Site Readiness: Leveraging Technical Development Expertise to Gain an Advantage in Schedule and Funding
Site readiness is critical in attracting and retaining businesses in any region. By ensuring that sites are prepared for development, communities can significantly enhance their appeal to potential investors and companies looking to expand or relocate. Time is of the essence in site readiness, as delays can lead to missed opportunities and competitive disadvantages. The most significant impact on the timing of a development opportunity is technical expertise in managing utilities availably and permitting.
Art Eckert, Principal, Plante Moran Realpoint
Kurt Brauer, Partner, Warner Norcross + Judd LLP
Kristin Mixon, Vice President, Plante Moran Realpoint
2:00 p.m. Networking Break
2:15 p.m. MSHDA Employer-Assisted Housing Fund
The Employer-Assisted Housing Fund is a bold, state-funded initiative designed to help employers invest in housing solutions for income-eligible households. By bringing together employers, local governments, housing professionals, and MSHDA, the Fund tackles one of Michigan’s most pressing economic challenges, ensuring workers have access to affordable homes near their jobs. Get program details and learn how economic developers can support this fund in their communities.
Chad Benson, Director of Development, Rental Development Division, Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA)
3:15 p.m. Adjourn
5:00 p.m. Gates open for Lugnuts game.
6:00 p.m. Lugnuts game/Legislative Reception
Attend the Spring Conference
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