Visual Identity Showcases Thriving Life Sciences and Medical Technologies Industry Cluster & Growth Opportunities in Lansing Region

LANSING, Mich.—(April 3, 2024) —The Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP), in collaboration with key Lansing Region stakeholders — Michigan State University, Michigan State University Research Foundation, University of Michigan Health-Sparrow, Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), Neogen, Niowave, MichBio, Emergent BioSolutions, and McLaren Greater Lansing — today unveiled the Lansing Region’s highly anticipated brand launch of Michigan's Health Core. This new brand identity aims to grow and attract new businesses in health, medical technology, life sciences and advanced manufacturing by showcasing the thriving opportunities in the Lansing Region.

Through extensive collaboration with industry experts and stakeholders, Michigan's Health Core has been meticulously crafted to reflect the region's strategic insight and goals for Life Sciences and MedTech industries, both locally and beyond.

"Michigan's Health Core is a testament to the incredible advancements and opportunities within the Life Sciences and Medical Technology industry in our region," said LEAP President and CEO Bob Trezise (left). "LEAP has worked tirelessly to ensure that the brand identity captures the essence of the supporting cast of industries that service the Lansing Region's robust healthcare sector. This brand launch signifies our continued commitment to fostering growth, innovation, and collaboration within this vital sector—and better supports the LEAP Regional Growth Department’s consistent, strong programmatic efforts to grow and attract MedTech and Life Sciences-related companies to the Lansing Region. I’m thrilled to be able to say that our region should stay tuned for more job announcements.”

The brand development and launch occurred following a period of deep primary and secondary research and data analysis that culminated in the Lansing Region’s first Life Sciences and MedTech gameplan strategy in late 2022, as well as two MedTech accelerator programs that were carried out in late 2022 and throughout 2023. None of this work would be possible without the critical primary funding from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) through its Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) grant program that LEAP successfully applied for in the fall of 2020, with matching funds provided by MEDC and LEAP. This scope of work has been rooted in collaboration, with significant engagement with stakeholders from various sectors, including healthcare providers, higher education institutions, public sector leaders, entrepreneurs and industry leaders. Their valuable input and expertise were instrumental in shaping the strategy and Michigan's Health Core brand, which will serve as a unifying force for the region's life sciences and medical technologies industry in the Lansing region.

Michigan's Health Core will showcase the region's strengths and attract new investments, talent, and collaborations. The brand launch will catalyze further growth and development within the Life Sciences and Medical Technology sector, positioning the Lansing Region as a premier destination for healthcare innovation.

“The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is pleased to support Lansing Economic Area Partnership’s (LEAP) leadership in strengthening regional collaboration to bolster Mid-Michigan’s life science and medical technologies industry sector,” said Lee Shirey, EDA’s economic development representative for Michigan & Ohio (left). “The new Michigan’s Health Core will bolster the region’s leadership in critical technologies that will create good jobs, spur private investment, and build economic resiliency.”

“At Neogen, we are committed to the advancement of human and animal wellbeing through science and technology so we can fuel a brighter future for global food security,” said Julie Mann, Neogen chief human resources officer (left). “Through our continued partnership with Michigan’s Health Core, we can work together with the Lansing community to turn ideas into meaningful actions that benefit the health and wellness of people around the world. We are proud to help lead the growth of the life science and technology industry in Mid-Michigan, working with local organizations to achieve a common goal.”

“As a key partner in elevating Michigan’s life sciences ecosystem, we are excited and encouraged by the work that LEAP has committed to in developing and launching Michigan’s Health Core. The life sciences sector is a vital industry statewide, and with the launch of Michigan’s Health Core, we can now more dynamically than ever showcase the Lansing region’s impact,” said Mark Ignash, senior sector development director at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (left).

“Michigan State University is committed to research excellence, providing quality health care close to home and educating tomorrow’s providers. Michigan’s Health Core aligns with our values by working with those across Greater Lansing through discovery and innovation,” said Norman J. Beauchamp, Jr., M.D., M.H.S., executive vice president for health sciences at Michigan State University (left). “We look forward to sharing our stories of transforming health to attract new health care professionals and industry partners seeking to join us in the discovery and implementation of ways to improve the health and wellbeing of our community, state, and nation.”

“The launch of Michigan’s Health Core is an innovative approach to move technologies from the lab bench to the bedside more efficiently, and accelerate the growth of the statewide life sciences cluster with the potential to yield new company formation, high-paying jobs, attraction of capital investment, advance the regional economy, and strengthen Michigan’s position as a biosciences leader,” said Stephen Rapundalo, president and CEO at Michigan Biosciences Industry Association (MichBio) (left).

For more information about Michigan's Health Core and the brand launch, please visit michiganshealthcore.com.

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About LEAP

The Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) is a coalition of area leaders partnering to build a stronger community for all — working every day to grow, retain and attract business to the Lansing, Michigan, region.