Michigan communities large and small are growing in population thanks to strong economic opportunity and a Pure Michigan quality of life that helps attract and retain talent. The latest city-level data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows Michigan experienced population growth between 2010 and 2020 across the state. Read how economic opportunity led to a renaissance of the Detroit region, how college towns like Allendale, Houghton and Ann Arbor are seeing population growth, and how Pure Michigan’s quality of life in places like Houghton Lake and Traverse City continues to draw new population to the state.

MEDC’s Quentin L. Messer, Jr., CEO and President and Chair of the Michigan Strategic Fund, was a recent guest on the Michigan VCtalk podcast, hosted by Ara Topouzian, Executive Director of the Michigan Venture Capital Association. During their conversation, Messer shares his observations since arriving to Michigan in mid-2021 and his views on the importance of venture capital and how it plays in the state’s overall economic growth.

Michigan companies looking to reach established or emerging foreign markets with their products or services can benefit from connecting with MEDC’s International Trade Program. One of MEDC’s export services involves access to an extensive network of international trade centers representing more than 135 countries. Companies can take advantage of customized services at no cost including market research and entry strategy, business matchmaking, partner and distributor prequalification, pricing analysis and so much more.

Read a testimonial from Grand Rapids-based Curriculum Works who utilized MEDC’s Arab Gulf center to find a partner that earned the company a lucrative contract, making their product available to 50,000 schools and 1.2 million teachers educating 22 million students in Egypt.

A recent episode of The Michigan Opportunity podcast features Amy O’Leary, Executive Director of Southeast Michigan Council of Governments and President of Metropolitan Affairs Coalition. O’Leary joins host Ed Clemente to discuss the big-ticket items that effect the businesses, citizens and environment of the seven-county region of Southeast Michigan. Her near three decades of experience position her to lead both organizations that are aimed at retaining, growing and attracting businesses and talent to the region. You can also read the transcript from the conversation.

Michigan Economic Development Corporation helps to connect businesses to new resources, meet new partners and access the additional capital they need from the start. If your business needs support to reach its new potential, the MEDC is available to help. Visit michiganbusiness.org/pure-partnership to find customized business assistance.