Discovering and applying new and innovative economic development tools, models, policies, and programs
Creating Jobs and Wealth in Distressed Michigan Communities
Jon Willow
Willow’s original fellowship aimed to analyze the potential of AI tools to address critical challenges in coalition building and organizational collaboration, with a specific use-case focus on the Michigan Highspeed Internet (MIHI) office’s MITTEN regions. With the elimination of non-deployment BEAD funding, her focus shifted to supporting the development of robust and flexible internal AI governance policies for local governments and community-based nonprofits.
Robert Carson, AICP & Zachary Vega, AICP
Initial research focused on analyzing the use of Michigan Act 425 Agreements as tools for infrastructure expansion and economic development across jurisdictional lines. However, through comprehensive outreach and interviews with local units of government possessing water or sewer infrastructure in the 10-county region of Northwest Lower Michigan, it has become clear that a broader scope was required. While intergovernmental agreements remain the most common approach to infrastructure coordination, the majority are not Act 425 Agreements as originally assumed. Instead, communities are primarily utilizing Franchise Agreements and Master Utility Agreements, with Annexation rarely - if ever - considered. These findings point to a broader, more complex landscape of collaborative infrastructure planning. This research will explore the range of agreement types in use, analyze patterns within opportunity zones, and highlight the implications for economic development without overemphasizing a single legal mechanism.
Laura Sigmon
The BuyFlint Initiative aims to strengthen Flint's local economy by connecting small businesses and microenterprises with procurement opportunities from larger corporations and public institutions. This initiative focuses on identifying and supporting local businesses through capacity-building programs, resource alignment, and a new BuyFlint directory. The project targets underserved populations and businesses, particularly those in Opportunity Zones, to foster economic resilience and local supply chain development.
The initiative includes mapping and categorizing businesses, offering workshops and mentorship for procurement readiness, creating an interactive business directory, and engaging corporations to source goods locally. It aims to increase local procurement by 12% within the first year and improve the readiness of at least 50 businesses to meet procurement demands. The results will be shared through reports, presentations, and digital platforms, with the goal of creating a replicable model for strengthening local economies in similar distressed communities.
Dr. Phillip Olla
This project aims to provide residents of Zone 8 in Detroit with AI literacy and skills to improve their job prospects and economic stability. In partnership with the University of Detroit Mercy and Mama Akua Community House (MACH), the initiative seeks to deliver practical, neighborhood-based training on AI tools and applications, focusing on areas like sales, marketing, and content creation.
The goal is to help residents, including small business owners and workers, use AI to streamline tasks and improve efficiency, making them more competitive in today’s workforce. The project will engage participants through micro-learning modules and workshops with training developed in collaboration with local residents to ensure it meets their needs. The program also includes plans to create an “AI Upskilling Toolkit” to support scalability and share best practices with other communities. The ultimate goal is to build a more resilient and inclusive workforce while supporting Detroit’s economic development priorities.
National Coalition of Community Capital
As part of the 2025 project year, the Regional Economic Innovation (REI) initiative is supporting the National Coalition for Community Capital (NC3) in hosting Changing the Paradigm: Mobilizing Community Investment Funds, a transformative in-person event scheduled for March 7, 2025, in East Lansing, Michigan.
Changing the Paradigm: Mobilizing Community Investment Funds will delve into the critical and evolving role of community investment funds, offering attendees the chance to learn from leaders at the forefront of the community capital movement. Participants can expect expert-led, interactive discussions, and invaluable networking opportunities designed to equip attendees with the necessary resources and connections to support their own community's investment fund.
Tom Smith
This project aims to address agricultural labor shortages and infrastructure challenges in Michigan by proposing the development of agricultural innovation centers. These centers would coordinate existing resources, such as private sector expertise, university research, and career and technical education, to provide training and support for a well-prepared domestic workforce. The project involves researching models of agricultural innovation centers from other regions, identifying relevant Michigan stakeholders, and drafting a tailored organizational structure for the state. Stakeholder feedback will refine the plan, which will be shared through networks established during the project. Ultimately, the project will identify the various existing stakeholders needed for agriculture innovation centers and develop and design the organizational structure and coordination to develop these centers.
Eli Flikkema, Cassidy Roberts, Quinton Blanks, Melanie Montalvo, Kaisen Mo
City officials raised concerns about underutilization of available parking spaces, threats to physical property and pedestrian safety from parking lot misuse, and the fear that unused, unoccupied parking spaces were taking up valuable land that could instead serve the community through more efficient, desirable, and productive land uses. The data gathered by Michigan State University’s Spring 2025 practicum team validated many of the points raised by the City of Beaverton. The team gathered and analyzed parking-related case studies from similarly sized communities, surveyed the business owners and operators of the Central Business District, and reviewed Beaverton’s existing parking ordinances. Based on those considerations, the team presents a variety of recommendations within this report. Most importantly, the recommendations incorporate community feedback from business owners, a group identified as a crucial stakeholder within the city’s downtown area. Overhauling how the city manages its public parking will reduce stress on city officials, increase accessibility for pedestrians, protect physical infrastructure, and mitigate the effects of underutilized space in a valuable area, ultimately building a better, brighter Beaverton.
Nicolas Ceme-PreFontaine, Allyson Smolarek, Robert Foster, Alexander Hill, Charles Matthews, Evan Willey
The Van Dyke Corridor (14 Mile to 18 Mile Roads) in Sterling Heights, Michigan, is a vital commercial and residential artery in one of Metro Detroit's largest suburban communities. As the city continues to grow and evolve, the corridor faces mounting challenges stemming from decades of auto-centric planning. Expansive surface parking lots, disjointed pedestrian networks, limited bicycle and public transit infrastructure, and outdated zoning regulations have all contributed to an environment that discourages non-motorized transportation, limits development potential, and reduces quality of life for residents and visitors alike. Recognizing the strategic importance of the Van Dyke Corridor, the City of Sterling Heights has identified it as a priority for redevelopment. This transformation plan provides a data-driven, community-informed roadmap for converting the corridor into a vibrant, accessible, and economically resilient mixed-use destination. By integrating multimodal transportation planning, zoning reform, economic development strategies, and inclusive design, Sterling Heights can establish itself as a forward-thinking city committed to sustainability, equity, and placemaking. Through thoughtful implementation of this plan, the Van Dyke Corridor can become a model for suburban revitalization, connecting people to places and catalyzing growth for decades to come.
Shae Burnham, Tess Chargo, Trinitti Hadley, Cole Maxon, Luis Palero, Jacob Smalec
Sign Ordinance Compliance, Zoning, and Research is a student-led project responsible for examining and enhancing the sign regulations within the Zoning Ordinances of Delhi Charter Township and Watertown Charter Township. This project was completed in two primary sections: research phase and recommendations. Research included field observations along with an in-depth review of relevant court cases and legal precedents to identify legal vulnerabilities. Legal frameworks, particularly those dealing with the First Amendment and Michigan decisions, were reviewed to assess compliance. All research done contributes to the following components of best practices: clear purpose alignment, content-neutral definitions, clear severability & substitution clauses, clear standards for measuring sign dimensions, clear prohibited and exempt signs, broad content-neutral categories organized within zoning districts, and special concerns around digital signs and recent case laws. The research report provided both Delhi Charter Township and Watertown Charter Township with tools to improve their signage section within their Zoning Ordinance. By grounding recommendations in physical attributes, both townships are equipped to better manage signage to promote safety, aesthetics, and address local concern.
Zach Gillespie, Chloe Halverson, Jalen Hardimon, Kelsey Herdus, Myron Ocansey
The Lansing Riverfront Activation Project is an implementation-focused plan developed by the MSU Urban and Regional Planning Practicum Team in partnership with the Lansing Economic Development Corporation (EDC). The goal of this report is to outline strategies to transform Lansing’s riverfront into a more vibrant, accessible, and economically productive space, with a focus on implementing immediate, actionable interventions. By prioritizing practical, high-impact strategies grounded in data and research, this plan aims to build momentum for sustained longterm redevelopment. The recommendations provided in this report focus on three key sites – Dietrich Park, Adado Riverfront Park, and the proposed pedestrian walkway site – chosen for their potential to catalyze broader riverfront revitalization. The key findings of this study are the result of thorough analysis of past planning initiatives, zoning and land use conditions, Lansing’s socioeconomic characteristics, a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis, and a case study analysis. The team also conducted multiple site visits and community engagement efforts to gauge how residents interact with the riverfront. This report highlights the results of community interviews, survey, and meetings with key stakeholders, including the REO Town community visioning session, the Capital Region Community Foundation, and the Gillespie Group. The findings from this comprehensive research informed the recommendations made in this report.
Reilly Allen, Hrilekha Bogapati, Josh Brink, Isaac Harter, Savannah Khan, Anish Khare
To support the Warren CED’s mission to foster economic growth, the practicum team developed an implementation plan for strategic investment along the Van Dyke Corridor. This corridor falls within Warren’s Van Dyke Tax Increment Finance Authority (TIFA) District, which spans from 8 Mile Road at the Detroit-Warren border to Stephens Road at the Warren-Center Line border. The plan identifies the key investment opportunities, zoning recommendations, and targeted urban improvements to enhance economic development in the area. Through an analysis of existing plans and socioeconomic conditions within the corridor, the team developed strategic recommendations that align with Warren’s broader development goals. The final deliverables from the practicum team include a comprehensive implementation plan, updated zoning ordinance recommendations, a summary poster, and a presentation for their clients and community stakeholders.
Dr. Dirk Colbry
This SLFG project supports a collaboration between a team of 4-5 students in the Michigan State University undergraduate Data Science Capstone Course and JustAir, a Michigan-based startup focused on air quality analysis in Michigan.
This investment and work in community will help JustAir develop tools to better monitor air quality in Michigan. The project will focus on Wayne County and will involve outreach to local stakeholders.
Capstone students will work with air quality data (e.g., PM2.5, PM10, ozone, NO₂), meteorological data, and external sources such as traffic and wind patterns to build analytical frameworks and visualization tools; in addition to another student from the MSU UX (User Experience) program to address user interface or user experience design—a critical component for ensuring that the tools developed are accessible and impactful for community stakeholders. The project will also include designing user interfaces in Figma (UX Software) for JustAir’s client-facing platform.
Dr. Phillip Olla
Building on the REI-funded initiative Future-Proofing Detroit: Bringing AI Upskilling to the Neighborhoods, this student-led, faculty-guided Train-the-Trainer (T3) project will expand AI literacy efforts in partnership with the Mama Akua Community House in Detroit’s Zone 8 neighborhood. The project will prepare a cohort of up to 10 grassroots trainers, including students, residents, and local agency staff, to independently deliver AI micro-workshops within their communities. Using the “Learn it, See it, Do it” (LSD) model, participants will receive hands-on instruction, guided practice, and real-time feedback. This scalable, community-embedded approach promotes digital equity, workforce readiness, and entrepreneurial innovation among Detroit’s ALICE populations, supporting long-term economic adaptation through sustainable, localized delivery.
Michigan Inventors Coalition
The Michigan Inventors Coalition (MIC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping inventors bring their ideas to life and guiding them through the innovation process. MIC seeks to provide inventors and entrepreneurs with the tools, connections, and knowledge they need to succeed. Through monthly local groups, expert speaker sessions, one-on-one guidance, and collaborations with organizations like Michigan State University’s Regional Economic Innovation (REI) Center, MIC offers support to Michigan’s start up innovators.
REI continues to support the annual Michigan Inventors Expo, now in its 14th year. Scheduled for August 14, 2025, this event will bring together inventors, startups, small businesses, patent attorney, economic development professionals, and more.
Attendees gain access to expert panels and speakers: Top-ranked speakers share insights and guidance on critical topics for inventors and entrepreneurs; networking opportunities: Attendees connect with like-minded individuals, potential collaborators, and industry professionals who can help take their ideas to the next level; exhibitor space: Inventors showcase their products, ideas, or businesses while meeting individuals and organizations who can provide support; spin pitch & sell competition: A friendly competition where inventors hone their pitch skills, gain exposure, and compete for prizes.