MSU Center for Community and Economic Development

05/28/2026

Farm to Family (MDARD) is an innovative, first-of-its-kind program within the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development that strengthens agri-food systems across the two peninsulas. Launched in Fiscal Year 2025, the program offers grants, networking opportunities, and marketing consultations to farmers, food businesses, and other local food supply chain stakeholders.

MSU University Outreach and Engagement
To learn more about this program: https://www.michigan.gov/mdard/food-dairy/industry-resources/farm-to-family

Learn about MDARD's four bureaus, including contact information, by clicking the above link, or view specific information below.

05/26/2026

As the MSU CCED Regional Economic Innovation (REI) program evolves, we are seeking input to help shape our transformation and identify key areas of focus for 2027. We invite you to share ideas for community economic development projects that support distressed communities and regions across Michigan. Submissions may be broad or specific and can be provided anonymously if preferred.

Your input will directly inform REI’s 2027 priorities and potential future call for proposals, with an emphasis on projects that have the potential to create or retain jobs, strengthen local economies, and support community resilience. You are welcome to submit multiple ideas. Thank you for contributing your insights as we shape the next phase of this work.
Submit ideas here: https://msu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_7QU9SN24sqMaM9U

MSU University Outreach and Engagement

05/25/2026

Register for the Innovate Michigan! Summit to hear about equitable, community-driven economic development, Co-Learning Plan author, Angeline Lawrence. Angeline’s CLP centers on building economic resilience in ALICE (Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed) communities that creates lasting benefits for residents.
As a practitioner in urban planning, entrepreneurial education, community wealth building, and cooperative economic development, Angeline examines how community land trusts, cooperatives, and place-based investment systems can stabilize small businesses, retain jobs, and strengthen long-term economic resilience in distressed communities. Community leaders, practitioners, and attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about this work at the Summit on Thursday, July 9th, 2026 from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center.
MSU University Outreach and Engagement
Learn more about the project: https://reicenter.org/projects/2026-projects/co-learning-plans/ecosystem-based-economic-development-for-shared-ownership-and-community-centered

Register today: https://events.engage.msu.edu/Registrations/Register/3599

05/23/2026

🚨 Mark your calendars! 🚨 The Innovate Michigan! Summit 2026 is coming up on July 9th at MSU’s Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center in East Lansing! Hosted by MSU’s Center for Community and Economic Development, the Summit is a day-long event focused on innovative economic development in Michigan's distressed regions. It’s where academics, EDOs, planners, economic developers, entrepreneurs, students, and community leaders come together to share ideas, explore emerging issues, and reimagine the future of Michigan’s communities. Join us from 8 AM to 5 PM for a powerful panel, 2026 project presentations, and collaborative discussions shaping the future of our state.

Register today: https://events.engage.msu.edu/innovate26

MSU University Outreach and Engagement
Michigan State University
Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center

05/21/2026

At this year's Innovate Michigan! Summit, a multidisciplinary MSU team consisting of Dr. Chunqi Qian, Dr. Fei Sun, and Caleb Benninger, will come together to present their Co-Learning Plan project addressing rural connectivity challenges.
Their collaborative project evaluates whether community anchor-based Low-Power-Wide-Area-Network (LPWAN) systems can support reliable rural healthcare communication in Michigan communities. The project aims to establish a foundation to improve delivery of direct care services, while creating opportunities for new and expanded employment in healthcare delivery, technical support, and community-based service coordination in rural communities. Learn more about this work as the team presents at the annual Summit on Thursday, July 9th, 2026, at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center.
MSU University Outreach and Engagement

Register here: https://events.engage.msu.edu/Registrations/Register/3599

https://reicenter.org/projects/2026-projects/co-learning-plans/evaluating-community-ai-assisted-anchor-based-connectivity-models-for-heath-care

05/20/2026

Join MEDA on May 21 for Part 2 of its webinar series on Brownfield Redevelopment in Michigan, focused on Brownfield Plans, Act 381 Work Plans, and long-term compliance.
The session will cover Brownfield Plan development, state-level review processes, documentation of eligible activities, reimbursement and compliance considerations, and practical guidance for implementing brownfield redevelopment projects under Public Act 381.
MSU University Outreach and Engagement



Register here:

Series Overview Brownfield redevelopment remains one of Michigan’s most powerful economic development tools, but understanding how to strategically structure, implement, and manage these projects can be complex. This two-part webinar series is designed specifically for economic developmen...

05/19/2026

Registration closes May 20 for the 2026 Michigan Environmental Compliance Conference (MECC), taking place June 9–10 at the Lansing Center. Hosted by EGLE, Michigan’s largest environmental compliance conference will feature 70+ technical sessions, networking opportunities, one-on-one assistance from EGLE staff, exhibitors, and continuing education credits for environmental professionals, businesses, municipalities, and consultants.
MSU University Outreach and Engagement
Register: https://egle.idloom.events/2026MECC

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy will host the 2024 MECC at the Lansing Center in Lansing, Michigan. The 2024 MECC will inco...

05/18/2026

AI is rapidly changing the small business landscape.

Join the Federal Reserve’s May 19 virtual event, “Small Business and AI,” to explore how businesses are adopting AI, emerging industry trends, and the support systems helping small businesses navigate these changes.
MSU University Outreach and Engagement
Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco

Register here: https://www.frbsfevents.org/event/EERN2026May19/register?i=c6pTpCB8XEKtQnbKix9KAw&locale=en-US

05/17/2026

Registration is still open for the 2026 Innovate Michigan! Summit, happening July 9th, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center in East Lansing. Now in its 15th year, the Summit brings together leaders and changemakers from across the state to showcase innovative economic tools, models, and policies driving economic development in Michigan. Don’t miss your chance to connect, learn, and lead.

Register now: https://events.engage.msu.edu/innovate26

MSU University Outreach and Engagement
Michigan State University

05/15/2026

The Spring 2026 edition of the Community and Economic Development Newsletter is now available!

This issue highlights new partnerships, innovation initiatives, community research, and reflections from across Michigan and beyond. It also celebrates the lasting impact and leadership of Dr. Rex LaMore and Robert Brown as they retire from Michigan State University.

Inside this issue:
• Community Partnership & Innovation Fund
• Reflections from Compact26
• REI’s 2026 Distinguished Partnership Award
• Introducing CCED’s new podcast, Transforming Tomorrow Together…Today
• Circular economy research and community innovation
• Viewpoints on democracy, policy, and collaboration
• Student and community reflections, projects, and more

Read the full Spring 2026 newsletter here: https://ced.msu.edu/media/e-newsletters/cnv-vol-39-no-1-spring-2026