SEMCOG’s economic development work is driven by the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) – which we update every five years in concert with the Metropolitan Affairs Coalition (MAC). The CEDS centers on a collective vision built through a series of input sessions in each county. Our current CEDS, Increasing Shared Prosperity for a Resilient Economy: Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for Southeast Michigan, was adopted in March 2021 and provides the roadmap for addressing regional economic issues.
To further support economic development in the region, SEMCOG was designated as an Economic Development District (EDD) by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) in 2023, joining over 400 EDDs across the nation that are focused on economic development planning and project implementation that aligns with their region’s CEDS. As part of that designation, SEMCOG formed its new Economic Development Council (EDC) in early 2024 to oversee and facilitate the development, maintenance, and implementation of the CEDS.
The Council is co-chaired by Mayor Roslyn Grafstein from the City of Madison Heights and Khalil Rahal, Director of Economic Development for DTE Energy. The Council membership features a broad representation of the economic interests of the region, including county and local government representatives, economic development agencies, educational institutions, workforce development agencies, labor organizations, employers, and other private-sector stakeholders and community-based organizations.
The EDC will provide a boost for regional economic development initiatives, as it will work to align public and private investment in the region and connect eligible local governments and higher education institutions to federal and state financial assistance programs. SEMCOG’s designation as an Economic Development District helps to make our region more competitive for EDA funding, as having an EDA-approved CEDS is a prerequisite for applying for EDA grant programs.
However, as Lee Shirey - Economic Development Representative from the EDA – told the Economic Development Council in December, “the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy is not just specifically for getting EDA funding, other agencies use it as well [for] investments. It is an opportunity for regional partners to build a collective vision for economic prosperity and a high quality of life.”
Southeast Michigan is home to an abundance of resources that contribute to economic opportunity. These include our workforce, the built environment, the natural environment, and our educational and industrial assets – all of which are interrelated and collectively form the basis of our regional economy across three key pillars: Place, Talent, and Business. These pillars serve as the backbone of our CEDS.
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