MEDC Named a Power Partner in Michigan Business Success – Again!

Inc.’s 2024 Power Partner Awards ranked the MEDC and its Talent Action Team among 359 organizations and companies from around the country in the Business Products & Services category, citing the MEDC "addresses critical upskilling and talent fulfillment needs for high-tech and priority industries in Michigan, including EVs, mobility, and semiconductors." This is the MEDC's second year in a row as an Inc. Power Partner, and the Talent Action Team's first appearance on the list.   

“We are humbled and honored that the MEDC will once again be recognized as one of Inc.’s Power Partner honorees, and grateful to Calumet Electronics, Delta College, Creative Composites and Orbion Space Technology for their submissions on our behalf,” said MEDC CEO Quentin L. Messer, Jr. “This recognition is a testament to Team Michigan’s commitment to the ‘Make It in Michigan’ economic development strategy that is anchored upon innovative emerging companies with whom we work to attract projects, revitalize communities and support Michiganders with job opportunities across both peninsulas. A lot of work remains to grow more companies, and we are committed to continue rising to the occasion.” 

"Inc. honoring our Talent Action Team as a 2024 Power Partner is an amazing testament to the innovative work, partnerships and progress made over the last year," said MEDC EVP and Chief Talent Solutions Officer Kerry Ebersole Singh. "We hope that our unique approach in bringing together employers, education systems and universities to attract workers and train for high-tech jobs can serve as a model for institutions to follow." 

Inc. Power Partners go through a strict assessment, including an application, client surveys, data collection and analysis of open-source data. Read below for testimonials from Calumet Electronics, Delta College and Orbion Space Technology to see how the MEDC and its Talent Action Team are truly Power Partners within the state of Michigan. 

Todd Brassard, COO at Calumet Electronics: 

We encourage people, businesses, downtowns, housing projects, municipalities, and project planners to always reach out to the MEDC. They offer not just a wide variety of programs but also people who will help find what’s right for you and guide you through the process. Calumet Electronics is an important manufacturer for the US to succeed in next-generation electronics manufacturing. We are also a small business with 340 employees. Without the assistance and incentive programs offered by the MEDC, Calumet Electronics would not have been as successful as quickly.

The programs offered by the MEDC will allow Calumet Electronics to change the landscape of manufacturing technology for advanced electronics in the U.S. The caliber and quality of the MEDC's people, programming, and effort have made possible for Calumet Electronics what would have otherwise been impossible or taken a half-decade to accomplish without their support. 

Pam Clark, Executive Director of Institutional Advancement at Delta College:

MEDC has done an excellent job of convening business and industry from across the state and nation to address issues related to expansion and hiring. And they brought together higher education partners to work together on how best to train and educate students to get them on a pathway to high-paying, high-tech career opportunities across the region.

The MEDC staff also implemented a competitive grant process, which brought funding to Delta College to focus on both K-12 education about semiconductors and to allow for curriculum redesign. Both have been effective efforts and have been well supported by the MEDC staff. The MEDC has been able to build a strong team of business, industry and higher education partners, who are able to share insights and work toward expanding an industry, with a goal of hiring local residents as employees. Our focus has been to provide accessible and industry-relevant training to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in these high-demand, high-paying sectors, and to build a world-class talent pipeline to meet the semiconductor industry's needs. MEDC has been a strong advocate and partner in our work to support the semiconductor industry in our region and statewide.

Brad King, CEO of Orbion Space Technology:  

Orbion Space Technology's decision to partner with the MEDC over competitors was due to the substantial support and tangible benefits provided by the MEDC, which have been crucial in accelerating Orbion's growth and innovation within the aerospace industry. Notably, the state recently bolstered its commitment to supporting the defense and aerospace industry with the creation of a new Office of Defense and Aerospace Innovation (ODAI) which will increase awareness of Michigan’s capabilities, support attraction and expansion of businesses that champion Department of Defense-related activities and enhance commercial and defense-related aerospace segments poised for growth. 

The MEDC continually demonstrates a strong commitment to fostering business development and innovation, as evidenced by their significant investments in programs that support high-tech startups. Orbion, in particular, benefited from the MEDC-supported MTEC SmartZone and the Technology Transfer Talent Network (T3N), which provided essential business development support and access to a network of experienced tech entrepreneurs. This partnership has not only facilitated Orbion's access to critical funding but also enabled the company to leverage new technologies and enhance operational efficiencies, positioning it competitively in the satellite propulsion market. The MEDC’s robust support system, coupled with Michigan's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem, makes the MEDC an invaluable partner for companies looking to innovate, find partners and expand in high-tech sectors. 

Building on MEDC success