MEDC MiPlace

06/05/2026

, in partnership with Michigan Downtowns (MDA), recently welcomed downtown directors and downtown development professionals from regions 5, 6 and 7 to Downtown Owosso for a networking lunch and walking tour.

The event brought together downtown leaders from across the region to exchange ideas, share best practices, discuss common challenges, and build stronger connections among communities dedicated to creating vibrant and thriving downtowns.

This networking series, a joint effort of Michigan Main Street and the Michigan Downtown Association, is designed to encourage collaboration, spark new ideas, and strengthen Michigan’s statewide network of downtown and community development professionals.

06/05/2026

Happy ! Today we are highlighting the Michigan Main Street team's recent trip to Detroit to spend the day with Vanguard Community Development Corp, Deshea Agee, and Downtown Professionals Network strengthening the business recruitment process for North End Main Street.

The Business Recruitment Service is just one of many technical assistance offerings available to Michigan Main Street communities. This service, provided by the team at Michigan Main Street and facilitated by Downtown Professionals Network, helps communities build successful business recruitment processes through understanding district data, knowledge-building, and strategic guidance. Throughout the process, we also help communities test and refine the systems they’ve built.

Fruitful conversations, led by Deshea, provided North End Main Street with critical recommendations to reflect, build confidence, and adapt their strategy.

This was the culmination of more than a year of work, and kudos to North End Main Street for their commitment to enhancing district vitality by supporting local entrepreneurs! We’re excited to see this momentum continue!

06/04/2026

Bellaire is building a unique, multi-use community space in downtown that will connect neighbors through art, craft, learning, and food! Crosshatch Meeting Place and Mercantile is a new venture coming to a long vacant building, supported through MEDC's Public Spaces Community Places grant program. In partnership with Michigan Municipal League and Patronicity, the campaign will support the remaining costs of the build-out for the space.

This community gathering space will provide guests with many different ways to engage with the space and one another including:
🧶A host of workshop offerings
🎡Community events
📚A rotating storefront
🖌️mini letterpress studio
☕️A cozy cafe offering an assortment of coffee, tea, and food.

If the campgain reaches its $50,000 crowdfunding goal by July 2nd, it will unlock matching support from the MEDC through the PSCP program. Learn more and become a supporter here: https://www.patronicity.com/project/crosshatch_meeting_place_and_mercantile #!/

06/04/2026

Community Planner Katie Rappe and Community Development Manager Josh Prusik recently attended the Community Foundation of St. Clair County's Rural Summit, a day-long gathering celebrating the achievements of rural communities and connecting the dots for future success.

The Community Foundation has been a leading facilitator in St. Clair's community development ecosystem, providing critical support to municipalities across the region. Partnership is key to successful projects of all sizes, and under-resourced communities benefit greatly when they bring together partners with a clear common goal. We especially loved the resources SCCCF created for communities to take back home with them to support readiness for investment opportunities, particularly around seeking grant funding for projects.

Over the course of the day, the summit focused on community needs and priority topics including: Outdoor Recreation & Amenities, Public Gathering Spaces, Leadership & Volunteering, Entrepreneurship & Economic Development. For continued impact, the Community Foundation is in the process of forming the Rural & Small Town Collaborative, a group designed to inform and guide Foundation's work in St. Clair County over the next several years.

MEDC is just one source of community building tools in the toolbox available to Michigan communities. We were thrilled to be a part of the relationship building and problem solving between many partners, specifically geared toward rural places and their priorities.

06/03/2026

Get ready for an energizing morning at the June 10 WLI BUILD UP Breakfast Club, hosted by ULI New York! 🌟

We’re thrilled to spotlight Lauren Cahill, Senior Vice President at Grubb Properties, as part of WLI's DYNAMIC WOMEN series. Lauren has played a key role in shaping transformative mixed-use and residential developments across New York and other major U.S. markets—and she’s bringing her insights, experiences, and leadership journey to the room

Joining her is Merrie Frankel of Minerva Realty Consultants and WLI New York Advisor, who will guide a thoughtful, inspiring conversation about leadership, impact, and the future of development.

🍽️ Come for the breakfast. Stay for the conversation. Leave with new connections and fresh inspiration.

👉 Connect with Urban Land Institute Michigan to register: [email protected]

Hope you'll join us next week!

06/03/2026

A transformational downtown redevelopment is taking shape in Downtown Marshall!

With support from our Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) program, two long-vacant historic buildings will be reimagined into a vibrant mixed-use development featuring eight new apartments, three new commercial spaces, and the preservation of an existing activated storefront.

The $3.6 million investment will help meet growing housing demand tied to the nearby BlueOval plant while driving new economic activity in Marshall. The project also preserves the historic character of “The Leon,” a landmark building that has been part of the community’s commercial core for more than a century.

Supported through RAP funding, Brownfield Tax Increment Financing, and strong local partnership, this project is another example of how Michigan communities are activating vacant spaces, creating housing, and building momentum for future growth.

As a Certified Redevelopment Ready Community, Marshall continues to demonstrate how strategic investment and local leadership can create lasting impact. Read more about the project in our latest press release: https://www.michiganbusiness.org/press-releases/2026/05/redevelopment-projects/

06/02/2026

What a perfect celebration to accompany the start of the summer! ☀️🎉We are thrilled to celebrate the ribbon cutting of Celebration Park in Reed City — a shining example of how Michigan communities are transforming public spaces to create more vibrant, welcoming places for residents and visitors.

Once a long‑vacant lot at the corner of Slosson and Chestnut, this new downtown pocket park is now a dynamic, year‑round gathering space featuring:
⛱️an interactive splash pad
🔥outdoor fireplace
🎤performance stage
🤸artificial turf play area
🌟a variety of seating options
The project will continue to grow with a planned indoor community gathering space and a removable ice rink to support winter programming, ensuring activity and enjoyment in every season. ☀️☃️🌈

Through a $1.5 million CDBG Gathering Space grant, MEDC was proud to partner with Reed City to help bring this vision to life — strengthening downtown, supporting quality of life, and creating a place future generations will know and enjoy as Celebration Park. Congratulations to Reed City and all partners who made this vibrant new public space possible.

06/02/2026

🚀 Shaping the Future of Michigan’s Cultural Landscape

Applications Now Open: Rising Leaders 2026–2027 Cohort!

The Michigan Arts and Culture Council(MACC) is excited to announce that applications are officially open for the next cohort of the Rising Leaders Program!

Are you an emerging arts or culture professional ready to expand your impact?
Do you know a rising leader in your organization who’s ready for their next step?
This is the moment.

🌟 What is Rising Leaders?
The Rising Leaders Program is a statewide, cohort-based leadership development experience built for Michigan’s cultural changemakers. Arts and culture are essential drivers of community vibrancy, strengthening local identity, sparking creativity, and energizing places where people want to live, work, and gather. This program equips leaders with the tools and networks to continue advancing that vibrancy across the state.

Over seven months (October 2026 – April 2027), participants will engage in:
• Skill-Building Workshops on strategy, finance, equity, and adaptive leadership
• Peer-to-Peer Networking across Michigan’s cultural and creative ecosystem
• Mentorship & Coaching from experienced arts and culture leaders

Why join? Because strong cultural leadership builds strong communities and Michigan’s creative sector thrives when its leaders do. Rising Leaders helps you strengthen your voice, expand your network, and shape the future of our state’s arts and cultural landscape.

💬 “The Rising Leaders Program didn’t just give me practical tools—it connected me to a powerful network that inspires my work every day.” — Rising Leaders Alum

📅 Application Deadline: Tuesday, June 30, 2026
🔗 Learn more and apply: Visit the MACC Rising Leaders Program page: https://www.michiganbusiness.org/industries/macc/rising-leaders/
📧 Questions? Contact Chad Swan‑Badgero, Arts Education Manager, at [email protected]

Don’t miss your chance to invest in your leadership journey and in the creativity and vibrancy of Michigan’s communities. Apply today or encourage a rising leader in your network!

Rising Leaders is a rigorous and highly interactive personal development initiative committed to the advancement of Michigan's arts leaders.

06/01/2026

Congratulations to the Magocs Family receiving recognition from Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office for their long-term stewardship of the Capri Drive-In Theater in Coldwater, MI!

In 1964, John and Mary Magocs opened the Capri Drive-In on the west side of Coldwater along highway US-12. The property included a single screen, folded plate roof ticket building, a concessions stand, a neon sign on the highway, and room for 800 cars. Operating the Capri was a family affair and the Magocs, along with their sons John Jr. and Tom, spent many nights together running the theater. In 1980, the family twinned the theater when they moved and installed a second screen tower from a former drive-in near Detroit.

Three generations of the Magocs family have led the Capri since its inception, nurturing the nostalgic vibe of what has become a regional destination. The Capri bills itself as a community theater and supports many activities in Coldwater, but the audience each night comes from miles around to enjoy the special experience. Fewer than a dozen drive-in theaters survive in Michigan today, and the Capri stands out for its long-term family ownership and investment.

“I would like to offer my full congratulations to the Magocs Family and The Capri Drive-In Theater on this award,” said State Sen. Jonathan Lindsey (R-Coldwater). “The Capri Drive-In has been a community staple for many years and offers fond memories for many Michiganders. It has been a part of my entire life. I remember going to see The Lion King and many other movies with my family at The Capri Drive-In as a kid. I look forward to continuing to support the Magocs and the great work they do for the Southwest Michigan community.”

“I am pleased to hear of the award that the Capri Drive-in received for their preservation of the outdoor movie theater,” said State Rep. Jennifer Wortz (R-Quincy). “The Capri is an iconic treasure in Branch County. Many families, including mine, have made it a summer routine to go to the drive-in theater. We have many great family memories there, and I hope this award helps younger generations continue to do the same.”

06/01/2026

Great things happen when we champion inclusive growth and development that reflect community priorities.

On May 21, Michele Wildman, MEDC’s Senior Vice President of Community Planning and Development Readiness, joined Woodward Capital Partners’ Zain Mikho, Mayor Mary Sheffield, and partners from Lake Trust Credit Union , Invest Detroit, the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation , and others to celebrate the groundbreaking of The Roma in Brush Park.

This $15.6 million mixed‑use, mixed‑income project is transforming two long‑vacant parcels into 57 new homes, integrated affordable housing, and neighborhood‑serving retail just north of downtown.Backed by a $3.5 million Revitalization and Placemaking grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, The Roma advances local housing priorities and expands access to vibrant, walkable neighborhoods. Located in one of the fastest growing districts in the City of Detroit Government, the Roma showcases how residents with a wide range of income levels can access that neighborhood growth, building a Detroit for all who call the city home.

Supporting community priorities. Fueling development. Building stronger communities across Michigan. Read more about how the partnership came together here: https://lnkd.in/e2W5bK58.