Chris Holman welcomes back Bob Trezise, President & CEO of the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP), Lansing's REO Town, MI.

A unified list of Top 10 priorities for statewide growth has just been released — which of these do you believe will have the most immediate economic impact in Michigan, and why?

EDLM regions represent 84% of Michigan’s GDP. How does this collective voice help shape statewide policy compared to regional efforts acting alone?

Talent attraction and retention continues to be a major issue for employers. Can you explain how the proposed Regional Talent Attraction and Retention Fund would work in practice?

EDLM is calling to double the R&D tax credit to $200 million. How critical is innovation funding to keeping Michigan competitive nationally and globally?

Many of these priorities involve revitalization, placemaking, and community development. How does investing in vibrant local communities directly influence business attraction and economic growth?

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Economic Development Leaders for Michigan Unveil Top 10 Priorities for Statewide Growth and Prosperity 

Lansing, Mich. (Aug. 2025) — Economic Development Leaders for Michigan (EDLM), a coalition of the state’s premier regional economic development organizations, today announced a unified list of 10 priorities designed to position Michigan for long-term growth, innovation, and prosperity. 

Representing regions that comprise 79% of the state’s population and 84% of its gross domestic product, EDLM brings together leaders with over 225 years of combined experience in economic development. The coalition is committed to advancing strategies that will drive business investment, talent development, community revitalization, and innovation across the state. 

“A competitive economic development toolbox locally impacts all elements of a community — from small businesses, startups, and entrepreneurs, to placemaking projects like farmers markets, and to successfully attracting brand-new investment and good jobs. The better funded and more robust our state economic development toolbox and programs are, the more revenue we will generate for the state, supporting the quality services we all want,” said Bob Trezise, President and CEO of the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP).  

The Top 10 Economic Development Priorities outlined by EDLM include targeted investments and policy reforms across four key categories:

Business Attraction and Retention

Maintain Business Development Program at $100 million to stay competitive for job-creating investments.
Adopt a performance-based, accountable withholding tax incentive to support impactful project attraction and expansion.
Community Development

Renew and fund the Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) Program at $50 million to support vibrant, place-based development.
Renew and fund the Community Revitalization Program (CRP) at $50 million to reinvest in communities across Michigan.
Modernize locally driven programs:
SmartZone: Extend expiring TIF agreements by 15 years, with potential for additional extensions based on local approval.
Transformational Brownfield Program: Simplify program access and remove funding caps to unlock more redevelopment opportunities.
Fund the Regional Strategic Site Readiness Program at $50 million annually to accelerate development of competitive, investment-ready sites.
Talent

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.

About EDLM

Economic Development Leaders for Michigan (EDLM) is a coalition....

Michigan Business Beat | Bob Trezise, LEAP - EDLM's Top 10 Priorities To Drive Michigan’s Growth

NEW: Reelworld Mini Mix #21 - WJIM - Now FM ‘Lansing, MI' (Composite)

LiveTh3Life (TACTICAL BOOTLEG)

LA CANDELA VIVA (TACTICAL BOOTLEG)

Vic Verchereau welcomes Sheri Jones, who is a Retired News Reporter and Anchor at WLNS TV 6.

Sheri Jones recently retired after almost 37 years of bringing all of us the news on WLNS TV 6 in Lansing.  Jones’s contributions to broadcasting have earned her a well-deserved place in the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame, solidifying her status as a respected journalist.

Sheri is respected and beloved by the Mid-Michigan community for her warm, steady, and compassionate presence.  Her dedication to journalism is further evident through her multiple accolades and memberships in prestigious organizations.  Join Leadership Lowdown host Vic Verchereau as he takes a journey down memory lane with a local TV legend and enjoy the lessons learned from a life in the news spotlight!

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Leadership Lowdown | Sheri Jones - The News is Only Part of The Story...a Life of Service

Jeffrey Mosher welcomes Patrick Patterson, Executive Director · Mid-Michigan Recovery Services Inc. (MMRS), Lansing, MI, to the MBN studio at the Capital Region International Airport.

He had several questions for Patrick in this conversation:

Welcome Patrick, Megan Doherty, President, FD Hayes, connected us, first tell us a bit about MMRS? 

She indicated that you have an event coming up, tell us about that?

Is this a first time, one-off, or ongoing event?

Who does it benefit and why should the business community be aware?

Patrick also wanted to share more information about the Mid-Michigan Recovery Services offerings and how they relate to the business community.

Alcohol and Drug Use and Employment

Employment Costs

 Alcohol and drug disorders (ADD) are a leading factor keeping people out of the workforce.

 But most work

Among the 46 million American adults with ADD, most of them — 30.1 million — remain on the job. (Source: CDC data from 2022) l This contributes to high costs for employers, calculated at an average of $8,817 annually for every employee with an untreated ADD. (National Safety Council)

The tangible costs are related to absenteeism, “presenteeism,” health care, workplace accidents and turnover — but don’t consider additional costs, such as employee morale.

Great site for the issue the NSC

Individual employers can calculate their costs: Search for “NSC Substance Use Calculator.”

Employment has been found to be a motivator for entering and adhering to treatment. (Source: 2020 report commissioned by DOL)

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Michigan Business Beat | Patrick Patterson, MMRS, Services and Upcoming Talent Show Fund Raiser!

Monday, September 8th, MBN was on the road to the Radisson Plaza Hotel & Suites, Kalamazoo, MI.

This was day 2 of 2025's Michigan Works! Association's Annual Conference.

In this video Chris Holman welcomes Carrie Rosingana, CEO at Capital Area Michigan Works! Lansing, serving Ingham, Eaton and Clinton Counties

They discuss the services, and challenges facing his Michigan Works! chapter, along with what he's experiencing with the Michigan Works! Annual Conference.

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Michigan Works! Association Wraps Up 2025 Annual Conference in Kalamazoo

The Michigan Works! Association successfully hosted its 2025 Annual Conference September 7–9 at the Radisson Plaza Hotel & Suites in Kalamazoo. The three-day event brought together workforce development professionals, employers, educators, policymakers, and community leaders to explore solutions for Michigan’s most pressing talent and employment challenges.

The conference opened Sunday with workshops, the Association’s annual meeting, and a networking reception at the Gilmore Car Museum, providing an engaging start for attendees to connect with peers and partners.

On Monday, the agenda featured keynote presentations from Sharon Gai and Dr. Christopher Laney, who offered insights into global workforce trends, leadership, and the future of employment. Attendees engaged in a variety of workshops covering workforce readiness, training strategies, and employer engagement. The Exhibit Hall was a focal point for building connections between businesses, service providers, and Michigan Works! agencies,  (and also where MBN recorded its interviews from). While networking opportunities such as the Dessert Break & Headshot Lounge further fostered collaboration.

The conference concluded Tuesday with workshops and a dynamic closing keynote from Dr. Sherene McHenry, emphasizing leadership, communication, and strategies to strengthen Michigan’s workforce ecosystem. An invitation-only Executive Breakfast also gave business and policy leaders an opportunity to exchange ideas in a more focused setting.

Across the three days, the conference highlighted the critical role of employment in economic development. Employers learned about the tangible costs of workforce gaps, explored innovative approaches to upskilling, and built partnerships to address talent shortages. The emphasis on collaboration positioned Michigan Works! as a vital connector between business needs and workforce solutions.

By drawing together leaders from across the state, the 2025 Annual Conference underscored Michigan’s commitment to building a stronger, more resilient economy through workforce innovation, business engagement, and talent development.

Michigan Business Beat on the Road | Carrie Rosingana, CAMW! - Key Takeaways from MW!A Conference!

Vic Verchereau welcomes Justin Sheehan, who is the Legal Director and General Counsel at Michigan Community Resources.

Justin Sheehan is a Lansing born and bred attorney with a fierce pride for the diverse and resilient Capital City he calls home. A twice over graduate of Michigan State University, in social work and law respectively. As the Legal Director and General Counsel for Michigan Community Resources, Sheehan's organization offers support to nonprofit and grassroots organizations with capacity building services, tailored cohort experiences, and legal guidance. 

His involvement in the area is extensive and includes the Chairman of the Lansing Empowerment Network, Vice-Chairman of The Ourspace Foundation, Board Member of the Lansing Growth Fund, Board Member of The Empowerment Institute for Michigan Foundation, Board Member of the Malcolm X Community Commission, member of the Lansing School District's Multicultural Education Taskforce, and member of the Senior Advisory Team for Lansing Community College's Office of Empowerment. Having helped lead the team for the Lansing Promise, he is someone who cares and is making a difference in the Mid-Michigan area.  

Dial up this edition of the Leadership Lowdown! Host Vic Verchereau gets the scoop on all of the good work being done right here on the Michigan Business Network!

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Leadership Lowdown | Justin Sheehan - Slow Down, No One Can Walk With You When You Are Running Alone

Originally uploaded October 16th, reloaded October 21st.
Jeffrey Mosher welcomed back Jay LaNew, Apprenticeship/Business Services Officer
Capital Area Michigan Works! Lansing, MI but serving Ingham Eaton and Clinton Counties.

In their conversation they covered: 
1. What is Race to Talent, and why is CAMW! putting it on?
2. What are attendees going to see and learn?
3. Why should employers, especially those outside the construction and manufacturing sectors, consider Registered Apprenticeships?
4. Any final thoughts? Details about the event?

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CAMW! prepares to host apprenticeship event

Employers will learn processes, benefits for multiple industries

LANSING, Mich. — Capital Area Michigan Works! (CAMW!), in partnership with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and Lansing Community College, will host an event in the coming weeks showcasing the advantages of Registered Apprenticeships. The event, called Race to Talent, will take place from 9:30-11 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 22, at LCC’s West Campus, located at 5708 Cornerstone Drive in Lansing. 

More than 50 employers have signed up to attend the event, which will feature presentations from employers and apprentices about their own successes, and a panel discussion about the process of establishing a Registered Apprenticeship and how it can benefit businesses, even those outside “traditional” apprenticeship fields.

“With the federal government putting a greater emphasis on apprenticeships, and our own work in trying to bolster our local talent pipeline, now is the perfect time for employers to learn about the win-win of apprenticeships,” CAMW! CEO Carrie Rosingana said. 

WHAT: Race to Talent

WHERE: LCC West Campus, Room M119-121

5708 Cornerstone Drive

Lansing, MI 48917

WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 22, from 9:30-11 a.m.

Employers who still want to register can do so at https://events.resultsathand.com/mwa/3499/registration/1527-Registration-Form. 
###

ABOUT CAMW!
Capital Area Michigan Works!, a proud partner of the American Job Center network, connects with businesses to develop recruiting and retention strategies, and strengthens the local workforce by enhancing education and career opportunities for job seekers. For more information, call (517) 492-5500 or go to www.camw.org.

Michigan Business Beat | Jay LaNew, CAMW! - October 22nd - Apprenticeships - Race To Talent Event

LAFCU Heritage Fest took place Friday, Sept. 26 at LAFCU’s West Lansing branch. This free community celebration featured live cultural performances, music, food, and family activities — including dance groups, a funk/R&B band, food trucks, giveaways, and more. Guests were also encouraged to wear traditional attire to celebrate their heritage.

MBN stopped by over the Noon hour to capture the performances, family fun, and vibrant community spirit.

LAFCU Heritage Fest to be held Friday, Sept. 26 in West Lansing

WHAT: LAFCU Heritage Fest, a free community event featuring culture, food, music and family fun. The event featured live performances by Worship Without Words dance group, Fantasia Ballet Folklorico, and funk/R&B band The Love Effect. Attendees also enjoyed Jeff the Magician, Stilt Dance Project, bounce houses, an interactive Money Machine, food trucks, giveaways, and more. Guests were welcome to wear traditional attire that celebrates their heritage.

Kelli Ellsworth Etchison, Chief Marketing Officer, and Chief Diversity Officer, LAFCU, Lansing, MI, shares the stage with some board members who discuss their volunteer spirit and celebration of the day's festival. Then there are about 12 minutes of sights and sounds from during the festival, including a performance using "Black Is Everything" Ta'Rhonda Jones' Audio. {This will be removed if needed}.

WHO: Community members of all ages attended. The event was free and open to the public.

WHERE: LAFCU West Lansing Branch | 106 N. Marketplace Blvd., Lansing, MI 48917

WHEN: Friday, Sept. 26

WHY: LAFCU Heritage Fest is a living expression of the credit union’s long-standing commitment to community engagement, celebrating the people, traditions, and cultural well-being that make the Greater Lansing region unique.

About LAFCU: Founded in 1936, LAFCU (pronounced laugh-cue) is a not-for-profit, member-owned credit union open to all who live, work, worship or attend school in Michigan, and to Michigan businesses. LAFCU serves more than 74,000 members and holds over $1 billion in assets. With a particular focus on serving people of modest means, LAFCU is committed to enhancing its members' financial well-being and creating long-lasting positive change across generations. Awarded the prestigious Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Community Service Award, LAFCU is known for its people-helping-people mission, which has led to award-winning financial literacy programs for all ages. A three-time honoree as a national ‘Best Credit Union to Work For’ and recognized globally for its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, LAFCU stands out for its commitment to creating an inclusive workplace. Learn more at www.lafcu.com.

# # #

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MBN On the Road | LAFCU Heritage Fest 2025 - Free Community Event Sharing Culture Music and More!

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