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All regional councils in Michigan are involved, to various
degrees, in economic development. In fact, it was in response to a federal
initiative in economic development that the regional planning and
development regions in Michigan were created in the late 1960s through an
executive directive of the governor. Economic development remains a very
important program for regional councils in Michigan. While the degree of
involvement in economic development varies from region to region, some of
the major programs managed by councils include the following:
- Most of the
regional councils in Michigan are designated Economic Development
Districts (EDD) by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic
Development Administration (EDA). A major responsibility under this
program is the preparation and implementation of the Comprehensive
Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), a regional economic development
plan that serves as the blueprint for the region’s economic
development. Economic Development Districts play an important role in
assisting local communities with the implementation of economic
development infrastructure projects.
- Some regional
councils administer and manage revolving loan funds for business
development in their respective regions, and provide business
counseling.
- All regional councils
have an extensive database of economic data and information that is a
valuable tool in economic development.
- Regional councils
in Michigan are also corporate partners with the State of
Michigan’s lead economic development agency, the Michigan Economic
Development Corporation (MEDC).
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