Community Growth Academy selects inaugural cohort to tackle economic transition

Peer learning cohort program supporting economic growth to launch this October

LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Community & Worker Economic Transition Office has selected 10 organizations to be members of the Community Growth Academy, a new 18-month program that helps Michigan communities that have been impacted by transitions in the auto and utility sectors plan for long-term economic growth and prepare for future change.

“The goal of the Community Growth Academy is to support a proactive strategy for economic growth in Michigan. We know that economic shifts are always occurring, and we want to make sure those shifts have a positive impact on our communities,” said Community and Worker Economic Transition Office Director Jonathan Smith.

Academy members will receive dedicated support from a technical assistance team, access to competitive grant funding to help implement projects, peer-to-peer learning opportunities, support from state employees with resource navigation and a dedicated, full-time fellow to assist with implementing the strategies designed and developed through the program.

The fellowship program is supported by the Community and Economic Development Association of Michigan. Communities will also have access to a draft version of the Community Transition Playbook, a resource that the Transition Office is developing for communities to use for planning and growth. Feedback from Community Growth Academy members will be used to refine the playbook before it is published for all communities to use.

“We have seen great success in what communities can accomplish with additional capacity through our other fellowship programs.” said Eddie Fakhoury, Executive Director of the Community and Economic Development Association of Michigan. “We are all excited to see how communities will be able to grow through the Community Growth Academy.”

Applicants for the cohort were selected based on impacts from economic transitions, the strength of their participating coalitions and ideas for project areas to support their community growth. The result is a diverse cohort of communities from across Michigan, representing communities with a wide range of economic goals and community needs.

The selected organizations and their communities include:

• 100K Ideas (Flint)
• Detroit Future City
• Downriver Community Conference (Wayne County cities of River Rouge, Ecorse, Wyandotte, Riverview and Trenton)
• Huron County Economic Development Corporation
• Jackson County Chamber of Commerce
• Lake County Economic Development Alliance
• Lake Superior Community Partnership (Delta and Marquette counties)
• Macomb County Department of Planning and Economic Development
• Middle Michigan Development Corporation (Clare, Isabella and Osceola counties)
• Southwest Michigan First (Branch and Saint Joseph counties)

“The Downriver Community Conference is honored to be selected for the Community Growth Academy. This opportunity allows us to build on our work with five cities facing transition along the Detroit River, now as part of a dynamic cohort. We look forward to collaborating with partners statewide, learning best practices, and strengthening our capacity to deliver even greater benefits to our local communities," said Jazmine Danci, Economic Development Administrator, Downriver Community Conference. 

“Lake County Economic Development Alliance is thrilled to be awarded this opportunity to continue the momentum we have built around finding and implementing innovative ways to grow our unique rural economy. We look forward to the resources and partnerships to be gained through our participation in the Community Growth Academy and are so grateful to LEO and our partners who will serve on our local team,” said Tobi Lake, County Administrator and Lake County Economic Development Alliance Board Treasurer.

Individuals interested in applying for one of the community fellow positions can learn more and apply by Oct. 22 online.