REI would like to thank everyone, presenters, moderators, attendees and MSU faculty-staff-students who attended the 7th annual Innovate Michigan! Summit on Thursday, September 6th. Nearly 300 economic development professionals, researchers, academics, inventors, and entrepreneurs from across the state came together to share, learn, and create innovative economic ideas for our great state. The day opened with welcoming remarks from Dr. Rachel Croson, Dean of the College of Social Science, followed by a presentation on the new MSU Food Processing and Innovation Center by Dr. Tom Lyons, Director of the MSU Product Center. All of the presentations were excellent. Some of the presentations covered topics such as... The Underground Economy, Digital Media Strategies, A Study of the Economic Impact of Startup Accelerator Programs, Agricultural Technological Innovation in Michigan, Smart Cities and Infrastructure for Michigan and Strengthening Michigan's Infrastructure and Sustainability: How Master and Capital Improvement Plans Can Help Build Sustainable "Green-Blue" Communities.

Summit attendees helped us rate ideas and topics for the 2018-2019 Co-Learning Plan Series. Some of the topics included were: Block Chain Technology; Repair Cafes; Energy Co-ops; Minority Marijuana Business Incubators and Amazon World Impacts and Opportunities. Our step is to meet with the REI Consultative Panel and narrow the list to 6-8 topics. Stay tuned!....because once we've finalized the topics we will begin soliciting for our 2018-2019 Co-Learning Plan authors!