2025 Year in Review: Steady as MEDC Goes

In a year marked by ebbs and flows, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) has remained a steady ship in stormy waters. Much like the over 120 lighthouses that keep watch over Michigan’s shores, the MEDC’s guiding light is the Make It in Michigan economic development strategy, illuminating the People, Places and Projects that call Michigan home. 

With this steadfast focus, the MEDC delivered for Michiganders in 2025 – supporting small businesses and startups, training and placing talent and uplifting communities – all while earning its own accolades. 

We invite you to reflect with us on the notable landmarks and milestones of 2025. 

Supporting Michigan’s Small Businesses

Small business support is at the core of the MEDC’s work throughout the state of Michigan. There are over 900,000 small businesses in Michigan, which account for more than 99% of all businesses in the state and employ 1.9 million people. The MEDC’s Small Business Services team continues to be a trusted resource helping small businesses Make It in Michigan. 

In 2025, the MEDC supported small businesses over 24,000 times, from providing small business owners with access to capital and international trade support to matchmaking opportunities. Grand Rapids-based Buell Motorcycle Co. used the Collateral Support program to access $3,992,000 collateral support on an $8 million working capital line of credit towards its Super Cruiser growth plans, while Traverse City’s Promethient received a MI-STEP grant to participate in METSTRADE Amsterdam.

The MEDC also helped over 2,000 new businesses start up as a result of MEDC or contracted partner support, across the Michigan Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Small Business Support Hubs, SSBCI TA and Entrepreneurship, securing $2.87 billion in new revenue. Mitten Health & Performance in Elk Rapids was able to secure a business loan and reach profitability quickly thanks to support with business plan development from the SBDC.  

Revitalizing and Building Communities

Placemaking is a cornerstone of the Make It in Michigan economic development strategy and the MEDC’s mission to develop attractive places and thriving communities for businesses to grow and people to live. This past year, placemaking projects supported by the MEDC have helped add critical housing, revitalize downtowns and improve quality of life. 

In January, Lansing’s former Walter French High School opened its doors as The Residences at Walter French with all 76 units leased – and over 2,000 inquiries. With nearly $40 million in public and private investment, including a $5 million Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) grant awarded by the MEDC in 2022, Capital Area Housing Partnership transformed more than 200,000 square feet into affordable homes and essential community-serving space for the Lansing area.   

In the U.P., Marquette’s Ore Dock Brewing Co. celebrated the ribbon cutting of its latest expansion, the Trestle, in March. The two-story cocktail lounge and beer garden was supported by the Michigan Strategic Fund in 2023, building on additional MEDC support for the project including a Match on Main grant and RAP funding.  

The MEDC also supported new placemaking projects in 2025 that will have a transformative effect on communities across the state in the years to come. In FY25, the MEDC supported over 150 placemaking projects in all 10 prosperity regions, resulting in just over $1.62 billion leveraged in private investment, nearly 3.6 million square feet in public space reactivated and nearly 3,400 projected housing units. 

From Transformational Brownfield Plan projects in Pontiac, Muskegon and Southfield to Michigan Community Revitalization Program projects in Ferndale and Manistique, these developments will add hundreds of new homes, revitalize downtowns and help make Michigan’s communities where people want to build a future.  

Serving our Customers as a Trustworthy Partner 

In September and October 2025, the MEDC surveyed customers about their experiences working with the organization, including businesses, site consultants, small businesses, entrepreneurs, community representatives, developers and partners. This survey has been conducted every fall since 2016, providing key feedback on our strengths as an organization and opportunities for improvement. 

This year, the MEDC received a total of 989 responses, and the results are clear: our customer satisfaction is strong, with 81% very or somewhat satisfied with our customer service, and 90% of respondents think the MEDC is trustworthy.  

The MEDC will use these results to pursue continuous improvement, with a focus on delivering responsive and effective services that meet the needs of the changing economic landscape and deliver maximum value to Michigan, while also demonstrating how the MEDC makes decisions, including project award and financial decisions, to live our cultural values of accountability and customer excellence.  

Earning Top National Rankings

In 2025, Michigan and the MEDC stood out on a national and international stage. From ranking No. 6 in CNBC’s list of America’s Top States for Business – up three spots from 2024 and the state’s highest placement on the list to date – to remaining the No. 1 state in the automotive industry and moving up to No. 3 for semiconductors in Business Facilities’ 21st Annual Rankings Report, Michigan held its core industries and pushed the needle forward. 

As a leader in advanced manufacturing and clean energy, Michigan received a Silver Shovel recognition from Area Development for 12 transformational projects, which were delivered through the state’s “Make It in Michigan” economic development strategy. One of these projects, Corning, was also recognized as a Manufacturing Project of the Year. 

The MEDC also received its share of accolades in 2025. In April, the MEDC earned its designation as an Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO) by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). This prestigious honor recognizes professional excellence among economic development organizations worldwide. The MEDC is one of only two U.S. state agencies to receive AEDO accreditation, affirming its position as a national leader in economic development strategy, innovation and execution. 

Detroit hosted the IEDC Annual Conference in September 2025, where the MEDC was present to celebrate its AEDO designation, participate in panels and accept six Economic Development Awards – three gold and three silver – for its work to support vibrant communities across the state, develop and retain talent and build a future where everyone can “Make It in Michigan.” 
 
In addition to its AEDO designation and Excellence in Economic Development Awards from the IEDC, Business Facilities announced the MEDC Talent Action Team as part of its 2025 class of Economic Development Organization Awards, which shine a spotlight on innovative and impactful economic development programs and initiatives.

Sharing 83 Voices from Michigan’s 83 Counties 

In 2024, the MEDC launched Voices, a storytelling initiative aimed at sharing the stories of Michiganders from across the state. As of 2025, the Voices project now features a voice for each of Michigan’s 83 counties, reflecting the diverse range of communities, industries and experiences that can be found here. 

Meet Michiganders like: Wi Mueller, a Lebanon-born chef putting her passion into practice at Keweenaw Mountain Lodge in the remote northern tip of the U.P.; Loren Townes Jr., director of entrepreneurial services at Ann Arbor SPARK, accelerating tech startups and early-stage companies; and Sean Hilbert, president of Cobra AERO and its sister company Cobra MOTO, contributing to the state’s mobility and aerospace industries and championing Michigan’s leadership in defense. 

Looking Ahead to 2026 

Reflecting on this past year, the MEDC is committed to steering the course for economic development in 2026, working alongside Governor Whitmer, the Michigan Legislature and our partners across Michigan to ensure vitality and prosperity for all 10 million-plus Michiganders.