Community Economic Development Association of Michigan (CEDAM)

CEDAM is excited to announce the 10 host communities chosen for the 2025-2026 Community Development Fellowship! These communities have identified dynamic projects with themes of housing, public art, marketing, and small business support. Allegan Battle Creek Brooklyn Calumet Cass City Cassopolis Detroit Elk Rapids Roscommon Saginaw CEDAM’s Community Development Fellowship is possible through funding and partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). We look forward to working with them again this cohort to support the communities and incoming fellows through technical assistance and professional development opportunities. The sixth Community Development Fellowship starts in January. Fellow applications open October 14. Learn more: https://ow.ly/uvz550TanoA

Are you interested in supporting climate action and exploring a future in Michigan’s growing climate and energy economy? Time is running out to apply to be a member of the second MI Healthy Climate (MHC) Corps cohort! Several communities, agencies, universities, and nonprofits throughout the state around the state have openings for MHC Corps positions available. Members will help us work toward a just and sustainable future for Michigan and be transformed along the way. As a MHC Corps member, you will: - Provide meaningful capacity support for aligned climate projects in government and nonprofit organizations across the state - Serve as ambassadors of federal and state resources and be available to support partner organizations’ climate efforts - Participate in fellowship building and training as well as professional experiences to develop your skills for the long haul Being a part of the MHC Corps will provide invaluable training and professional experience to help you launch a successful career in this space. We encourage all those who are interested to apply, especially individuals from historically underserved communities and those on the frontline of climate impacts. Individuals must be 18 years old to serve; no degree or formal work experience is required. The service term runs November 2024-October 2025. Hurry! The last day to apply is September 8. https://lnkd.in/gejY-qXU The MHC Corps is an equity-centered Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy program in partnership with the Michigan Community Service Commission. CEDAM serves as the operating partner.

Meet Sharanya! Sharanya started in June and is CEDAM’s new policy manager. She is the final of our summer new-hire interviews. Sharanya comes to CEDAM with a master’s in public policy and a strong background in policy and activism, centering equity, racial justice, and intersectionality in all she does. Prior to joining CEDAM, Sharanya worked at the Child & Adolescent Data Lab and the Center for Racial Justice; she was part of the team that founded The Center. Our communications specialist, Jennifer, interviewed her to get to know her and hear about her experience and motivations in the policy and advocacy field. Read the entire interview on our website: https://ow.ly/6hnv50T971z

We are thrilled to announce the communities, agencies, universities, and nonprofits throughout the state selected to host a MI Healthy Climate (MHC) Corps member as part of the next cohort! We look forward to supporting the MHC Corps members and sharing their impact across Michigan. The MHC Corps is a Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) equity-centered program in partnership with the Michigan Community Service Commission, focused on advancing and reaching Michigan’s Healthy Climate Plan goals, building capacity across the state, and helping guide federal and state resources and support. Does this sound like something you’re interested in? Member applications are now open for the second MHC Corps cohort! Being a part of the MHC Corps will provide invaluable training and professional experience to help you launch a successful career in this space. We encourage all those who are interested to apply, especially individuals from historically underserved communities and those on the frontline of climate impacts. Individuals must be 18 years old to serve; no degree or formal work experience is required. The service term runs November 2024-October 2025. Apply by September 8. Learn more: https://ow.ly/HBNO50T6SFp

CEDAM is thrilled to announce the launch of the Predevelopment Assistance Partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) through their Redevelopment Services Team. The Predevelopment Assistance Partnership provides strategic counsel and financial resources to certified Redevelopment Ready Communities to move community development projects forward. Learn more about the partnership and how this initiative removes barriers to development in our latest blog post: https://ow.ly/80kB50T1yFt

Join CEDAM for our next webinar, The Nonprofit Advocate, on October 21 from 1-2pm. Advocacy is a critical part of the community economic development field's work. Join us to discuss how nonprofit organizations can advocate for their work and on behalf of their communities. This webinar, led by CEDAM’s policy team Jessica Acmoody and Sharanya Pai, will differentiate between key terms such as education, advocacy, and lobbying; discuss advocacy strategies; and make sure your organization is empowered to build strong relationships with elected officials. Register today: https://ow.ly/OEwO50T1y0z

Are you interested in supporting climate action and exploring a future in Michigan’s growing climate and energy economy? Apply today to be a member of the second MI Healthy Climate (MHC) Corps cohort! Members will help us work toward a just and sustainable future for Michigan and be transformed along the way. As an MHC Corps member, you will: - Provide meaningful capacity support for aligned climate projects in government and nonprofit organizations across the state - Serve as ambassadors of federal and state resources and be available to support partner organizations’ climate efforts - Participate in fellowship building and training as well as professional experiences to develop your skills for the long haul Being a part of the MHC Corps will provide invaluable training and professional experience to help you launch a successful career in this space. We encourage all those who are interested to apply, especially individuals from historically underserved communities and those on the frontline of climate impacts. Individuals must be 18 years old to serve; no degree or formal work experience is required. The MHC Corps is an equity-centered Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy program in partnership with the Michigan Community Service Commission. CEDAM serves as the operating partner. Apply by September 8. Learn more: https://ow.ly/Inmz50T21lo

Registration is open for CEDAM’s 2024 Regional Events! This year, CEDAM is hosting two centrally-located regional events: one in Gaylord and the other in Lansing. CEDAM’s regional events provide our members and network at large the opportunity to connect with peers, industry leaders, state agency representatives, and the CEDAM team. From new State housing funding to capacity-building programs, we look forward to sharing resources and initiatives with you that can help advance your work. Light refreshments will be provided. Registration is required in advance. The deadline to register for the Gaylord event is September 27. The last day to register for the Lansing event is October 8. We hope to see you at a Regional Event this fall! Register for Gaylord: https://lnkd.in/dUqHPyjK Register for Lansing: https://lnkd.in/dZMFRyRM

This spring, Shate'ja Curry, CEDAM's Community Development Fellowship program manager, visited fellow, Olivia Graham, in the City of Laingsburg. Shate’ja also met with the city clerk, Kim Hamilton, deputy treasurer clerk, Cassy Brown, and Dan DeKorte, chief of police. They did a walking tour of downtown, had lunch at a local business, and discussed Olivia’s contributions to the city throughout her time with the fellowship. "My favorite part [of the fellowship] is being able to have the flexibility to work on a bunch of different projects for the municipality and not having to focus or direct my time only on one thing,” shared Olivia. “I've enjoyed the grant writing aspects and learning more about the specific legislation that helps with some grant programming. Also, I've just really enjoyed general community development programs, working on tasks related to tax abatement, and working with my coworkers, Cassy and Kim!" Time is running out to apply to host a community development fellow during the next cohort. If you are aware of a community engaged with RRC that would benefit from the added capacity a fellow could bring, we encourage you to share this with them! The application closes August 19. https://ow.ly/6csU50SWih5

MEDC’s Redevelopment Services Team is thrilled to launch the Predevelopment Assistance Partnership with the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan (CEDAM) , removing barriers to development in certified RRCs. We’ll continue to cut the red tape so developers can cut the red ribbon on successful community-driven development projects! https://lnkd.in/gT3maCwy