About

Welcome to our site dedicated to the support of innovative regional planning in the global knowledge economy with a focus on Michigan communities. In our current project to develop regional exporting strategies, the Michigan State University Center for Community and Economic Development project team is collaborating with the East Michigan Council of Governments (EMCOG), which covers the Saginaw Bay region, the Economic Development Alliance (EDA) of St. Clair County, and the Eastern Upper Peninsula Regional Planning and Development Commission. The project goal is to research, identify, and take advantage of opportunities for small and mid-size companes (SMEs) to increase exporting to Canada and other foreign markets. Such market expansion can lead to increased company revenues and new jobs. Bi-national regional collaboration provides a complementary track for regional economic development leaders in forging broader strategies with which to compete in the global economy. Bi-national regional strategies can leverage a wider range of assets and resources that don't stop at international borders. A world-class network of experts has been assembled to help guide and implement this 30-month project that is funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration.