The Regional Commission has been involved in economic development since its inception in 1970. The Commission's economic development activities became more focused in 1975, when it was designated an Economic Development District by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration.

The Regional Commission is involved in a number of economic development activities including:

Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)
Required by federal enabling legislation to maintain the region's eligibility for federal development assistance, the Commission prepares the annual Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (formerly known as the Overall Economic Development Program). The CEDS is the document that forms the planning and implementation framework for the region's economic development. The CEDS also lists and prioritizes major development projects proposed by local governments in the region.

Technical Assistance to Local Governments
The Commission reviews and evaluates the proposed projects in the CEDS with respect to available federal/state funding resources, and provides technical assistance to communities to implement these projects.

As a service to local governments with an interest in proceeding with the project, the Commission will provide professional services in implementation on a cost reimbursable basis. Services will include project initiation; grant application writing to grant administration. As a general policy, the Commission will first ascertain that there is reasonable chance of federal/state funding.

Costs will vary depending on the project and staff hours required.

Industrial Park Survey
The Regional Commission also maintains an inventory of industrial parks and sites in the region. The West Michigan Industrial Parks and Sites Study is the first ever, comprehensive analysis of West Michigan's industrial parks and sites. It is also the first study to present a set of recommendations for future economic development infrastructure, in the two to seven year time frame, for West Michigan communities based on a comprehensive analysis and in consultation with local communities and county level economic development organizations.

Project Implementation Assistance
Specialized assistance to local governments and the private sector in implementing economic development projects identified in the CEDS. Assistance can range from federal/state liaison to financial packaging to grant application.

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Products and Publications

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Contacts

For more information concerning the Economic Development Program, please call (231) 722-7878 ext. 18 or contact: