Elevate Forum 2025 Advancing Manufacturing, Communities, and Economic Development Date Thursday, March 6, 2025 8AM - 4PM Location University of Michigan North Campus Research Complex (NCRC) 2800 Plymouth Rd Building 18 Ann Arbor, MI 48109 Event Registration Limited space! Register for your free ticket below: [read more]
Mengjie Lyu, PhD Senior Research Project Manager Email: mjlyu@umich.edu Mengjie Lyu is a research project senior manager contributing to EGI’s empirical and applied research projects. Using both quantitative and qualitative research approaches, Mengjie leads and supports multiple studies, collaborating closely with EGI partners and U-M faculty on a diverse range [read more]
University of Michigan Economic Growth Institute and Michigan State University Industrial Training and Assessment Center Awarded Department of Energy Program to Develop EV Transition Playbook The University of Michigan Economic Growth Institute (EGI) and Michigan State University Industrial Training and Assessment Center (MSU-ITAC) have been awarded $500,000 by the Department of Energy (DOE) [read more]
In this summer newsletter, we cover a range of topics including MiVTTP's completion of listening sessions across 11 communities, and MDRC's support for energy storage and battery manufacturing. There is also important information about new funding opportunities for automotive manufacturing suppliers in Southeast Michigan. We provide updates on EGI Research, including the completion of [read more]
Jessi Kittel, MS Workforce Development Lead Email: jessik@umich.edu Connect with Jessi on LinkedIn In her dual roles at the Economic Growth Institute and the Electric Vehicles Center, Jessi Kittel leads strategic initiatives within Workforce Development and Education, focusing on building a talent pipeline for the burgeoning electric vehicle industry. Jessi [read more]
The Economic Growth Institute, in collaboration with Michigan Clean Cities, has released a report sharing insights from a series of community listening sessions. These sessions, an initiative of the Michigan Vehicle Technology Transition Impact Project (MiVTTP), gathered valuable input from 104 participants representing 11 diverse communities in lower central and southeast Michigan, highlighting the [read more]
The U.S. youth camp industry contributes $70 billion to the national economy, accounting for the total value of the camp industry’s production and its ripple effects—which include business-to-business purchases and labor income, according to a study from the University of Michigan. This figure represents the industry’s overall economic impact across the nation while also [read more]
The Economic Growth Institute has navigated regional economic transitions this year, with initiatives in electric vehicle transitions and strategic community planning. Our research has informed vital strategies for inclusive growth, while our inaugural Elevate Forum facilitated critical industry dialogue. Learn more about our work this past year in our 2024 annual report. [read more]
Our spring newsletter includes stories about programs responding to new energy technologies, including the Michigan Vehicle Technology Transition Impact Project, which is working with communities preparing for the EV transition, the Michigan Defense Resiliency Consortium, which is supporting energy storage and battery production for defense, and STC, which continues to assist automotive suppliers. We [read more]
Benjamen Spisak Project Manager Email: bspisak@umich.edu Benjamen Spisak is a Project Manager working with the EGI's business and industry programs. As an experienced trusted advisor and manufacturing advocate, Ben helps manufacturing leaders identify new opportunities for innovation. Through his work at EGI, he supports business leaders across Michigan. He helps connect [read more]
