Economic Development

Julie Molenda

SBAM Nurture Benefits program enhances compensation for child care providers

The Small Business Association of Michigan Nurture Benefits will expand access to health insurance, life insurance, and retirement savings for Michigan's child care providers.  

Latest in Economic Development
Midland River Days 2025: Family fun, food, live music, and hot air balloons

Once a tribute to Midland’s history, River Days has evolved into a major family festival featuring balloons, food, music, and community fun at the Tridge.

Midland brings summer fun with sidewalk sales, adult recess, and photo contest

Downtown Midland comes alive this summer with sidewalk sales, weekly adult recess activities, and a photo contest inviting residents to capture life in their community.

Community collaborations help coordinate shelter, food, clothing, and other basic needs alongside behavioral health services. Community Action of Allegan County home-delivered meals drivers.
Mental health agencies strengthen services through community collaborations

Across Michigan, community mental health (CMH) agencies are expanding their reach through partnerships with local organizations that address housing, transportation, and other barriers to care. These collaborations aim to create a more coordinated and accessible mental health system, particularly for individuals with complex needs.  

Enjoy Homestead Sundays, bird banding, kayaking at Chippewa Nature Center this summer

Chippewa Nature Center’s summer lineup includes free, family-friendly educational events. Highlights include Homestead Sundays, bird banding, paddling excursions, and guided nature experiences.

The Fields at Linwood, a lavender farm in Bay County, hosts its annual Open Fields event from July 4-6.
Visitors can tour a growing agritourism farm, specializing in lavender and wildflowers

The Fields at Linwood, a lavender farm in Bay County, hosts its annual Open Fields event from July 4-6.

The front of Chef Sergey’s Bakery in the historic Ashman Circle
Making home (& bread) from scratch: Meet Natalia Iakovleva

Natalia Iakovleva found new beginnings in Midland, where she blends Ukrainian heritage and homemade bread into a story of resilience, warmth, and starting over from scratch.

The owners of the Three Bridges Distillery and Taproom.
Three Bridges distillery expands with craft brews, event space and bigger dreams

Three Bridges Distillery is expanding with a new event space, growing its craft beer and spirits offerings, and eyeing broader distribution while keeping its community roots.

Penny Miller-Nelson
From fields to the classroom: Helping students grow, meet Penny Miller-Nelson

Midland Public Schools Superintendent Penny Miller-Nelson reflects on her journey from a family farm to educational leadership.

Tim Klont is the CEO of MSHDA.
Regional Housing Partnerships do the critical work locally to move needle on Statewide Housing Plan

Michigan’s first-ever Statewide Housing Plan was released in June 2022, almost three years ago. A little over the halfway point of the comprehensive five-year plan, stakeholders and collaborative partners look at just how critical regional housing partnerships are in their own communities — moving the needle forward across the entire state. 

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