Economic Development Leaders for Michigan unveil top 10 priorities for statewide growth and prosperity

Representing regions that comprise 79% of the state’s population and 84% of its gross domestic product, EDLM brings together leaders with over 225 years of combined experience in economic development. The coalition is committed to advancing strategies that will drive business investment, talent development, community revitalization and innovation across the state.

“At the Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance, we strongly support EDLM’s Top 10 Priorities for Statewide Growth and Prosperity, as they align with the work we do every day to help move our community and state forward,” says Tyler Rossmaessler, executive director of the Economic Alliance. “We all need to be working together to make Michigan an attractive place to invest, with policies that are competitive nationwide.”

The Top 10 Economic Development Priorities outlined by EDLM include targeted investments and policy reforms across four key categories:

Business Attraction and Retention

• Maintain business development program at $100 million to stay competitive for job-creating investments.
• Adopt a performance-based, accountable withholding tax incentive to support impactful project attraction and expansion.

Community Development

• Renew and fund the Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) Program at $50 million to support vibrant, place-based development.
• Renew and fund the Community Revitalization Program (CRP) at $50 million to reinvest in communities across Michigan.
• Modernize locally driven programs:
  • SmartZone: Extend expiring TIF agreements by 15 years, with potential for additional extensions based on local approval.
  • Transformational Brownfield Program: Simplify program access and remove funding caps to unlock more redevelopment opportunities.
• Fund the Regional Strategic Site Readiness Program at $50 million annually to accelerate development of competitive, investment-ready sites.

Talent

• Maintain the Going PRO Talent Fund, emphasizing growth in advanced manufacturing and technology sectors.
• Establish a $10 million Regional Talent Attraction and Retention Fund to support locally tailored workforce initiatives.

Innovation & Entrepreneurship

• Double the state’s R&D Tax Credit to $200 million to encourage more private-sector innovation.
• Recommit to regionally led Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programming at $100 million, restoring funding to 2012 levels (currently $15.7 million).

“This list reflects our shared vision for a stronger, more competitive Michigan,” said Randy Thelen, president and CEO of the Right Place and current Chair of EDLM.

Thelen, added: “These are the smart, bold investments we believe will create economic momentum, attract and retain talent, and ensure every region of our state can thrive.”

EDLM members urge state policymakers, business leaders and stakeholders across Michigan to support and champion these initiatives as part of a collaborative strategy to secure Michigan’s future economic success.

About EDLM

Economic Development Leaders for Michigan (EDLM) is a coalition of Michigan’s leading regional economic development organizations, working together to create a more competitive and prosperous future for the state. EDLM regions are among the most active and productive in Michigan, representing the majority of the state’s economy and population.

About the Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance 

The Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance, a division of the Flint & Genesee Group, is the lead economic development organization for Flint and Genesee County. To build a more vibrant local economy, the Economic Alliance provides tools, resources and guidance to local companies of all sizes and stages to support their growth. The division also promotes available sites, workforce and unique assets to attract growth-oriented businesses to Genesee County. For more information, visit flintandgenesee.org, and check them out on Facebook and LinkedIn