Michigan Strategic Fund Board Allocates FY2026 Budget to Advance ‘Make It in Michigan’ Strategy

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Strategic Fund Board (MSF) today allocated the Fiscal Year 2026 budget appropriation as passed by the Michigan Legislature last month, reinforcing the shared commitment of Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the state Legislature to grow Michigan’s economy through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and its bipartisan Make It in Michigan strategy.

The allocated budget ensures continued investment in the People, Places, and Projects that drive long-term economic success, from supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs to enabling strong communities for future growth.

“We are grateful to the MSF Board, Governor Whitmer, and our bipartisan legislative partners for passing a budget upon which our communities, businesses and entrepreneurs depend,” said Quentin L. Messer, Jr., CEO of the MEDC and Chair of the MSF. “With today’s approvals, we’re building on our strong momentum to help Michiganders succeed. Whether it's fostering entrepreneurial innovation, welcoming travelers from around the globe to experience Pure Michigan or supporting risk-taking businesspeople in creating companies of all sizes, Michigan’s economic development future depends on the continued funding of these critical programs that are foundational to the state’s Make It in Michigan economic development strategy. 
 
“Significant work remains ahead, yet with this continued support for the MEDC’s core work, Team Michigan remains positioned to continue building an economy where anyone, anywhere on both peninsulas, can ‘Make It’ in Michigan,” Messer said.
 
Altogether, the Board today approved support for continued funding of the following core elements of MEDC’s work in FY26:

• Business Attraction and Community Revitalization programming
• Entrepreneurship Ecosystem support
• Small Business funding allocations
• Business Marketing efforts
• Travel Marketing and Public Relations efforts
• Seasonal Travel Guide RFP award

The MSF Board scheduled this special meeting due to the Legislature passing the FY 26 budget later than usual and after the deadline to prepare items for approval at last month's regular MSF board meeting.

Next Steps for Success in FY26
With the budget allocated, the MEDC will begin deploying additional funds and activating core programming to advance strategic initiatives statewide by creating jobs, strengthening communities, and driving sustainable, long-term growth and economic resilience.

These actions build on the MEDC’s success in FY25, including:

• Training and placing more than 5,950 workers and more than 1,480 interns in good-paying jobs
• Helping more than 2,000 new businesses start up
• Securing roughly $2.77 billion in new revenue for small businesses
• Engaging more than 3,400 active-duty military members transitioning to civilian life by partnering with the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency and LEO Veteran Employment Services
• Helping over 2,000 incumbent workers at Talent Action Team employers earn industry-recognized credential in high-demand fields
• Increasing to 310% in Michigan Career Portal registrations (from more than 50,000 job seekers nationwide) when compared to the previous year
• Activating 96 new International Trade clients amid an unstable international landscape
• Facilitating more than $4.9 billion in export sales (e.g. new sales generated by small businesses who received direct support from MEDC’s International Trade team)
• Processing 153 Michigan State Trade Expansion Program (MI-STEP) applications
• Delivering on more than 130 requests for technical support assistance (e.g. updating master plans, revising zoning ordinances, marketing materials, zoning audits, etc., for local municipalities).

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.