A company can be referred into the Diversification program in several ways:

• Have attended a state sanctioned summit, or
• Referred into the program by an MEDC Business Development Manager (BDM), or
• Referred by a local economic development partner agency or organization, or
• Referred by an Industry Expert

Once the company is referred, the following activities will occur:

• Company will receive via email a detailed survey to complete. The survey will remain open for two months, but companies are strongly encouraged to apply promptly due to limited funding.
• Companies that complete surveys will be reviewed by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation^SM (MEDC) and our industry experts. A company will not be deemed a viable candidate for funding for diversification by the industry experts until the survey is completed and it is confirmed that the company has had a visit by an MEDC BDM within the past one year. For a preparation guide to complete the survey, click here.
• A recommendation will be made by the MEDC and the industry experts regarding the grant funding.
• If recommended for grant funding, the company will meet with an Industry Expert to do an on-site assessment of the company to determine it’s capabilities, ability to diversify, etc.
• If the company is approved to participate following the company assessment, it will then be eligible for a matching-funds grant to be used for diversification training.
• Company will then review training offerings and negotiate a training agreement.