Michigan State University Center for Community and Economic Development is excited to announce the receipt of its Year Four EDA Investment Award for the MSU EDA University Center for Regional Economic Innovation. This award marks a continued commitment to fostering innovative economic development tools, models, policies, and practices across distressed regions in Michigan.

Since 2011, REI has been a leader in creating strategic partnerships and facilitating collaborative learning, focusing on communities facing deep-rooted social and economic inequalities. The Center focuses on co-creating with communities turning them into economically vibrant regions that promote high-growth entrepreneurial development and create sustainable, well-paying new-economy jobs.

Rex LaMore, director of MSU's Center for Community and Economic Development, expressed his excitement for the continued impact of this investment: "This sustained partnership between MSU and the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration has facilitated the co-creation and adoption of innovative economic development policies and programs that otherwise would not exist in Michigan. We are grateful for the continuing support of EDA and our many partners throughout the state who have helped us to imagine and co-create transformational opportunities for an improved quality of life in our most challenged communities. "

As part of its ongoing mission, REI engages with communities through various innovative approaches, including Student-Led, Faculty-Guided technical assistance projects that assist local and regional economic development initiatives. Through CoLearning processes, REI collaborates with diverse stakeholders to generate groundbreaking tools, models, and policies. Additionally, REI Innovation Fellows work to integrate these resources into practice throughout Michigan communities. To date, REI has completed 69 Co-Learning Plans, 97 Student-Led, Faculty-Guided technical assistance projects, and 16 Innovation Fellowships, all aimed at bolstering economic resilience and development throughout Michigan. REI's collaborative efforts have had over $68 million in economic development across the state.

This story originally appeared on the EDA Center for Regional Economic Innovation website.