Discovering and applying new and innovative economic development tools, models, policies, and programs
Creating Jobs and Wealth in Distressed Michigan Communities
Welcome to the 2026 project year! The MSU U.S. EDA University Center for Regional Economic Innovation (REI) funds several types of projects: Co-Learning Projects, researched and written by professionals; Co-Implementation Plans, led by Innovation Fellows; and Student-Led, Faculty-Guided Technical Assistance projects, researched and written by student teams at Michigan universities and colleges. Please visit the Completed Projects page for examples of these types of work. You may also view the application page for project timelines and to apply for REI funding. Submitted projects will receive priority if they serve Asset Limited-Income Constrained-Employed (ALICE) populations living within Redevelopment Ready Communities (RRCs) and/or Opportunity Zones (OZs). Projects are encouraged to focus on one of four foci areas, including: resiliency planning, financial resiliency, circular economies, or 21st century communications infrastructure.
Within these foci, please select one of the 6 topical areas for the 2026 project year (or 'other'). Not sure if your project fits? Please send questions to Jenan Jondy at jondyjen@msu.edu.
1. Leveraging Higher Education as Anchors for Community Investment
This project would examine strategies to engage higher education institutions in aligning endowments and programs with community investment goals, including partnerships with CDFIs and local business funds.
2. Ecosystem Over Ownership: Advancing Collaborative Economic Models in Distressed Communities
This project would examine community-centered investment models - such as mutual ownership and democratic finance - and assess their impact on small business stability, job retention, and local economic resilience.
3. Donor Advised Funds and Family Wealth: Unlocking Capital for Community
This project would analyze how DAFs, family foundations, and trusts could serve as vehicles for equitable community investment, while identifying barriers and proposing frameworks to increase their use.
4. Exploring Job Creation Potential Through Extended Producer Responsibility and Waste Reduction Policies in Michigan
This study would estimate the impact on job creation for Michigan’s salvage, reuse, and recycling industries if the state adopted extended producer responsibility policies and expanded materials recovery programs.
5. Finding the “Sweet Spot” in Housing Development Permitting: Aligning Government Processes with Developer Expectations
This project would explore how local governments can better assess and communicate realistic permitting timelines based on project characteristics - helping communities refine processes to align with the needs of targeted housing development.
6. Advancing Community Benefit Agreements in Publicly Funded Economic Development
This topic would assess Michigan economic development professionals’ attitudes toward community benefit agreements and recommend strategies to integrate community benefit planning into standard economic development practices.
7. Other