The Michigan Opportunity
Through dynamic discussion, The Michigan Opportunity markets the state and promotes Michigan as a world-class business location. The podcast serves as a forward-thinking voice for Michigan as a conduit to global trends and applications in the new global economy.
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PreviousEpisodes
Season - 6 Episode 15
Eric Larson, CEO, Downtown Detroit Partnership
In this fast-paced conversation, Eric Larson walks us through over 10 new and evolving developments shaping Detroit’s future—from major projects to the smaller, catalytic investments driving momentum. As the leader of the Detroit Downtown Partnership, Eric shares how coordinated planning, placemaking, and public-private collaboration are turning vision into reality.
Season - 6 Episode 12
Maureen Donohue Krauss, CEO, Detroit Regional Partnership
We sit down with Maureen Donohue Krauss, Detroit Regional Partnership (DRP) CEO, to explore how Southeast Michigan is attracting investment, growing jobs, and competing on the world stage. Maureen shares insights on the region’s strategy to win major projects, including the initiatives – VIP by DRP and Global Epicenter of Mobility. From advanced manufacturing and mobility to emerging technologies, she highlights how Metro Detroit is leveraging its legacy strengths while building for the future.
Season - 6 Episode 11
Michelle Grinnell, Chief Communications & Attraction Officer, MEDC
We sit down with Michelle Grinnell, Chief Communications & Attraction Officer at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, to break down the state’s investment priorities shaping the next generation of growth. Additionally, Michelle turns the tables and asks host Ed Clemente about the podcast’s past 5 years of highlighting the people, businesses, and communities that have impacted the state’s economy.
Season - 6 Episode 10
Jonathan Smith, Senior Chief Deputy Director, Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity
We sit down with Jonathan Smith, Senior Chief Deputy Director at the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) and explore how he leads the Community and Worker Economic Transition Office. Focusing on helping workers, communities, and businesses, he discusses building long-term economic resilience through workforce development, strategic community planning, and strengthening industrial competitiveness.
Season - 6 Episode 6
Matt Elliott, Founder and CEO, Blue Lake Ideas
Matt Elliott, Founder and CEO of Blue Lake Ideas, is a nationally recognized business and sustainability leader who advises executives and boards on navigating complexity and driving durable growth through his The Power of &™ leadership framework. In this episode Matt discusses his background as President of Bank of America Michigan and Sustainability Executive for Business and Global Commercial Banking. Diving into how he led teams across nine states and deployed more than $35 billion in sustainable capital.
Season - 6 Episode 5
Lori Lancaster, Vice Chairwoman, Emotiv Mobility and Tony Tomczak, Strategic Energy Lead, Emotiv Mobility
On this episode we highlight Emotiv Mobility, a Michigan-based leader in supply chain integration, assembly, and advanced logistics. Vice Chairwoman, Lori Lancaster and Strategic Energy Lead, Tony Tomczak, discuss how Emotiv Mobility integrates logistics, engineered systems, manufacturing, and value-added assembly to power the next generation of mobility and energy infrastructure.
Season - 6 Episode 1
Quentin L. Messer, Jr., Chief Executive Officer and Economic Competitiveness Officer of the MEDC
Quentin L. Messer, Jr. is the Chief Executive Officer and Economic Competitiveness Officer of the MEDC where he leads statewide efforts to attract business investment, create jobs, support community development, and enhance Michigan’s economic brand. In his role, Messer champions business attraction and expansion, small business support, access to capital, and equitable economic growth that benefits all Michiganders. Under his leadership, MEDC has secured more than $13 billion in electric vehicle and battery manufacturing investments and nearly 13,000 good-paying jobs for Michigan families.
Season - 5 Episode 50
Jeff Donofrio, President and CEO, Business Leaders For Michigan and Rachel Stewart, CEO, Gardner White Furniture & Mattress
On this episode we’re diving into research-driven, fact-based strategies designed to strengthen Michigan’s economy with Business Leaders for Michigan (BLM) CEO, Jeff Donofrio and Rachel Stewart, Gardner White Furniture & Mattress CEO and BLM Board member. They discuss the organization’s strategy plan “Michigan in a New Era”. By illuminating critical insights and connecting diverse perspectives, BLM’s proposals are grounded in Michigan’s current economic realities and aimed at accelerating growth, competitiveness, and long-term vitality statewide.
Season - 5 Episode 46
Mike Duggan, Mayor, City of Detroit
As the second-longest serving Mayor in Detroit history, Mike Duggan’s economic and business development strategies have centered around attracting major investments, accelerating small business growth and creating a business-friendly climate. He discusses several projects from investing in talent, to bringing back manufacturing jobs, including bringing the Lions back to Downtown Detroit with Ford Field.
Season - 5 Episode 44
Ned Staebler, Vice President for Economic Development at Wayne State University and President and CEO of TechTown
From supporting startups and emerging companies, to establishing firms, TechTown Detroit is Wayne State University’s entrepreneurship hub helping entrepreneurs develop, launch, and grow. Ned Staebler, Vice President for Economic Development at Wayne State University and President and CEO of TechTown, talks with us about how this incubator and accelerator offers a full suite of programs for tech ventures and neighborhood small businesses.
Podcast transcripts are available upon request here.
About the Host: Ed Clemente
Ed Clemente joined the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) in 2020 as the Senior Advisor for Trends and Development.
From 2012-2020, Clemente served as a two-term governor appointed Hearing Commissioner for the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC). Executing over 7,000 judicial Orders/Decisions, over the tenure of service. Prior joining the MLCC, Clemente launched Michigan’s Energy Innovation Business Council (EIBC) establishing it as 501c3 and 501c6 entity and serving as its first President.
Ed Clemente was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 2004 representing parts of southern Wayne County. During his three terms in the State House (2004-2010) he led task forces on electric vehicles, biosciences, film industry, Brownfield restoration, economic development, quality of life and advanced energy. Before his tenure as a public official, Clemente held several leadership roles at the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber of Commerce, including President and Director Economic and Business Development. He also previously chaired the Economic Development Committee of the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments and was elected as a Trustee for Wayne County Community College District, serving four terms.
Clemente has earned degrees from Ferris State, Michigan State University and Sienna Heights Universities. Clemente was awarded with a prestigious fellowship to the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and The National Judicial College for Administrative Law. He graduated from several political leadership development programs, including Leadership Detroit, Michigan Political Leadership Program, and Leadership 21. He is a previous small business owner and has taught at Northwood University. Additionally, he hosts a “Critical Conversations” podcast and is a member of the Workforce Advisors for Wayne County Community College. Ed serves on the Board of Directors for Global Ties Detroit and the Motor Cities National Heritage Area. An avid traveler, Ed has visited more than 80 countries and territories, 150+ UNESCO World Heritage sites, many to play rugby tournaments, others for professional exchange and some for just intellectual curiosity.
The Michigan Opportunity is brought to you by Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). In collaboration with more than 100 economic development partners, MEDC markets Michigan as the place to do business, assists businesses in their growth strategies and fosters the growth of vibrant communities across the state.