Make it In Michigan Year in Review
Letters to our Legislative Partners
Team Michigan is much bigger than the MEDC. Together with State leaders and the Michigan Legislature, we will make a long-lasting and positive impact on the lives of Michiganders for generations to come.
Our commitment as Team Michigan
Read MoreSHARED VISION OF PROSPERITY IN MICHIGAN
"To grow our economy and build a brighter future, we must continue competing for projects that bring manufacturing and supply chains home, invest in people so they can pursue their potential, and revitalize places to make them more attractive places to live, work, and invest."
- Governor Whitmer
The Make it in
Michigan Strategy
Investing in Our People
MEDC is working to keep our talented workers in the state and help more people see a future here by offering a range of resources designed to empower and grow a diverse, evolving workforce.
- Become a top ten state for real median household income growth
Revitalizing Our Places
MEDC works to create and support attractive spaces where talent wants to live and work, businesses want to locate, and travelers want to visit and explore.
- Achieve largest net gain of talent in the Midwest
- Grow Michigan Main Streets
Competing For and Winning Projects
MEDC connects businesses with resources to secure investments that help them launch and grow, while also nurturing the communities around them.
- Become a top ten state for small business growth, revenue growth, and venture capital funding
- Develop a resilient and equitable economy by becoming a top ten state in job growth in focus industries
- Lead the Midwest in new business starts
Promises Made, Promises Kept!
Delivering Results For People
Ian Gibson, of Milford, is a Kettering University electrical engineering student and Michigander Scholar. The first of its kind in the country, the Michigander Scholars program provides undergraduate and graduate students with unprecedented access to industry knowledge, career opportunities, and scholarships. Ian has completed two co-ops with GM through the program, and plans to stay in Michigan to work for an auto manufacturer after graduation. “The Michigander Scholars program has helped Michigan students realize the importance of staying in our great state! There is a great amount of academic and economic opportunity in Michigan, which is leading change in the automotive and technology industries.”
Developing Vibrant Places
Marquette, an MEDC-certified Redevelopment Ready Community, is an Upper Peninsula destination and thriving downtown filled with attractions for community members and tourists alike Through ongoing and recent revitalization projects like brownfield redevelopment at the Marquette General Hospital and the expansion of Ore Dock Brewery to include residential units and commercial space, downtown Marquette’s placemaking success continues to showcase all that the U.P. has to offer.
Grand Rapids has seen numerous place-based projects in previous years, including matching grants from MEDC from the highly-successful Public Spaces Community Places initiative. Grand Rapids’ Highland Park underwent a massive revitalization effort with funds from the program, creating year-round recreation opportunities and further accessibility for the beloved community destination.
Securing Projects and Driving Opportunity
Getman Corporation (pictured) based in Bangor, is a global supplier of mobile equipment leveraging over 60 years of experience in the global mining industry. To continue its international growth and presence in West Michigan, Getman worked with the MEDC to receive MI-STEP funding, expand their global connections, and leverage federal resources.
3E Nano Inc. is a Canadian-based, leading clean-tech company providing nano-thin energy and solar control coatings for a variety of industries, establishing its U.S. headquarters and manufacturing facility in Canton Township with the support of a Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant.
‘MAKE IT IN MICHIGAN’ STRATEGY IN ACTION
Impacts from the First Full Fiscal Year Under the Strategy
$11.1 Billion in Projected Private Investment
+1,100 Interns Paced at Key Employers
+3400 New Housing Units Planned
+1.5 Million Trips to the State Influenced by Pure Michigan Campaign
+16,200 Sign Ups to The Michigan Career Portal By People Interested in Working in Michigan
+3,000 People Trained or Hired into Good Paying Jobs & +17,900 Committed New Jobs
+850 New Small Businesses Started Through MEDC and Partner Support
$2.2 Billion in Revenue Facilitate for Michigan Small Business
Transparency
The MEDC takes its stewardship of taxpayer dollars seriously, with an open and transparent process.
The Michigan Strategic Fund Board remains committed to transparency with:
- Appointees by the Governor with representation from bicameral leadership
- Bipartisan legislative leader designees
- Meetings open to the public with invited public participation
- Funding appropriated by the Michigan Legislature
- Annual Legislative Reports published on MichiganBusiness.org
- Ongoing legal and compliance review
MICHIGAN VERSUS EVERYBODY
Michigan is playing to win on behalf of our 10-million-plus friends and neighbors, and the world is taking notice: Team Michigan continues to rack up national awards and recognition.
Michigan named #1
for Automotive Industry Strength in Business Facilities Annual Rankings Report, with other top spots in semiconductors, EV investment and more
Michigan cracks Top 10
in Site Selector Magazine's Top State for Business Climate rankings (third year in a row Michigan rose in the list; #20 in 2022 and #12 in 2023)
Michigan in Top 10
for the first time in Area Development’s annual Top States for Doing Business rankings (up from #13 in 2023)
Michigan named a Top 10 State
for Business in CNBC’s America’s Top States for Business in 2024 (up from #9 in 2023)
Michigan is #1 State
for energy-sector job growth
Michigan is #1 State
for securing federal IRA funding, receiving nearly $1.5 billion for semiconductor and electric manufacturing projects
Growing Our Population
Michigan is committed to growing its population by taking a holistic approach that includes launching new pilots and programs, conducting research, implementing policy initiatives and continuing to tell its story across the state and nation as the best place to live, work, raise and family and start a business.
Population growth requires long-term commitment, and while we still have much work to do, Michigan is being intentional about creating great places, great opportunities and proudly telling our own story on our path to becoming a top 10 state for growth.
Michigan Growth Outcomes to Date
- 5th largest acceleration in growth of our younger adult population between the ages of 25-44
- Improved five spots in two years in U-Haul’s growth index, a 10% improvement further narrowing the gap between those leaving and arriving in Michigan
- Continued growth over two U.S. Census Bureau data releases
- Postsecondary educational attainment and new critical housing inventory are both up
Economic Indicators of Success
Employment
Michigan’s payroll employment has fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels. The most recent data available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show employment levels in Michigan that exceed March 2020 levels.
Income
Michigan’s median household income has improved 26% since 2018, to $69,183 in 2023. This is slightly slower growth than seen nationally during the same period (28%).
Labor Force Participation
An improved labor force participation rate has been the star of the show in Michigan’s post-pandemic recovery, improving from 59.2 percent in January 2021 to 62.2 percent in November 2024, closing a major gap between the state’s rate and the U.S. average.
Wages
According to BLS, average annual wages in Michigan grew 22 percent from 2018 to 2023. The average annual income for payrolled employees in Michigan is now $65,901 (2023).
GDP
Michigan's gross regional product (GRP) increased 7 percent from 2018 to 2023. As of 2023, Michigan’s $658 billion GRP made it the 14th largest state economy in the U.S.
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Select a region or use the arrows to see more information on each region
The Collaborative Development Council (CDC) works with the MEDC to streamline services from statewide agencies, improve customer service, and coordinate information sharing and resources to encourage new regional initiatives. The MEDC is proud to support the CDC through outreach grants each year to drive a greater regional impact in communities across every corner of the state.
ABOUT THE MEDC
The MEDC provides a full suite of services and support to make sure everyone can make it in Michigan
MEDC Services
- Guiding and investing in placemaking
- Helping small businesses grow
- Providing buyer and supplier matchmaking
- Expanding business into international markets
- Accelerating startup opportunities
- Preparing sites for future development
- Finding good paying jobs with Michigan businesses
- Promoting Michigan as a best-in-class destination for business, talent and travel
- Protecting and rehabilitating Michigan’s historic places
MEDC’s Latest Recognitions
Named a Top 5 best-in-class state economic development agency by Development Counsellors International (DCI)
Named one of Fast Company’s most innovative companies
Recognized nationally as an Inc. Power Partner for business success
Accredited Economic Development Organization
In 2025, the MEDC became one of only two state economic development agencies to receive esteemed AEDO accreditation through a rigorous peer review process. This accomplishment demonstrates our commitment to the highest levels of accountability, transparency, and effectiveness.
To Learn More, Let’s Connect
Tupac A. Hunter
Senior External Affairs
Executive
[email protected]
517.582.0973
Ann Marie Stafford
Senior External Affairs Director
[email protected]
517.648.8374
Bree Anderson
Vice President, Legislative Affairs
[email protected]
517.643.2243
Danielle McCann
Legislative Affairs Director
[email protected]
517.643.5450