MSU Extension and the MEDC continue partnership to boost Michigan tourism

Andy Northrop<northro5@msu.edu>, Michigan State University Extension -

A partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation continues into its sixth year to provide Michigan communities with the opportunity to receive feedback from a team of first-time visitors.

For decorative purposes.

Michigan State University Extension is excited to announce a continuing partnership with Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). Now in its sixth year, MEDC is supporting two of MSU Extension’s First Impressions Tourism (FIT) assessments for Redevelopment Ready Certified (RRC) communities and/or Michigan Main Street (MMS) communities at the Select or Master Levels in 2026. This is a great opportunity to receive hands-on technical assistance from MSU Extension’s team of experts, increase community engagement, and begin to build upon your community’s unique assets informed by the perspective of first-time visitors.

For those unfamiliar with the award-winning tourism assessment program, FIT is a comprehensive community assessment conducted by unannounced (although invited) visitors in a host community. Overall, FIT helps communities see themselves better through the eyes of first-time visitors.

Communities have leveraged this support to strengthen their economic development and marketing strategies and implement many place-based development goals.

What is FIT? 

Through MSU Extension’s FIT assessment program, unannounced visitors use a manual of established guidelines to record and assess their first impressions of the host community. The data is then aggregated and provides the basis for the future public forum in the host community that engages leaders, residents, business owners, and the general public. A final written report outlining outcomes and results is provided to the leaders responsible for submitting the program application, known as the Community Leadership Team.

The FIT program provides a rapid assessment of community dimensions like transportation, hospitality, aesthetics, environment, walkability, bikeability, availability of visitor information, interactions with community members, and tourism assets (agriculture, nature, food, water) that contribute to the overall attraction of a community.

Learn more about how the FIT assessment process works in this short video.

How can your community get FIT?

If your community is currently a Redevelopment Ready Certified community or at the Select/Master Level of Michigan Main Street through the MEDC, learn more about FIT and how to best prepare your community for the application process by joining MSU Extension’s FIT program lead, Andy Northrop, via Zoom in November during the MEDC-hosted meetings to have your questions answered. Registration is not required.

Upcoming RRC and Select/Master Level MMS Communities

  • November 18: 10 - 11a.m. (MMS Bi-Weekly Director Call)
  • November 18: 2 – 3 p.m. (Certified RRCs)

FIT is also open to Michigan communities outside of the partnership with MEDC identified in this article. Contact Andy Northrop (northro5@msu.edu) to learn more about how you can attend one of the upcoming webinars or explore the FIT program for your community.

Past MEDC partner FIT assessments to date include:

Learn more about FIT in Michigan

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

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  • community,
  • economic development,
  • entrepreneurship,
  • first impressions tourism,
  • government,
  • msu extension,
  • planning,
  • tourism