Emma Gilbert began at the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission in 2023. As the Economic Development Planner, she supports the development, maintenance, and implementation of the region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) and helps identify priority economic development programming and planning initiatives. Other responsibilities include assisting local communities and organizations in navigating federal grant opportunities, cultivating cross-sector regional partnerships, and providing various technical and administrative support for the agency’s community development program. Recently, she has been assisting with the coordination of the South Central Regional Housing Partnership, serving Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties, an initiative supported by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA). She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Relations & Policy, a Bachelor of Science in Urban & Regional Planning, and a Master of Science in Urban and Regional Planning from Michigan State University.