EDA UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR Regional Economic Innovation

This applied research study will use the development of a reimagined consumer food cooperative, in coalition with a neighborhood community-based organization, to develop a circular food economy in mid-Michigan that improves the prospects for local food producers and improves the local food access...

This pilot project will expand the work of Wiba Anung, a partnership between the Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan and representatives from Michigan State University (MSU). The MSU representatives, Dr....

The aim of this project is to eliminate food waste by making excess food accessible for people in need. A food donor (e.g., a farm, a retailer, or a catering) donates some food to a food bank. Then, the food bank will quickly decide to send the food to distribution agencies or to composting...

An Alma College student team plans to work with the local community to convert an abandoned 'big-box' retail location (K-Mart) to a year round fresh vegetable and fruit production facility. Launching a cooperative controlled by local consumers and workers will benefit both urban and rural...

Agriculture is Michigan’s second largest industry and with its proximity to the automotive industry and burgeoning biosciences and Information Technology sectors, the State is poised for food and agriculture technological innovation. Currently, resources for food and ag technology are...

In regions of the state where entrepreneurial innovation is more established, the emergence of the Triple Bottom Line business model is driving growth of companies that are decidedly place-based, pay better wages and prefer purchasing local goods and services. This innovative business trend...

A student research team at Michigan Tech researched and developed an inventory of the Upper Peninsula's eco-tourism resources and gaps. They compared these with similar successful eco-tourism regions and suggested a stronger business model.

Project Updated As Of September 30th,...

The project creates a self-sustainable, resident-owned aquaponic system in the West Pulaski neighborhood of Flint that allows neighbors to work together to improve their well-being. The aquaponic will be used to grow foods that mitigate the effects of lead poisoning in people, especially...

This initiative, led by a transdisciplinary design collaborative, studio[Ci] was now in the implementation phase. Studio[Ci] engages students in more diverse leadership roles, advances through generative design and digital fabrication, the HNZE prototype...

To reduce the overall amount of waste in Genesee County, this project will examine the feasibility of establishing a regional recycling facility in the area.

An Assessment of the Development of a Sustainable Ecotourism Alliance Organization for Munising (2016)

This Co-Learning Plan examines the economic effects and sustainability potential of the creation of a Sustainable Ecotourism Alliance Organization (SEAO) in Munising to establish a...

sw[LAB] NZE Prototype creates a new Hybridized Ecosystem––an Energy Farm/Outdoor Classroom (EF/OC) for a Detroit public school and surrounding neighborhood. Our vision engages the community and leverages assets of a strong institutional...

Mountain biking is an ecotourism activity that has been growing in popularity across the country and especially in Michigan. As interest in mountain biking has increased, a number of individuals and organizations have contributed in developing and expanding the trail systems in and around...

This Co-Learning Plan provided research and a visual mapping of the current licensing process for five new and alternative models of food business to take the first step in removing a significant barrier to the emergence of a more diverse, thriving, healthy, and innovative food economy in...

This Student-Led, Faculty-Guided Project developed a tool to measure the impact of community gardening in urban areas through a survey system and examination of the area. This information provides valuable insights on how to effectively manage community resources to their greatest...

A documentary film on the socioeconomic impact of Urban Gardening/Small Scale Farming initiatives in Detroit. Using a documentary cinematic process as the medium, students focused on three communities which qualify as underserved and are involved in Urban Gardening and/or small scale urban...

Joy-Southfield CDC's goal was to create a healthy community that is known as the greenest neighborhood in Detroit. This project focused on improving the economic health of the community in two ways. It developed a short-range strategy to advance the CDC's on-going efforts to develop a...

The goal of this project was to bring together the planning and economic development tools that communities would need to designate spaces for farmers, retailers, distributors, processors, and other services, such as community kitchens, to locate near one another in ways that would serve both...