The Detroit Regional Partnership has brought together economic development leaders from across the 11-county region to form a new policy coalition that seeks to “ensure Michigan can compete and win on the national stage.”
Formed by local economic development leaders, the Southeast Michigan Economic Development Coalition marks a new chapter in aligning the region’s voice around shared values, strategic priorities, and actionable policy principles.
At its core, the collaboration is about strengthening communities by creating more and better economic opportunities for Michigan residents.
By combining the expertise of regional economic development leaders, the Detroit Regional Partnership states it “can modernize Michigan’s economic development processes” to attract jobs and investment, and help build communities.
“Our peer states like Georgia, Texas, and Ohio are not waiting,” says Maureen Donohue Krauss, president and CEO of the DRP. “They are investing in clear, long-term economic development strategies that give businesses confidence and communities the tools to succeed. Michigan must do the same if we want to win.”
As state lawmakers consider new directions for economic policy, the coalition urges them to use its framework as a guide. According to the coalition, the core conditions that must be in place for any economic development strategy to truly succeed include:
Consistency and Credibility: Develop a predictable, well-funded, long-term vision, avoiding sudden policy shifts that erode Michigan’s reputation as a trusted partner and negatively impact long-term planning and decision-making among in-state partners and expanding businesses.
Benchmarking Competitors: The Detroit Region faces global competition for jobs, talent, and investment. Michigan must keep pace by refining policies and programs with the evolving needs of businesses, residents, and communities.
Balanced Strategies: Infrastructure, quality of life, and business growth are all essential to Michigan’s success and any new legislation “must work to limit pitting one priority against another and strike a balance between people, places, and projects.”
Regional Collaboration: Local economic development leaders are essential partners in shaping and implementing effective statewide policy. With deep community insight and continuity across administrations, they are on the front lines ensuring programs and projects succeed on the ground.
Targeted Tools for Growth: The coalition believes that impactful programs delivering measurable results should be prioritized, including performance-based incentives, streamlining brownfield redevelopment processes, expanding site readiness efforts, and supporting innovation hubs and startup ecosystems.
Organizations participating in the Southeast Michigan Economic Development Coalition include:
- Ann Arbor SPARK
- Detroit Economic Growth Corp.
- Flint and Genesee Group
- Lapeer Development Corp.
- Lenawee Now
- Macomb County
- Monroe County Business Alliance
- Oakland County Economic Development
- Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership
- St. Clair County Economic Development Association
- Wayne County Government
Launched in 2019, the Detroit Regional Partnership is a public-private, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit economic development partnership focused on marketing and business attraction for the 11-county Detroit Region.
For more information, visit DetroitRegionalPartnership.com.
