November 2015 - In This Issue:

REI Update for November, 2015

Share, Learn, Create Innovative Economic Development Ideas!

"A diverse and dynamic network developing innovative economic development ideas, tools, models, policies, and practices for Michigan."

*NEW* Updated Website

REI's website got a makeover! Check out our new look.


Update: Flint Co-Implementation Project

In the last REI Update, we announced our partnership with Flint to roll out the Flint Aquaponic Network & Youth Entrepreneurship and Flint City Pop-Ups Co-Implementation Projects. Since then, Bob Brown, Associate Director of MSU UCP, has been diligently working with Flint agencies and locals to get these projects up and running. 

Currently they are working on building the learning center (makerspace) with multiple growing systems that can be adapted to different environments to facilitate a comprehensive learning experience. They are also working on articulating  the content of the major elements of the initiative, developing a aquaponics curriculum, and crafting a proposal portfolio that will be used to seek development and operating  funding from multiple sources.

Check out their progress below:

Metro Flint Aquaponics poster
sweet grass from Flint aquaponics
Herbs from Flint Aquaponics
Close up of sweet grass from Flint aquaponics
sweet grass from Flint aquaponics

Idea Rating

At the Innovate Michigan! Summit, we asked participants to rate a series of recently proposed ideas and showed the results in real-time.

If you have an idea for a solution to an economic development issue, visit reicenter.org or tweet #Ideas4MI to share it!


Thank You!

In the spirit of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, the REI team would like to thank you, our wonderful network, for participating with REI and for all of the good economic development work you do in our great state!

Co-Learning Plans

Call for Co-Learning Plans

Lightbulb
Credit: General Services Administration

The 2015-2016 Co-Learning Plan application is now open!. Co-Learning Plans will be based around some of the ideas provided by you, the REI network, both throughout the year and during the 2015 Innovate Michigan! Summit. Applications will be due on December 7, 2015.

 

Co-Learning Plan topics include:

  • Models for Regional Distribution of Public Funding
  • Social Impact Bonds as a Means to Capitalize Economic Development for Distressed Communities
  • Attracting Talent and Building Regional Collaboration with the Metropolitan Area Projects (MAP) Program
  • "Inclusive Growth" in Michigan
  • Impact Assessment of "Big Box Stores" and Tax Abatement in Michigan
  • Carbon Tax and Dividend Policy in Michigan
  • Education Campaign and the Importance of Buying Local

Learn More 

Student-Led, Faculty-Guided Projects

Spring Semester 2016

Presenter at  2015 Innovate Michigan_ Summit
REI is currently requesting applications from university faculty for Student-Led, Faculty-Guided Projects for the Spring semester. Applications are due on Saturday, November 21.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to leverage our state's vast higher education network to make our communities more economically viable!
To see a few past projects click here, subjects include:

Videos

It's not Throwback Thursday, but here is a look back at a Co-Learning Plan that took a look into the pop-up business model. Michael Forsyth and Dr. Rita Fields explain the impact and goal of pop-up businesses in Detroit and Michigan's economy as a whole.

MSU Center for Community and Economic Development
1615 E. Michigan Ave.
Lansing, MI 48912

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer

Michigan State University, University Outreach and Engagement, Center for Community and Economic Development
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