A functional definition of social entrepreneurship and social enterprise in the context of Michigan’s legacy cities is necessary for planning. To do this, the project will consist of research on at least five case studies of social enterprises in Michigan cities to illustrate the definition, as well as existing data on the performance of various b…[Read more]

The Fledge is examining the validity of a private, for-profit business incubator. By studying the revenue and equity sharing model being used at the Grand Ledge Fledge, LLC., this Co-Learning Plan will produce recommendations on how to develop sustainable practices for a successful incubator model. Additionally, it will also describe the process…[Read more]

This project will create a cooperative set of practices and initiatives to encourage entrepreneurial activity in Briley Township. Specifically, it will produce a Guide Book for Community Enhancement that will establish a formalized, user-friendly process for encouraging the identification and development of innovative collaboration, commerce,…[Read more]

Over 22% of the Michigan workforce has “some college” but no degree. With the rapid increase of jobs requiring a post-secondary degree, creating programs that encourage the completion of a degree has the potential to improve workplace performance, career development, and the state’s economy. The goal of this Co-Learning Plan promoted online adult…[Read more]

Opportunity Youth, or individuals aged 16-24 who are disconnected from both mainstream employment and a formal education setting, face obstacles that exceed the traditional dynamics associated with unemployment. In this Co-Learning Plan, the author examined the intersection of Evidence-Based Selection Processes (EBSP) with the Opportunity Youth.…[Read more]

This Co-Learning Plan examines the economic effects and sustainability potential of the creation of a Sustainable Ecotourism Alliance Organization (SEAO) in Munising to establish a fully functioning and recognized “Ecotourism” community in the state of Michigan. Munising is located in Michigan’s North Central Upper Peninsula on the South Shore of…[Read more]

Workforce Development is an important component in Economic Development and a primary focus for Michigan’s political leaders. Determining success rates of various workforce Development models is incredibly important in properly spending on workforce programs. The Detroit Training Center investigated the variable success rates of employer -led and…[Read more]

This Co-Learning Plan analyzed the demographics of returning veterans and military retirees, the range of skills these vets possess and the most common obstacles they will encounter. A list of programs serving veterans by state, including financing, training, assistance, etc. was compiled. Lastly, success stories of veterans who have overcome…[Read more]

Mountain biking is an ecotourism activity that has been growing in popularity across the country and especially in Michigan. As interest in mountain biking has increased, a number of individuals and organizations have contributed in developing and expanding the trail systems in and around Marquette. Marquette is situated among the hills and…[Read more]

Connect Michigan created a Co-Learning plan that addressed teleworking, also referred to as “telecommuting,” and its importance to twenty-first century economic development in Michigan. Telecommuting enables an employee to work from a location that is remote from the traditional bricks and mortar environment by utilizing high-speed Internet…[Read more]

New profit and nonprofit enterprise models are capturing the imagination of innovative entrepreneurs to create a way to make a good living while addressing urgent environmental and social needs like quality food, community, inequality and climate change. Community economic development organizations should consider strategies to foster and grow…[Read more]

This Co-Learning Plan discusses how to implement the Generation E model, a five step approach to developing youth entrepreneurship education in your community. Research was done to discover the regions that have the best climate for youth entrepreneurial development and programs will begin shortly after discovery.

This Co-Learning Plan provided research and a visual mapping of the current licensing process for five new and alternative models of food business to take the first step in removing a significant barrier to the emergence of a more diverse, thriving, healthy, and innovative food economy in Detroit.

Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is one of the most popular funding mechanisms used to finance downtown and other local economic development projects in the United States. However, California’s recent dissolution of its over four hundred Regional Development Authorities, many of which relied heavily on tax increment revenue to issue bonds that f…[Read more]

Northern Initiatives (NI) has a successful 28-year track record of making a real and measurable
difference in the daily lives of small business owners and emerging entrepreneurs in the Upper and
Lower Peninsulas of Michigan. Initially founded as an academic program at Northern Michigan
University to “invest in ways of strengthening the r…[Read more]

This Co-Learning Plan created a curriculum of investment readiness education and crowdfunding. The curriculum helped businesses in understanding what potential investors will want to know and help them identify the appropriate capital sources for small businesses. It also explained the provisions of the new MILE law (Michigan Invests Locally Exemption).

This paper and co-learning plan will explore the potential for economic development through community alumni networks. Michigan has been the birthplace of innovative alumni engagement platforms, ranging from the state’s world-class colleges and universities to organizations such as Flint Club and Michigan Corps, both of which created new o…[Read more]

This research focuses on the skills gap in the Michigan manufacturing sector, with an emphasis on how producer firms can play a role to address workforce development obstacles by collaborating with institutions and actors in their local supply chains and industrial clusters.

Following up on 2012’s Co-Learning Plan, this project built on previous research to develop the concept of “online academic abilities” and how states contribute to such an objective.

This research built on national educational attainment and economic growth research and offers an analysis of Michigan efforts to promote investments in education and training that leads to sub-baccalaureate credentials tied to business and industry needs. It included strategies for increasing alignment between economic diversification and growth,…[Read more]