Are you a community mover and shaker? 

The Innovation Fellows Program was established in 2016 to attract and support top champions in communities and organizations to tackle the tough economic development issues facing distressed communities and to implement solutions

Innovation Fellows provide on-the-ground support and coordination to move concepts to actions. Innovation Fellows will identify recommendations in past Co-Learning Plans to serve as current and practical information for local and state economic development practitioners and policymakers as they consider important decisions for Michigan communities and regions.

If you or someone you know is an innovative thinker, a real change agent with a great project for a distressed community or region, please consider this opportunity!

Applications are due November 16, 2018. 

To apply, visit our Submit an Application page.

To see past projects, visit our website.

Are you an innovative thinker?

The REI University Center is calling for Co-Learning Plan author(s)! 

Co-Learning is a process in which multiple parties collaborate to generate new knowledge. In a Co-Learning Project, innovative economic development tools, models, strategies, policies, and practices are researched, and the findings and recommendations serve as a key resource for economic development practitioners and policymakers in Michigan. 

Co-Learning Plans can be written by practitioners, decision makers, community leaders, entrepreneurs, scholars, or other stakeholders. Co-Learning Plan selection is a competitive process, and REI typically funds up to four Co-Learning Projects each year.  

This year's topics include: 

• Blockchain Technology Impact 
• Can Local Produce Stop Climate Change? 
• Community Benefit Agreements
• Energy Co-ops Across America
• MILE Act, Part II
• Online Market Place and Main Street
• Repair Cafes 
• The Reuse Industry
• Other

Applications are due December 14, 2018.

Visit the Submit an Application page to view this year's topics and apply! 

Strengthening Michigan's Infrastructure and Sustainability

John Austin & Dayne Walling

This Co-Learning Plan examines the implementation of Michigan's municipal master plans and capital improvement plans (CIP) in the context of the challenges with public infrastructure systems and the opportunities for a future blue and green economy. Statewide information is assessed and municipal profiles are developed and compared to represent a range of population size, economic characteristics, geographic location. Legislative, policy, and strategic management reforms are recommended to overcome impediments and optimize public infrastructure systems.

Learn more! 

Economic Assessment of Startup Accelerators

Tony Willis, Josie Keenan, & Jared Wein

Startup Accelerators have become a crucial component in the startup ecosystem as they provide capital, guidance, and set objectives for startups. This Co-Learning Plan is an analysis of accelerators on multiple levels consisting of common denominators of the most successful accelerators, how accelerators and local community partners view success in their accelerator programs, and hurdles and challenges to starting and sustaining an accelerator.

Learn more! 

Smart Cities and Infrastructure for Michigan

Dong Zhao & Meltem Duva

Smart cities represent the future of urban and infrastructure development. This Co-Learning Plan focuses on the concept and structure of smart cities, as well as the benefits to the people who live in the urban environment. The outcomes of this Co-Learning Plan provide quantifiable evidence on the development path of smart cities and infrastructure, particularly for Michigan.

Learn More! 

Agricultural Technological Innovation in Michigan

Terri Barker

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 siloed, and the aim of this Co-Learning Plan is to work with stakeholders to identify and collect the materials needed to develop this sector.

Learn more! 

Thank you for attending!

On Thursday, September 6, entrepreneurs, economic developers, policy makers, researchers, elected officials, students, and university faculty all came together to learn and discuss innovative economic development tools and policies for Michigan. Co-Learning Plans, Innovation Fellows, and Student-Led Faculty-Guided projects alike were featured in presentations.

For more information, visit our Summit page!