The Economic Growth Institute has been awarded a STEM Talent Challenge Grant from the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA).  The EDA announced $2 million in grants to seven organizations on January 19, 2021.  The inaugural STEM Talent Challenge aims to boost local science, technology, engineering, and math talent through STEM workforce readiness while fueling innovation and entrepreneurship in emerging and transformative sectors. EGI will implement an Advanced Manufacturing Cybersecurity Work-and-Learn Program (AMCP), which combines online instruction and [read more]

Jani Hatchett has been named the new Outreach Project Manager for the Great Lakes Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (GLTAAC), which administers the federally-funded Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms (TAAF) program and is located at the Economic Growth Institute. In her new role, Jani leads the direct one-on-one engagement with manufacturers in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio who have been directly hurt by imports, offering assistance with accessing the program. She also connects with manufacturing industry associations, as well as regional business support [read more]

Study explores emerging middle skill jobs in the connected and automated vehicle sector Ann Arbor, Michigan: Connected and automated vehicles (CAV) present future economic opportunities for companies and regions that are able to capitalize on their growth.  Often overlooked in this evolution are the middle skills jobs that will be integral in this sector’s development.  While many workforce reports emphasize the gaps in highly-skilled positions, such as engineers, the middle skills jobs are also evolving and skill set gaps [read more]

Decision Coaching Training Launches The Economic Growth Institute and Allovance launch training to change how the world makes decisions.  Ann Arbor, Michigan: In partnership with Allovance, an innovative Ann Arbor, Michigan based firm founded by University of Michigan alumni Dr. Sherif Farghal, that refined the decision-making methodology, the Economic Growth Institute at the University of Michigan today announced they have developed an easy to follow program to teach individuals everything they need to know about becoming a Decision [read more]

Stay Safe: For those that stay in operation, follow guidance from the CDC and your state authorities on social distancing policies; protect your most valuable asset, your employees. Use this time to show that you care about their wellbeing. Communicate, communicate, communicate: Employees, customers, and suppliers  are anxious about the future. Stay in communication with all, especially if you have to work remote. Take care to let laid-off workers know that you will bring them back [read more]

Abess Makki developed an early appreciation for infrastructure.  When a student at Wayne State University, he started an organization to build water infrastructure in developing countries.  Developing basic services is a welcome investment in many parts of the world.  However, Abess believes infrastructure can be taken for granted in places like the United States, where there is a growing need for more investment and maintenance for water systems and other basic services. He has drawn on this experience to [read more]