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Michigan State University’s Center for Community and Economic Development (CCED), through its Regional Economic Innovation (REI) program, has selected Chelsea Jensen, Business Operations Manager at Llink Technologies, as the 2026 REI Innovation Fellow. In this role, Jensen will lead a Feasibility Study and Roadmap Development for an Industry-Led Circular Economy Council in Michigan, an initiative designed to support the state’s industrial sector as it advances more circular, resilient, and economically competitive production systems.
The project will examine the feasibility, structure, and long-term sustainability of a statewide council designed to be driven by industry and informed by academic research. The goal is to create a practical, implementation-ready roadmap that supports Michigan industry partners in adopting circular strategies that reduce waste, improve resource efficiency, and retain value across product lifecycles.
Through the feasibility study, the project will assess industry readiness, governance and engagement models, and operational needs. The resulting roadmap will outline actionable steps for council formation, early operations, and future growth, while identifying opportunities for applied research and workforce alignment.
Key areas of focus include identifying priority industries and material streams where circular approaches can deliver the greatest economic and environmental impact; developing shared frameworks for circularity metrics, performance tracking, and reporting; and clarifying regulatory and infrastructure considerations that influence circular design, remanufacturing, reuse, and recycling. Central to the work is ensuring that circular economy strategies are practical, scalable, and responsive to real-world industrial conditions.
Jensen brings more than eight years of experience across engineering, logistics, operations, manufacturing, marketing, and executive leadership roles, with a strong background in managing complex projects and partnerships. Her experience includes consulting for the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), reviewing countless international sustainability project grant applications, as well as executive management at a remanufacturing facility, where she led efforts to establish a contract with a global remanufacturing partner.
The feasibility study and roadmap developed through the 2026 REI Innovation Fellowship will provide the foundation for launching the Industry-Led Circular Economy Council and seeks to position Michigan as a leader in applied, industry-driven circular economy innovation, supporting long-term economic resilience and sustainability.
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