Regional economic development collaborative created

Twelve economic development organizations across Southeast Michigan have joined together to create the Economic Development Coalition of Southeast Michigan (EDCSEM). The coalition will be focused on the following efforts within Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Washtenaw counties:

• expanding the capacity for entrepreneurialism and innovation in the region,

• identifying priorities and jointly seeking federal and state resources to advance economic development in Southeast Michigan, and
  

• partnering on policy initiatives that support economic growth in the region.

EDCSEM was convened by Detroit Renaissance, whose CEO Doug Rothwell, says, “We are looking at what programs we need, what expanded services we need to provide to facilitate the diversification of our economy.”

The group will aim to identify gaps in services that hinder the achievement of their goals. One that has already been discovered, according to Rothwell, is that “There is not enough capital to serve people that want to be starting up their own business or expanding their existing one.” He cites EDCSEM member organizations Automation Alley, TechTown and Ann Arbor SPARK as three examples of the type of programs that need expansion, and also need to be replicated around the region.

EDSCSEM member organizations include: Ann Arbor SPARK, Automation Alley, Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, Detroit Regional Chamber, Detroit Regional Economic Partnership, Detroit Renaissance, Macomb County, Oakland County, NextEnergy, TechTown, Tourism Economic Development Council and Wayne County. The group will meet bi-monthly, and staff will be provided by Detroit Renaissance and Detroit Regional Chamber.

Source: Doug Rothwell, Detroit Renaissance
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh