MEDA 2025: Michigan Economic Development Summit Highlights
- Nicole Muise-Kielkucki
- Sep 18
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 23
Fourth Economy was at this year’s Michigan Economic Developers Association Economic Summit and Annual Meeting in Holland, MI, as a sponsor and attendee. Hot topics included:
The critical need for infrastructure, housing, and other workforce supports to unlock development
The impacts of tariffs and federal policy on industry
The urgency of setting a strong, locally driven vision for smart economic growth in communities across Michigan
The focus was familiar as we have done some impactful work in Michigan in outdoor recreation, economic development, and related initiatives.
Highlights included stories of Michigan communities leveraging public investments and infrastructure development to drive private economic activity, along with the need to show local legislators and decision makers how these efforts directly and indirectly benefit local communities.
The summit was energizing for anyone working to bring investments in to build things that benefit communities.
Local Strategies and Success Stories
Holland’s Strategic Investments
“Robust and readily available clean and renewable energy makes us well positioned for economic abundance,” remarked Nathan Bocks, the mayor of Holland, Michigan, as he highlighted the city's approach to economic development, emphasizing public investment in infrastructure as a driver for private growth.
Over the years, the City has made significant investments to boost economic activity, from broadband, to housing, and renewable energy. According to Bocks, the city has approved 1,200 new housing units in the past five years, impressive in a town of only 35,000 people that is nonetheless growing. And Bocks touted Holland’s thermal “snow melt” system, which captures energy from power production to enable heated sidewalks downtown in the winter, with helping to facilitate year-round economic activity, all while lowering electric rates for businesses and residents.
Most importantly, Bocks explained that all of these efforts are directly supported by the City of Holland’s previous planning efforts, including a master plan, capital improvement plan, and annual business plans. This underscores the importance of a realistic and well-supported implementation roadmap for community leaders.
Lansing’s Childcare Initiative:
Meanwhile, Bob Trezise, President and CEO of the Lansing Economic Area Partnership, emphasized the importance of using economic development to create public benefit. Faced with a shortage of workforce supports like childcare needed to enable economic growth, in 2023 LEAP used a planning grant from the Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC) to form a regional child care coalition.
This initiative enabled them to research and create an action plan to improve childcare access in three surrounding counties.
Tresize emphasized the need to communicate the direct benefits of these investments in the Lansing region to local policymakers who may view public support for economic development as a drain on resources. He stressed that transparently sharing the positive impacts of smart economic development and growth is key to ensuring long term, sustainable prosperity in Michigan and throughout the United States.
Challenges and Opportunities in Michigan
Other discussions at the conference focused on the challenges facing Michigan's economic development efforts. A recurring theme was the need to dispel myths surrounding economic development and address local resistance to economic development incentives. As the accounts above showcase, promoting success stories and highlighting positive impacts is key to building public support.
Panelists also discussed how current federal trade policy, particularly tariffs, has negatively impacted U.S. manufacturing and increased costs for consumers. To compete globally, especially in sectors like EV production and semiconductors, speakers noted the need for collaboration between the U.S. and Canada on infrastructure and mineral resources.
Finally, attracting and retaining talent and growing a skilled workforce remains a critical effort across the state. Panelists highlighted trends such as immigration, an aging population, and more out-migration from the state, as conditions that strain the workforce system and negatively impact employers looking to grow in Michigan. In response, the state is focusing on growing early-stage entrepreneurship and attracting talent, through efforts like its "You Can in MI" campaign.
Despite these challenges, panelists identified significant opportunities:
Outdoor Recreation and Quality of Life
A panel of West Michigan practitioners (Warner Norcross + Judd LLP, Market One, Lakeshore Advantage, and The Right Place, Inc.) featured insights about why businesses and talent choose the region, and the state overall. Key factors attracting businesses to Michigan include promoting the outdoor lifestyle and access to lakes and mountain biking, as well as plentiful water and a road network that makes it easy to get around. Rural revitalization through cultivating outdoor recreation economies can be an impactful strategy, driven in recent years by the Michigan Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry. MEDC is also helping to spread the word, hosting webinars for local governments to understand and take advantage of programs like Redevelopment Ready Communities (RRC).
Infrastructure and Utilities
That same panel also touched on Michigan’s competitive advantage in attracting data centers due to its abundant power, land, and water, which could be a boon to communities across the state. The reopening of the Palisades nuclear plant is also expected to add to the state's power generation capacity. Panelists from Detroit Regional Partnership, Walbridge, Consumer Energy, and ITC Michigan touted the state's utilities economic development rates that help to encourage growth. However, a lack of food processing infrastructure in rural areas is a huge issue, as is housing to support the local workforce, seniors aging in place, and new talent moving to the market.
Semiconductors
Leveraging its historic manufacturing strength, Michigan is becoming a hub for advanced manufacturing, including semiconductors. The state has a strong supply chain, with nearly a dozen top semiconductor firms covering everything from R&D to assembly and packaging. There's significant opportunity for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT) and the supply of materials and components. Michigan is also among the top states for its semiconductor workforce, and is continuing to grow its capacity in this sector.
At Fourth Economy we are energized by the successes playing out in Michigan and other states where we work, and look forward to continuing partnering with communities that are looking ahead and planning strategically for their economic future. If your community is ready to take the next step, connect with us to start shaping a stronger, more resilient economy.
