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The Spring Student-Led, Faculty-Guided Project Application Deadline is Approaching Soon! 
REI is looking for enthusiastic and inventive students from Colleges and Universities in Michigan to help complete local and regional economic development initiatives for communities in need. With the supervision of an experienced faculty member, you could be the one to provide this technical assistance and present your project at the 2021 Innovate Michigan! Summit! Apply by clicking the image above, or the button below.

Applications are due November 13th, 2020.
Strategy for Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship in the North Side of Flint 
This 2020 Student-Led, Faculty-Guided project, authored by Psalm Bingham (pictured above) and Dr. Stephen P. Gasteyer, helps guide the development of young entrepreneurs in the North side of Flint, MI. Using Flint's Community Capitals Framework, this project provided positive economic opportunities and addressed critical development needs in Flint, with the goals of empowering the youth and reducing violence.

To learn more about this project, click the image above. To view other 2020 REI projects, click the button below!
Write a Co-Learning Plan
Are you interested in partnering with REI to help a community in need navigate through pressing challenges? From now until November 20th, REI is calling for Co-Learning Plan authors to submit innovative economic development projects to help strengthen communities by setting them on a trajectory for success.

To explore Co-Learning plan topics and to apply, click the image above or the button below!
2021 Innovation Fellows
Work with your fellow community members to turn concepts into actions, addressing the development issues that your community faces daily. Become one of two Innovation Fellows that REI will work with this coming year to encourage entrepreneurship, create jobs, and inspire community transformation. Applications are due November 23rd.

For application instructions, qualifications, and submissions, click the image above or button below!
Submit a CERI Pre-Application
REI's Comprehensive Economic Recovery Initiative will support 8-16 projects at $5,000 each for the next two years to help innovators provide technical service to assist distressed communities and/or organizations in implementing strategies to help Michigan become a more equitable state for all.
 
CERI projects will focus on:
-Circular economy projects
-Resiliency planning
-Community capital
-and 21st century communication infrastructure

To learn more or to apply, click the image above or button below.
Introducing REI's Newest Staff Member: Mary ZumBrunnen
For two decades, Mary ZumBrunnen has worked across communities at home and abroad focused on sustainable development to improve quality of life. Since 2005 she has focused on Michigan, helping hundreds grow their community vision to fruition. She holds a BS in agriculture and natural resource communication and MS' degrees in community resource development and business administration – each from Michigan State University.

To learn more about Mary, click the image above.
Your Voice Matters
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, our communities are in need of motivated innovators and problem solvers now more than ever! Join REI in our commitment to bring sustainable prosperity and equitable economies to our communities by creating, applying, and disseminating valued knowledge through responsive engagement, strategic partnerships, and collaborative learning.

Click the image above or button below to suggest ideas!