While Michigan’s geographical landscape showcases breathtakingly diverse landforms here to stay, its man-made contributions continue to evolve.
To usher in a new era of development potential within Michigan’s communities, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) is stepping in with funding opportunities and expertise to support the state’s placemaking efforts. No one quite knows the needs of a town like its residents, which is why local leadership controls the reins while the MEDC assists communities through essential early steps, such as site assessments and pre-development funding.
“Community support and local planning are absolutely critical to the success of placemaking projects, and our local leaders are the experts on their towns,” says Michele Wildman, SVP of community planning and development readiness, MEDC. “By enabling projects identified by local communities, we help create neighborhoods where talent wants to live and work, businesses want to locate, and travelers want to visit and explore.”
How it Starts
The MEDC has developed a wide range of tools, from technical assistance to incentive programs that hit on several economic development opportunities. These services identify a starting point and the relevant next steps communities can take to address the unique needs of their residents.
The old Depot in downtown Ypsilanti has become a popular spot for dining and shopping
Photo courtesy of MEDC
An array of technical assistance toolkits is available to guide inspiration along the way. Suppose a community were to explore new housing developments. In that case, a partnership between the MEDC, the Michigan Municipal League, the City of Grand Rapids, and Driven Design, LLC, offers a series of permit-ready housing plans that allow for a streamlined project approval process.
Resources such as the resiliency toolkit provide local officials with strategies and ideas to recover from natural disasters. Meanwhile, the developer toolkit supplies technical assistance to real estate entrepreneurs, opening doors to mentorship, pre-development, development, and post-development tools.
A widespread approach to attracting new residents and businesses can be taken when applying to become one of Michigan’s Redevelopment Ready Communities (RRC). Developed by public and private sector experts, this toolkit helps communities plan, zone, and implement best practices as they seek to attract new development projects to the region.
The Michigan Main Street (MMS) program alternatively focuses on historic preservation of Michigan’s commercial districts and downtowns, working alongside communities as they navigate projects that cater to economic vitality, appealing design, organization, and effective promotion. MMS, which has supported new economic growth for over 20 years, is a key example of community-driven development and placemaking initiatives. Since its launch, the program has resulted in a total economic impact of over $445.6 million and the creation of more than 4,000 jobs across Michigan.
To continue promoting such exploration, the state established incentive programs that allocate targeted funding for innovative homegrown projects. These initiatives include the Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) program, Build MI Community Grant, Match on Main, the Michigan Community Revitalization Program (MCRP), Community Development Block Grant, Brownfield Programs, and Public Spaces Community Places (PSCP).
Popular programs like the RAP, MCRP, and PSCP provide creative freedom to reimagine aging facilities, introduce housing opportunities, give life to new public spaces, and enable residents to contribute to local development initiatives.
“Whether it’s a historic building, an old school, or a vacant shopping mall, projects of this nature require a lot of creativity and persistence to pull off,” says Wildman. “They also have some of the most remarkable and transformational results.”
Why it Works
Made available through the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF), the MCRP is an incentive program that provides funding for structural renovation and redevelopment of brownfield and historic preservation sites that no longer serve their former purpose. Depending on an area’s population, the program will cover between 25% and 50% of the project’s eligible investment, up to $10 million.
Selected MCRP projects showcase sustainable development and often cultivate vibrancy that attracts density to previously vacant parts of town. This results in creating pathways to become a walkable community, incorporating mixed-use developments, drawing in new private investment, and creating local jobs.
“We have seen Michiganders find homes in the newly created housing units that now fill the hallways of their former neighborhood school and in long-time vacant downtown buildings that are being reactivated into vibrant and catalytic investments,” says Wildman. “At the MEDC, our tools help enable these projects that would not be possible but for an investment from the state.”
In the case of downtown Kalamazoo, the MSF approved a more than $4.8 million MCRP performance-based loan toward PlazaCorp’s $32.7 million conversion of its former commercial facility. The developer plans to transform the building into a mixed-use site that will support restaurant space and 82 new residential units. Once complete, this project will be a key asset in driving residential density to the downtown district.
“Bringing 82 residential units to market in the heart of our downtown community at a time when residential projects are needed will positively impact the lives of many,” said Trisha Kidd, project management director at PlazaCorp, in 2024 when the project was announced. “We envision the redevelopment of this building as a catalyst for increased foot traffic, which will support the continued development of a walkable community enjoyed by downtown residents and businesses alike.”
“We envision the redevelopment of this building as a catalyst for increased foot traffic, which will support the continued development of a walkable community enjoyed by downtown residents and businesses alike.”
— Michele Wildman, SVP of community planning and development readiness, MEDC
MSF funding has additionally proved vital to the RAP program, in which communities use grant funding toward place-based infrastructure development, real estate rehabilitation and development, or public space improvements.
Four RAP-awarded projects are underway in downtown Flint, thanks in part to $10.25 million in funding approved by the MSF. In this case, the Flint and Genesee Chamber Foundation will use the sum to support the relocation of the Genesee County Community Action Resource Department building and Flint Children’s Museum, redevelopment of Flint’s historic Marian Hall into mixed-use housing and retail space, and building improvements to the Masonic Temple and the Greater Flint Arts Council site.
About two hours northwest in Grayling, five years of project planning have come to fruition with the aid of a $6.5 million RAP award for the construction of Sawmill Lofts. The mixed-use building will span 39,000 sq. ft., standing five stories high and featuring 40 new apartments and 4,076 sq. ft. of retail space downtown.
Whether it be a lush dog park, restoring a historic theater, establishing a year-round farmers market, riverfront restorations, or shaping a new chapter for a downtown alley, the PSCP program positions residents at the center of community-focused projects. The MEDC, the Michigan Municipal League, and crowdfunding platform Patronicity partnered on PSCP to engage residents in contributing to the success of these projects, therefore increasing civic engagement and awareness of exciting initiatives. PSCP then provides matching grants of up to $50,000 to set projects in motion. Projects that incentivize universal design and meet ADA parameters are eligible for up to an additional $25,000 in matching funds.
“There is great diversity in the types of projects supported under PSCP. From recreational facilities like sports courts and accessible baseball fields to public arts projects and community centers,” says Wildman. “The common theme is that residents of communities, both large and small, want public spaces to gather, enjoy cultural experiences, and make memories with their family, friends, and neighbors.”
The program was the first of its kind in the nation when it launched in 2014. To date, the MEDC has distributed over $13 million in matching grants, while more than $15 million in crowdfunding has been raised across 389 projects.
As communities around the state work to enhance quality of life for residents and businesses operating in their region, Michigan’s leadership looks to ensure there’s plenty of room to grow. An inventory of shovel-ready sites has been vital to promoting investment, placing the MEDC and MSF’s Strategic Site Readiness Program (SSRP) at the top of local leadership’s radar.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced $87.5 million in SSRP grants in January 2024, selecting 18 projects across Michigan. In May 2024, the Flint and Genesee Group Foundation received an additional $250 million, on top of the initial $9.2 million, to support land acquisition and infrastructure development activities at the Advanced Manufacturing District of Genesee County. The almost 1,000-acre site will aim to captivate investment from critical industries like EV, semiconductor, clean technology, and aerospace.
“Today’s action is incredibly important and represents a fundamental step toward creating an attractive site for a job-creating project that will change the trajectory of our community now and for generations to come,” said Tyler Rossmaessler, Flint and Genesee Economic Alliance executive director.
Right at Home
Businesses in Michigan are eager to get in on innovative development initiatives in their regions.
Ford Motor Company has called the state home for over 120 years, since its founding in Detroit in 1903. With boots still firmly planted on the ground in the city, the company committed $740 million toward the revitalization of Michigan Central Station.
The building had remained untouched for over 30 years and has now transformed into the Michigan Central Innovation District. The 30-acre technology and cultural center is now anticipated to create 5,000 jobs and generate $370 million in tax revenue over the next 35 years. The building will support more than 600 innovators, encompassing over 100 companies that will collaborate to advance a more sustainable and equitable future. The district supports a mobility hub, retail space, public parks, and 1.2 million sq. ft. of commercial space.
Google and Henry Ford Health are two companies looking to get in on the action. Both will partner with the district to focus on workforce. While Google plans to launch its Code Next program to enable Michigan high school students to learn how to code for free, Henry Ford Health looks to address issues such as healthcare accessibility, community health networks, and workforce development.
Throughout Michigan, community-focused projects like these are just tipping points for future prosperity and growth for residents and businesses alike.
