Crafting a New Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for Southeast Michigan

SEMCOG’s economic development work is driven by the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) – which we update every five years in concert with the Metropolitan Affairs Coalition (MAC). The CEDS centers on a collective vision built through a great deal of input from members and partners. Our current CEDS, Increasing Shared Prosperity for a Resilient Economy: Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for Southeast Michigan, was adopted in March 2021 and provides the roadmap for addressing regional economic issues.

Our region is home to an abundance of resources that contribute to economic opportunity. These include our workforce, built environment, as well as a variety of educational, industrial, natural and geographic assets. These interrelated resources coalesce to form the basis of our regional economy across three pillars: Place, Talent, and Business.

SEMCOG hosted a series of interactive forums over the summer to kick off our stakeholder engagement process for the CEDS update, which enabled engagement with member communities and organizations as well as other regional partners. This dialog provides us with a better understanding of economic development challenges and opportunities, and to identify priorities related to the three key pillars.

In November, SEMCOG staff had the pleasure of visiting St. Clair, Monroe, Livingston, and Washtenaw counties.

The county input meetings allowed us to hear from partners working on the frontlines in economic development, workforce development, K-12 and post-secondary education, planning and zoning, transportation, and parks and recreation. Additionally, we were fortunate to be joined by partners from the private sector to provide their insight and experience. We are grateful to have heard from a wide array of stakeholders who are working to attract and retain talent, to enhance the business climate for companies of all sizes, and to create and market great places within the region. Our regional partners have a critical role in creating a high quality of life and driving economic prosperity in Southeast Michigan.

What We’ve Heard So Far

SEMCOG Economist Brian Parthum speaks at the St. Clair County Economic Development Input Meeting in Port Huron on November 12, 2024.

Southeast Michigan’s portfolio of Place assets features quality-of-life amenities, such as the Great Lakes and natural areas that support recreational and cultural assets; historic downtowns, dynamic urban centers and diverse neighborhoods; accessible mobility options for people and goods; high quality universities, colleges, and local school systems; first-class medical facilities and healthcare choices; and much more. These are the things that make Southeast Michigan a desirable location to live, work, visit, and conduct business.

During the Place Forum on August 7 and throughout the county input meetings, the key discussions around Place included:

• Strong desire for continued development and promotion of our parks, trails, and outdoor resources.
• Main streets and downtowns – strong downtowns help bolster the rest of the community and will help attract people.
• Need for more affordable, desirable and diverse housing and neighborhood options across Southeast Michigan.
• The importance of improving and expanding transit and mobility options to support workers, businesses, and enhancing regional connections.
• Engaging the public to promote housing and business developments to increase jobs and economic opportunities.
• Promoting the link between quality places, creating a strong business climate, and attracting and retaining talent.

We also heard a lot about Talent, which is critical to growing our economy and creating well-paying jobs for Southeast Michigan residents. The talent development system connects education, workforce development, and employers to effectively respond to the needs of employers and individuals. It provides infrastructure that enables students to gain the education they need for career success; it enables adults to develop and leverage their academic, employment, and personal skills for professional growth; and helps employers ensure that their current and future workforce has the skills needed.

Conversations at the Talent Forum in August, as well as the county input meetings in November, included the following themes:

• Developing, attracting and retaining high skilled talent to align with employer demand is a huge priority for stakeholders across the region.

Attendees discuss challenges and opportunities at the Monroe County Economic Development Input Meeting at Monroe County Community College on November 13, 2024.

• Addressing barriers to workforce participation – childcare, elder care, transportation, and housing issues create a need for strong, comprehensive wraparound services.
• Southeast Michigan has a declining prime-age labor force (ages 25-54) and a shortage of skilled trade workers. There is an overall feeling that the way skilled trades careers are promoted needs to change to highlight the opportunities that exist.
• Long-term sustainable funding is needed for the continuation of existing and new apprenticeship and employer-led training programs.
• The availability of affordable, flexible, and convenient access to education is a priority across the region, along with making sure that K-12 students and adults are aware of these educational options.

Lastly, a successful regional economy fosters Business growth in a way that enhances community vitality; creates jobs; retains vital industries, helping them transition to the changing marketplace; and welcomes new businesses and entrepreneurs by equipping them with the resources and capital they need to be successful. A strong business climate creates an environment that is conducive to business growth and job creation.

Economic development stakeholders in Livingston County discuss local and regional issues during the Livingston County Economic Development Input Meeting in Howell on November 19, 2024.

Discussions at the Business Forum in September and the county input meetings in November identified the following key issues:

• Access to capital continues to be a huge challenge for entrepreneurs, micro-businesses, and startups. It is difficult for small businesses to get financing at reasonable terms.
• Business owners are often unaware of the local permitting process. Streamlining these processes and making them more predictable are a win-win for communities and applicants.
• We need to find sustainable sources of funding to support businesses as many COVID era programs are ending.
• We have a strong and growing entrepreneurial ecosystem in the region, but many businesses end up going somewhere else due to a lack of talent for newer industries.
• Infrastructure demand/capacity often hampers growth for new or growing companies.

Dr. Rose Bellanca, President of Washtenaw Community College, delivers her welcoming remarks at the Washtenaw County Economic Development Input Meeting at Washtenaw Community College on November 22, 2024.

As we head into 2025, SEMCOG will continue to analyze the input from the summer forums and the county input meetings. We will be reaching out to our regional economic development partners to schedule one-on-one meetings to learn about specific needs and priorities when it comes to economic development, workforce development, and placemaking. We will also be launching a public engagement effort to incorporate public perceptions and concerns related to economic development.