The SWMPC has been designated by the Economic Development Administration (EDA) as the Economic Development District for the State of Michigan’s Region 4. To remain complaint and eligible for the EDA’s Planning and Technical Assistance Grant and for the region to be eligible for the EDA’s Public Works and Infrastructure Grant, the SWMPC proctors both a planning process and document called the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). The SWMPC is on a three year planning cycle. 2012 begins is the start of another cycle, making this year a new CEDS, followed by two years of updates.
2012 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy
The CEDS is a unique document in Southwest Michigan and for the SWMPC- it is the only document and planning process that encompasses the entire region. It is also the only document produced by any agency in Southwest Michigan that plans holistically any aspect of life for Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren Counties.
Additionally, this page will be updated regularly with links, documents, and other important information for the CEDS Steering Committee. The CEDS timeline (avaible below) outlines when information, surveys, portions of the CEDS, and meeting information will be available.
The information will be broadly catagorized into Manufacting, Agriculture, and Tourism themes.
Manufacturing
A video about German Manufacturing
http://video.pbs.org/video/2194417708/
Lake Michigan College Manufacturing Forum Newsletter 1.
Statewide Strategies
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) is a public-private partnership serving as the state's marketing arm and lead agency for business, talent and jobs, tourism, film and digital incentives, arts and cultural grants, and overall economic growth.
Check them out at http://www.michiganadvantage.org.
The MEDC recently provided the SWMPC with a Statewide Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics Strategy. Give it a look!
Any update of this site that requires a response (like a survey for meeting times) will be accompanied by an email.
