The MSU EDA University Center for Regional Economic Innovation hosted the third annual Innovate Michigan! Summit on Sept. 4 at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center.
The Summit brought together economic developers, entrepreneurs, business leaders, investors, scholars, students, community leaders and others to develop new ways to help Michigan better compete in the global economy.
“MSU and its partners are fully engaged in creating and applying innovative tools, models, policies and programs that can assist with job creation in our state,” said Rex LaMore, director of the Center for Community and Economic Development.
The event continued the work supported by the U.S. Department of Commerce with the MSU Center for Community and Economic Development and the MSU EDA University Center for Regional Economic Innovation.
Funded by a five-year, $915,000 grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, REI is growing a statewide virtual network to help generate new models, policies, and practices that will improve the economic future in Michigan.
“Each year, the REI University Center convenes a summit to disseminate information about the results of partner projects and assist in identifying priority issues for the coming year,” LaMore said. “The event features presentations and poster sessions on new tools and practices, local innovations and technical assistance projects from REI’s previous year’s plan of work.”
REI supports the development and dissemination of innovative tools and strategies employed by professionals and entrepreneurs to use when implementing local, regional and statewide economic development.
The summit presented a summary of the past year’s work, with innovative speakers and presenters offering unique economic development strategies.
Topics ranged from understanding the skills gap to digital literacy and workforce development. University students who partner with REI on student-led, faculty-guided projects also presented their work.
This year’s keynote speaker was Ayleen Robainas Barcia, an architect in the Historian's Office of Havana City.
“Old Havana is the perfect example of self-sufficient urban development with limited resources, the lessons being learned in Havana today are highly relevant to Michigan’s community revitalization efforts.” LaMore said.