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.
SubscribeThe Michigan Opportunity Podcast
PreviousEpisodes
Martha MacFarlane-Faes, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer, Michigan State Historic Preservation Office
Learn the 3 key points about the future of our Michigan history and preservation from our resident expert at The State Historic Preservation Office, and how it could help in the hunt for knowledge jobs!
Join our guest Martha MacFarlane-Faes, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer, Michigan State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) as she discusses with our host Ed Clemente the complicated but rewarding value of preservation and how it could be a valuable tool to attract and retain talent to the state. She currently oversees SHPO’s community and economic development programs, including archaeology, local historic districts, planning, survey, historic preservation tax credits, and Certified Local Governments. Also learn about Governor’s Award for Historic Preservation; Michigan Historic Preservation Network, Annual Statewide Preservation Conference and National Preservation Month. Having lived in Silicon Valley, New England and Chicago, Martha is happy to have made Michigan her home.
Frank Muller, CEO - Exlterra
How do you fix Chernobyl? Exlterra has discovered the answer, plus additional sustainable ways to improve brownfield sites around the world!
Join Frank Muller, CEO of Exlterra, and host Ed Clemente and learn how Michigan-based Exlterra is remediating the brownfield world through their patented process. Discover how they develop, produce and commercialize sustainable technological solutions applied to the environment. They have made great progress at the Chernobyl radioactive site, and have operations in Poland, Japan and Switzerland, with the technology made right here in Michigan. Also learn about the interesting path co-founder and Polish-born U.S. inventor Andrew Niemczyk, CTO took to get to Michigan and America. Plus, learn about what its like to be the Michigan Honorary Consul for the Country of Switzerland.
Michelle Grinnell - MEDC Senior Vice-President & Host Ed Clemente, Senior Advisor for Trends and Development
The Michigan Opportunity Podcast is celebrating it’s one year anniversary! Join Michelle Grinnell, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications for MEDC who puts Ed on the hot seat with a ‘year in review.’
Join Michelle Grinnell, MEDC Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications as she grills host Ed Clemente about the 50+ economic development guests over the last year. Though Ed has a very nontraditional background, it “uniquely” compliments MEDC’s The Michigan Opportunity Podcast. Learn the sage advice from the many economic development guests, especially in areas of their unique career paths, their elevator speeches, future trends and disrupters, career advice and what they like best about Pure Michigan. Listen to the many stories of the Michigan geographic ecosystems and trends observed over the year such as: variety small business, connectivity, mobility, talent, higher education, finance, Industry 4.0, digital nomads, supply/block chain, edge computing, international footprints, digital nomads, BIO R&D, infrastructure, CED and what Michigan could look like by 2050! And so much more!
Naheed Huq of Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) and Metropolitan Affairs Coalition (MAC)
How SEMCOG & MAC will change the face of southeast Michigan for Shared Prosperity, Economic Development and expose its New Future!
Join Naheed Huq and host Ed Clemente as they discuss a wide variety of topics from what are SEMCOG and MAC and what they’re doing to support communities and workforce development in southeast Michigan. They discuss the challenges facing talent training, retention and attraction, digital divide, and other workforce issues, including how local governments are handling disruption and change in the new economy. Also, a discussion about Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) and how and why it was created. They touch on the region’s shared prosperity for a resilient economy and how it is being implemented. Additionally, how they are approaching the New Future of Southeast Michigan series. Listen in to hear all of the work going into building a more resilient, diverse, and equitable economy in the state’s seven-county southeast region.
Ray Lozano of Mexicantown Community Development Corporation
Mexicantown: How an already vibrant community is moving into a 21st century High Tech region.
In 1989, a group of Latino community leaders with expertise in business development and training, unified in the mission to create a Latino-owned and operated agency, Mexicantown CDC. Join Ray Lozano, Executive Director, and host Ed Clemente to learn about how this very diverse community is evolving with support from many non-profits and private and public groups working together to solidify this Southwest Detroit region. Learn how the Ford Motor Company mobility innovation district in Corktown, located around the renewed Michigan Central Station, is also affecting the rest of the Southwest region in how they live, work and play. Discover the interesting biography of our guest from his challenging Latino roots, on being a Vietnam Veteran, and running the Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, his work with DTE and his many other career paths. Mr. Lozano also discusses some future trend predictions and experienced career advice.
Keona Cowan, Executive Vice President, Invest Detroit
A discussion about community-based lender “Invest Detroit” and their support of small business owners and developers of color.
The Michigan Opportunity had the pleasure of having a passionate discussion with Keona Cowans, Executive Vice President for Invest Detroit. Invest Detroit is a mission-driven lender, investor, and partner that supports business and real estate projects that will assist economic growth in Detroit and the region. Invest Detroit’s mission is to work for all Detroiters for an improved quality of life – inclusive housing, resourceful and walkable neighborhoods, and to provide equitable opportunities for jobs and business growth.
Ms. Cowans walks us down the many avenues of how the city weathered COVID-19 challenges, as well as the organizations many partners and stakeholders, the challenges of underserved communities and many other topics.
Tom Durkee of MEDC, Deidra Mitchell of Waséyabek Development Company, LLC Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi
Beyond Gaming: Economic diversification within Michigan’s Tribes.
The Michigan Opportunity had the pleasure of having a discussion with Deidra Mitchell, President & CEO of Waséyabek Development Company, LLC, Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi, and Tom Durkee, Business Development Manager, MEDC.
From Tom we will learn about the interaction of what the MEDC Tribal Business Development Program is, and the variety projects that they have been involved with recently and some of the trends. With Deidra we get an inside view of what types Tribally-owned business there are by the 12 Tribes of Michigan. Additionally, we will learn about the local economic impact and how Tribally-owned businesses differ from others in Michigan.
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.