MSU EDA University Center for

Regional Economic Innovation

E-Update | February 2025

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) has awarded funding to REI to support additional Student-Led, Faculty-Guided (SLFG) projects, further strengthening Michigan’s commitment to community economic development. These projects provide technical assistance to communities across the state while offering students valuable hands-on experience in applying economic development theories to real-world challenges. 

Through this additional support, the 2025 Student Led Faculty Guided (SLFG) projects include six projects focused on land use and parking optimization, enhancing public spaces and identifying private development opportunities, targeting key economic opportunities and community improvements, sign ordinance updates, and development attraction. 

Student-Led, Faculty-Guided Projects remain an ongoing funding opportunity. If you are interested in pursuing a Student-Led, Faculty-Guided Project, we encourage you to submit your application soon. To learn more on how to submit an application, please visit: https://reicenter.org/projects/24-25-project-applications.

When you have questions or if you would like to stay connected, please reach out to jondyjen@msu.edu. Thank you for your commitment to strengthening Michigan’s economy through collaboration and innovation. Together, we continue to build a brighter future for communities across the state.

This event, held at the Kellogg Conference Center in East Lansing, is for community builders: community development organizations, economic development organizations, entrepreneurial support organizations, units of government, developers, business organizations and anyone passionate about community — join NC3 for an interactive day to launch your work with community capital. Introductory breakout sessions will welcome and ground anyone new to community capital and Community Investment Funds alongside in-depth sessions to engage those experienced in this work. Before lunch, a panel of NC3’s Community Investment Fund Accelerator Program pilot cohort will present their progress. Through the afternoon, small groups will engage with seasoned community capital practitioners to ensure you have next steps and contacts to support you changing the paradigm in your community. Register TODAY! Click below to learn more or register for the event.