In Governor Snyder’s special message of March 2011, he emphasized the importance of communities working together to promote the advantages of their regions. He asked the MEDC to develop strategies to engage in regional collaboration among economic and community development organizations. The MEDC transformed their long-standing CEO council, comprised of economic development practitioners from around the state, into a robust committee which meets monthly to discuss policy, strategic direction, programmatic input, and regionalization with MEDC’s leadership staff.
The Collaborative Development Council (CDC) has 18 members, each representing the 10 regions throughout the state, as well as the Michigan Economic Developers Association. These 10 regions were developed and defined by local partners in an effort to align state service providers. The goal of this alignment is to streamline services from statewide agencies, reduce duplication of outreach to communities and businesses, and better coordinate information and resource sharing among economic development professionals. MEDC Staff Support: Peter Anastor, Amy Cell, Katharine Czarnecki, Martin Dober, Elliot Forsyth, Mark Kinsler, Penny Launstein, Jacqui Mieksztyn, Mark Morante, Jennifer Nelson, Elizabeth Parkinson, Mike Pohnl, Doug Smith, Kelly Wolgamott Working Groups - Four groups have been assigned to work on projects such as budget and incentive process improvement, marketing for international and national attraction, and other pertinent and timely topics that impact economic development statewide. | 
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CDC Contact Info
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WORKING GROUPS:
FRAMEWORK FOR REGIONAL COOPERATION
MEDC Staff Support: Katharine Czarnecki, Penny Launstein, Mike Pohnl
CDC Members: John Avery, MEDA; Matt McCauley, NWMCOG; Diane Rekowski, NEMCOG; Don Schurr, Greater Gratiot Development
This group will focus on the role of CDC leads and benchmarks for success in regions. Activities will include building a framework for how communication and cooperation are handled, as well as providing assistance to communities and entities in the region that are plugged into the ED landscape. In addition, this group will be asked for feedback on concerns from partners in regions and develop best practices going forward.
ATTRACTION AND MARKETING
MEDC Staff Support: Mark Kinsler, Kelly Wolgamott
CDC Members: Karl Dehn, Battle Creek Unlimited; Birgit Klohs, The Right Place; Maureen Krauss, Detroit Chamber; Irene Spanos, Oakland County; Randy Thelen, Lakeshore Advantage
This group will work to develop marketing materials as well as provide feedback on MEDC's National and International attraction goals for 2012 and beyond. Discussion topics will include how to improve foreign direct investment in Michigan, targeted areas and focus for national/international attraction, and trade show event planning.
BUDGET AND FUNDING
MEDC Staff Support: Peter Anastor, Martin Dober
CDC Members: Steve Cassin, Macomb County; JoAnn Crary, Saginaw Future; George Jackson, DEGC; Ron Kitchens, SW Michigan First; Bob Trezise, LEAP
This group will provide input on MEDC budget framework for 2013 and beyond. In addition, input will include business acceleration activities, RFP's, and 21st Century Jobs Fund focus. Discussion will include what gaps in programming exist from the state to the local level, and what programs exist (in MEDC or outside of Michigan) that can be used as models to respond to company needs. *Task one: how to deal with Property Devaluation and State Tax Commission.
WORKFORCE AND TALENT
MEDC Staff Support: Amy Cell, Jacqui Mieksztyn
CDC Members: Ray Byers, Wayne County; Amy Clickner, Lake Superior Comm Partnership; Janice Karcher, Genesee Regional Chamber; Paul Krutko, Ann Arbor SPARK
The group will provide input on future and existing talent enhancement and workforce support programs including bi-annual talent summits, Global Michigan and the Michigan Talent Bank/Job Portal. In addition, discussion will include recommendations to increase the working relationship between local ED organizations and the Michigan Works! Agencies, and provide feedback on workforce/labor data to be provided on an annual basis to each CDC region.
INITIATIVES:
SALESFORCE SUPPORT:
To support collaboration between local and regional economic development agencies, the MEDC is creating a statewide data sharing network based upon Salesforce.com. The new MEDC Salesforce system will connect with existing regional Salesforce systems and work together to develop a standard Salesforce configuration that can be used by many local and regional agencies. MEDC has committed to reimbursement of licenses and funding the implementation of systems across the 10 statewide regions.
STAFF DEPLOYMENT:
The MEDC has championed the realignment effort, by reorganizating our Business Development, Community Assistance and Regional Project Management teams by region. In addition, MEDC has worked closely with cooperative agencies in their realignment to 10 regions, including the Small Business Technology and Development Center (SBTDC), Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (MMTC), the Michigan Department of Transportation and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). MEDC’s Business Development Managers, the team which focuses on business retention and growth, have been assigned and are now “hoteled” in regional economic development organizations throughout the state, working alongside our CDC members and their staff.
EXPORT:
MEDC has also launched a newly formed export team, with support from a federal grant, to focus on assisting companies with their exporting needs and education. Partnering with organizations such as Van Andel’s Global Trade Center in Grand Rapids and Automation Alley in Troy, the staff is working to provide monetary assistance to those companies with the capacity to engage in exporting internationally. This team is deployed to four organizations throughout the state, working with our regional counterparts to bring this program to businesses all over Michigan.
EVENTS:
- Purpose: A partnership between local development agencies, MEDC business development units and marketing and communications for the purpose of utilizing event platforms for successful business development, talent and entrepreneurial outreach and customer conversions.
 | Events List (as of January 13, 2012) |
Documents of Interest:
MEETING MATERIALS
Information and documents from the April 17, 2012 meeting:
Information and documents from the March 28, 2012 meeting:
Information and documents from the February 15, 2012 meeting:
Information and documents from the January 18, 2012 meeting:
Information and documents from the December 21, 2011 meeting:
Information and documents from the November 30, 2011 meeting:
Information and documents from the October 26, 2011 meeting:
Information and documents from the August 24, 2011 meeting:
Information and documents from the July 11, 2011 meeting:
Information and documents from the June 6, 2011 meeting:
