MSU Extension Economic Development

News

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  MSU students partner with Michigan communities to improve trail access

  Published on May 30, 2025
  Trail Building, Law and Policy course connects student projects to community development

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  Cultivating local farm economies

  Published on May 30, 2025
  Farm viability requires flexibility, along with innovation in local government planning and zoning to allow for farm income diversification.

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  Planning and zoning for solar in Michigan

  Published on May 30, 2025
  Renewable energy siting laws in Michigan limit the role of local government while expanding the role of the state. A new guide helps communities prepare.

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  MSU Product Center client recognized as one of Michigan’s “50 Companies to Watch” by Michigan Celebrates Small Business

  Published on May 27, 2025
  Four MSU Product Center clients received statewide honors from Michigan Celebrates Small Business at their 21st annual gala in April 2025.

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  Founder of drench LLC, recognized as the MSU Product Center’s 2025 Entrepreneur of the Year

  Published on May 7, 2025
  Karen Akouri of drench LLC, a Detroit-based salad dressing company, was recognized at the 2025 Making It In Michigan event for achieving entrepreneurial business success.

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  MSU Product Center honors Furniture City Creamery with the 2025 Barrier Buster Award

  Published on May 7, 2025
  The Grand Rapids-based ice cream company is recognized for their recent expansion.

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  Charlevoix Cheese Company recognized with 2025 Start-Up to Watch Award at Making It In Michigan Conference

  Published on May 7, 2025
  Persistence pays off for farmstead cheese entrepreneurs.

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  Doodle's Sugarbush honored with 2025 Value-Added Agriculture Award from MSU Product Center

  Published on May 7, 2025
  The Blanchard-based maple syrup company is recognized for their product variety and expansive wholesale market.

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  Great Lakes Tinned Fish wins MSU Product Center’s 2025 Young Innovator Award

  Published on May 7, 2025
  The Grand Rapids-based company is the first Midwest-based tinned fish company to source exclusively from the Great Lakes region.

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  What is, or is not, a charrette?

  Published on April 25, 2025
  Charrette is a very specific type of public involvement system for design and planning projects. Do not be fooled by people calling every public participation event a charrette.