Shows
Business LabFighting forever chemicals and startup fatigueWhat if we could permanently remove the toxic “forever chemicals” contaminating our water? That’s the driving force behind Michigan-based startup Enspired Solutions, founded by environmental toxicologist Denise Kay and chemical engineer Meng Wang. The duo left corporate consulting in the rearview mirror to take on one of the most pervasive environmental challenges: PFAS. "PFAS is referred to as a forever chemical because it is so resistant to break down. It does not break down naturally in the environment, so it just circles around and around. This chemistry, which would break that cycle, break the molecule apart, could r...2025-07-2218 min
STEM EverydaySTEM Everyday #301 | Education & Business Connections | feat. Spencer LuckerAs education faces new challenges from technology and an ever-changing labor market, the need for public-private partnership in education is as important as ever. Local governments and business organizations everywhere are realizing this need, and building partnerships and advocacy groups to help make these necessary connections.The state of Michigan has long relied on public-private partnerships to prepare students for jobs of the future, and it has adjusted its work to include STEM, STEAM, and workforce development. One such example is its STEAM Ahead program launched in 2021. Spearheaded by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC...2025-07-2227 min
Left of LansingFriday Short: Corporate Handouts Lead To Corporate Corruption In Michigan's MEDC#podcast #politics #progressives #Democrats #Republicans #Michigan #MEDC #SOAR #MAGA #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #WorkingClass #CorporateWelfare #Whitmer #RickSnyder #Jobs #Inequality
Here's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for July 18, 2025.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, a Democrat, opened a criminal investigation on the Michigan Economic Development Corporation's grant to Fay Beydoun's nonprofit business.
Beydoun is a longtime Democratic Party donor, and an appointee to the MEDC by Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Beydoun allegedly used the grant money for her nonprofit, Global Link International, to pay for first class plane tickets, her $500k salary, and a $4,500 coffee maker!2025-07-1804 min
'JR MorningMEDC Grant Cancelled Following ScrutinyJune 6, 2025 ~ Detroit News reporter Beth LeBlanc joins Chris and Jamie to discuss the cancellation of a $20 million MEDC grant that has been under scrutiny due to questionable expenditures and concerns over how state taxpayer money is being managed.2025-06-0605 min
Michigan Business NetworkMichigan Business Beat | Elissa Sangalli, Northern Initiatives, Connecting Underserved BorrowersOriginally uploaded July 11th, re-edited April 22nd.
Jeffrey Mosher welcomes Elissa Sangalli, President/CEO, Northern Initiatives, Marquette, MI.
Questions
1. Can you explain the significance of Michigan having the largest state-supported CDFI program in the nation?
2. How will the $19 million awarded in this second round of MEDC funding specifically impact Michigan communities?
3. How has MEDC’s MI CDFI Fund impacted Northern Initiatives and other members of the coalition's ability to support underserved communities?
4. The FY2025 state of Michigan budget recently passed and the MI CDFI Fund was allotted $5M in funding.
What specific initiatives or projects are expected to benefit most fr...2025-04-2208 min
West Michigan Weekend (A Public Affairs Program from iHeartradio)How City of Grand Rapids and the MEDC are using Permit-Ready Plans to enhance new housing development (04-13-25)On this episode host Phil Tower speaks with Michelle Parkkonen, Managing Director of technical assistance programs at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation MEDC.Michele spoke with us about the exciting new collaboration between the City of Grand Rapids and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) is unveiling resources that will streamline the process for communities to add housing in existing neighborhoods. Permit-Ready Plans, a collaborative partnership between the City of Grand Rapids, MEDC, Michigan Municipal League (MML), and Driven Design, LLC, lowers the barrier for infill housing development by decreasing construction costs and shortening permit processing...2025-04-1312 min
Montrose FreshThe Association’s Boozy Book Fair & MEDC’s Major MovesToday: At The Association's Boozy Book Fair, book lovers enjoy a grown-up twist on the classic school book fair with a curated selection of fiction, themed cocktails inspired by popular series, and unique surprises like “Blind Date With a Book” boxes. And later: At its annual luncheon, MEDC highlighted updates on the Manufacturers Association, a potential new employer, new ownership of a historic plant, and seventy-five years of Montrose Regional Health.Support the show: https://www.montrosepress.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.2025-03-2605 min
Michigan Business NetworkMichigan Business Beat | Quentin Messer Jr. MEDC, Revitalizing Detroit’s North End with Opportunity!Chris Holman welcomes back Quentin Messer, Jr. ,Chief Executive Officer and President and Chair of the Michigan Strategic Fund MEDC, Detroit, MI.
Chris had several things he wanted to find out from Quentin in this conversation: The more than $500,000 in RAP funding to redevelop 9301 Oakland Ave. is a significant investment in the city’s future. Can you talk about why this project was selected for this funding and how it will transform Detroit’s North End?
What role do you see Detroit playing in Michigan’s broader economic landscape in the years to come?
How does the RAP initiative align with M...2025-03-0907 min
The Michigan OpportunityS5 Ep.1 - Quentin Messer, Chief Executive & Economic Competitiveness Officer, MEDCMichigan’s Economic story and what’s next for the state.We begin our fifth season with a new series Around Michigan in Under 30 Minutes, by connecting with longtime podcast supporter and returning guest, Quentin Messer Jr., Chief Executive & Economic Competitiveness Officer at MEDC. In this episode he discusses the Make it in Michigan strategy, gives us a preview of what is to come for the state, and he shares a Detroit Lions metaphor you won’t forget. 2025-01-2926 minThe Michigan OpportunityS4 Ep.21 - Aileen Bovan, Diversity, Equity & Inclusivity Officer, MEDC and Geoffrey Crawley, Chief Marketing Officer, Synergies CompaniesJoin experts discussing the unique nature of synergies companies and its role in community and economic development with the MEDCWe hear from Aileen Bovan of the MEDC discuss leading the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strategies of the organization and overseeing capital projects to align with the MEDC’s mission and vision. Also Geoffrey Crawley, Chief Marketing Officer at Synergies Companies, explains how this Detroit-based company has been a premier staffing and HR supplier since 2008, offering comprehensive solutions for Fortune 500 clients nationwide. 2024-06-2027 min
The Sound of AutomationEpisode 44: How Economic Developers Help Manufacturers GrowIn this episode of The Sound of Automation podcast, we talk to Quentin Messer, the CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). Bryan and Quentin discuss how economic developers like MEDC can help small and medium-sized manufacturing businesses grow. Listen in to learn about some of the ways MEDC attracts and retains business in Michigan and how you can leverage similar resources in your own market. For more information on Wipfli, please visit our website at:https://www.wipfli.com/manufacturing. You can also contact us here.2024-05-2227 minWest Michigan Weekend (A Public Affairs Program from iHeartradio)A JA Focus on financial literacy in high schools, plus The MEDC's STEAM Ahead internship opportunities(05-19-24)On the program this week, host Phil Tower, welcomes Bill Coderre, president and CEO of Junior Achievement Michigan Great Lakes. JA's primary focus these days is helping students with financial literacy. A big reason for that push with Junior achievement is that a new law passed in 2022 by the Michigan legislature requires that students must take a course in personal finance that is aligned with the personal finance content expectations or take a course in which the content expectations are embedded. Students earn ½ credit once they have demonstrated learning about personal finance content expectations.Online: Jun...2024-05-1828 min
Michigan Business NetworkMichigan Business Beat | Travis Alden, The Right Place - Pairs with Strategic Site Readiness ProgramChris Holman welcomes Travis Alden, Senior Director of Community Development, - The Right Place, Grand Rapids, MI.
[A project to develop a 237-acre parcel in Lowell Charter Township into a commercial and industrial campus was one of 18 projects to receive funds at the end of January from the MEDC’s new Strategic Site Readiness Program]
Welcome Travis, give us a brief overview of MEDC's new Strategic Site Readiness Program?
Tell us the highlights of this new project you're working on in Lowell Charter Twp.?
Getting things "Shovel Ready" ... Does The Right Place have any idea in store for beyond that...2024-03-0406 min
Exploring Economic Development with MEDCEpisode 42 | Getting to Know Mayor J. Christian Dumais | EED with MEDCMayor J. Christian Dumais joins us for Episode 42 of Exploring Economic Development with MEDC to discuss his first 30 days in office, priorities for the administration and why Marlborough is the city to watch.2024-02-0750 minExploring Economic Development with MEDCEpisode 41 | Discussing the Tax Rate with City Council President Mike Ossing | EED with MEDCCity Council President Mike Ossing joins us for Episode 41 of Exploring Economic Development with MEDC to dig into the recent tax rate decrease and explain what we can expect to see from the City Council in the coming months.2024-02-0743 minThe Michigan OpportunityS3 Ep.51 - Empowering Innovation: Midwest's Edward Lowe Foundation Teams Up with MEDC in a Dynamic Partnership to Fuel Small Business GrowthDan Wyant, Chairman and President at Edward Lowe Foundation, and Rodney Parkkonen, Small Business Consultant at MEDC, discuss their unique and dynamic partnership that assists small businesses to thrive in Michigan. Dan also has experience with many previous leadership roles in state government and policy. Ed and Darlene Lowe established the Edward Lowe Foundation in 1985 to leverage entrepreneurship as a strategy for economic growth and community development. In contrast to most U.S. foundations, which are grant-giving entities, they are an operating foundation that funds its own programs. Their entrepreneurship initiatives are focused on second-stage c...2024-01-3126 min