Regions across the state form consortiums to create innovative programs that encourage current and future residents to make Michigan their home

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Michigan’s Growth Office has announced the recipients and programs selected to receive grant funding through the first round of Make MI Home, the office’s first-of-its-kind regional talent retention and attraction pilot program. The office is awarding $661,250 to five consortiums across the state whose innovative programs will help kick-start population growth by focusing on either retaining current residents or attracting new ones to make Michigan their home.

“As part of our new Make MI Home program, we are supporting communities who have new programs that will help Michigan retain current residents or invite new ones to join us,” said Governor Whitmer (left). “Our growth strategy is focused first on retaining Michiganders, ensuring our young people choose to pursue their careers, start a family, or build a business right here in Michigan. It also serves as a beacon to those across the country seeking a great quality of life at a good cost of living to come and join us. Thanks to the efforts of today’s recipients and so many other partners, I know we will make Michigan an even better place to call home.”

“Michigan offers so many incredible places to live, work, start a business, and raise a family,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II (left). “Make MI Home will build on our momentum to attract and retain more people in our communities. Because each region has its own unique needs and goals, Make MI Home will help communities across Michigan innovate, meet the workforce needs of local businesses, and grow Michigan’s economy. Congratulations to each recipient and the partners who worked tirelessly to make this happen. Let’s keep working together to help more families and business owners ‘make it’ in Michigan.”

“After traveling across our state and hearing from over 10,000 Michiganders last year, my team and I learned each region’s specific challenges will require different solutions, and each Michigan community’s unique offerings deserve to be amplified and shared. The Make MI Home program is unique in the nation in that it allows regions to lead in articulating what they need to grow and prosper, then supports customized talent retention and attraction programs tailored to those communities,” said Chief Growth Officer Hilary Doe (above). “Michiganders are innovative, creative, and we never quit. These new programs are a testament to that fact. We received an incredible amount of interest in this pilot, resulting in a slate of recipients with compelling, forward-looking new program ideas that incorporate data and learnings from the research and reports we’ve shared over the last year. There’s real interest across the state in this critical work. That’s why the Michigan Growth Office plans to announce a second round of Make MI Home funding early next year. Let’s Grow, Michigan!”

Descriptions of each program, funding amounts and consortium partners are included below.

• Discover Southwest Michigan ($100K): Discover Southwest Michigan will deploy robust marketing strategies, relocation support services, and a down payment assistance program to attract talent and increase the population in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties. Its focus will be on bringing in skilled young professionals and their families, with a particular emphasis on those in high-demand fields such as STEM-H (science, technology, engineering, mathematics and health), manufacturing, IT, and skilled trades. Additionally, it will reach out to former residents who left for educational and vocational opportunities in other states, encouraging them to "boomerang" back to Southwest Michigan.
  • Partners include the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber, Southwest Michigan First, Lake Michigan College, Berrien Community Foundation, Southwest Michigan Association of Realtors, Whirlpool Corporation and American Electric Power.
• Grand Valley State University ($200K): Grand Valley State University’s program is designed to retain and attract STEM-H talent by creating accessible pathways for international, Black and Hispanic students interested in attaining their master’s degrees. Participants will receive financial support to help cover the costs associated with moving from campus to a more permanent residence in West Michigan, reverse scholarships, and, for international students, the program will cover the costs associated with applying for Optional Practical Training. This fee is required for international graduates to work in the U.S. post-graduation, allowing them to gain up to 12 months (or 24 months for STEM-H graduates) of practical experience in their field.
  • Partners include the Urban League of West Michigan and The Right Place. 
• Middle Michigan Development Corporation ($20K): Middle Michigan Development Corporation (MMDC) is targeting soon-to-be graduates from Central Michigan University. Selected individuals will receive rental assistance as well as a robust package of non-monetary benefits which includes membership in leadership groups, local park passes, annual recreation facility memberships and a free financial advising session with a local bank.
  • Partners include Central Michigan University, Isabella County, Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce, Mt. Pleasant Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation and the City of Mt. Pleasant. 
• TechTown Detroit, Wayne State University’s Entrepreneurship Hub ($250K): The Live Innovate Play program will target emerging entrepreneurs, with a focus on Black, Brown and female founders who are recent graduates or soon-to-be graduates of Wayne State University. The program is structured to provide all participants with the resources, mentorship and community connections necessary to thrive as entrepreneurs in Michigan. Participants in the program will benefit from access to a co-working space at TechTown Detroit, where they can collaborate, network and grow their businesses. Each participant will also be paired with an ecosystem mentor in residence, offering personalized guidance and strategic advice, helping them navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship. The mentorship will include connections to potential partners and investors, along with ongoing support throughout the program. In addition to mentorship, participants will engage in innovation challenges focused on addressing Detroit’s most pressing social and economic issues. Participants will receive housing support, ensuring stable and affordable living conditions while they focus on building their businesses. 
  • Partners include Wayne State University.
• West Michigan Works! ($91,250): The West Michigan Works! program will enhance the organization's targeted support to New Americans and create a new program to support international students and employers. This work is driven by the need to retain and integrate a growing population of international students, immigrants, and refugees who are contributing to West Michigan's population and economic gains. The program aims to break down barriers to work by:
  • Providing ESL and training, job readiness activities, re-credentialing assistance, and support with resource navigation to New Americans.
  • Engaging with employers to showcase the economic benefits of hiring and retaining international students and New Americans.
  • Offering legal support to employers hiring international students on Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT) visas.
    • Partners include the Literacy Center of West Michigan, Global Detroit, West Michigan Welcome Plan Collaborative, Agribusiness Talent Council, Construction Careers Council, Discover Manufacturing, West Michigan Health Careers Council and West Michigan Tech Talent.

The Growth Office received 20 applications from consortiums across the state for the Make MI Home pilot program, which was available to nonprofits, local governments, economic development organizations, philanthropic foundations and talent attraction organizations in Michigan. These entities collaborated to create new programs specific to retaining or attracting talent in their region. Each consortium has 12 months from the time funds are dispersed to award funding to accepted individuals, who must remain in Michigan for at least 12 months.

“We are deeply honored that the Michigan Growth Office has chosen Discover Southwest Michigan for this forward-thinking pilot program,” said Arthur Havlicek, President & CEO of the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber of Commerce, the parent organization of Discover Southwest Michigan. “As Michigan grapples with the critical challenge of population growth, this investment demonstrates a strong vote of confidence in our region’s potential. With their support, we are ready to launch bold, impactful strategies that will establish a healthy growth cycle in Southwest Michigan and serve as a model for talent attraction efforts throughout the state.”

“We are so grateful for the investment we are receiving for our learners at Grand Valley State University through the Michigan Growth Office,” shares GVSU President Philomena Mantella. “The impact our innovative talent attraction and retention program will make in creating pathways for talent to grow roots and stay in Michigan is immense and life-changing.”

"This pilot gives us the tools we need to expand on the work we've been doing to retain graduating students from Central Michigan University in the Mt. Pleasant area,” said James McBryde, President and CEO of Middle Michigan Development Corporation (left). “Our hope is that through this program, we will be able to create a sustainable model for retention of students and others who are interested in living and starting their careers in communities like ours."

"At Wayne State and TechTown, we are committed to investing in our local talent," said Ned Staebler, Wayne State University Vice President of Economic Development and TechTown President & CEO (left). "This award will enable graduates to transition seamlessly from academic life into the region’s tech and entrepreneurial sectors and provide them with compelling reasons to build their futures here. It's an important acknowledgement that retaining talent is crucial for Michigan's economic growth and revitalization."

“This grant allows us to add resources to the robust support we offer New American job seekers and assists employers in hiring international students,” said Tasha Evans, director of Talent Solutions, West Michigan Works!. “We have been working for several years to expand our capacity, partnerships, and services to meet the increasing workforce needs of New Americans. Immigrants and refugees currently access services including ESL and training, removing barriers to work, job readiness activities, re-credentialing assistance, and support with resource navigation. We’ll now extend our support to employers transitioning international students from temporary work authorizations to permanent residency.”

For more information about Make MI Home, visit: www.michiganbusiness.org/makemihome

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.