Lansing Economic Area Partnership | LEAP

Our Regional Growth Department works on coordinated strategies to attract and retain new businesses and talent and to build the Lansing Region into an across-the-board great place to live. This includes efforts such as: ?? Fostering supplier diversification; ?? Pursuing Foreign Direct Investments; ?? Collaborating with partners to offer tax incentives to attract and expand projects; ?? Investing in industry clusters such as MedTech, AgTech, and E-sports; ?? ?? And improving options for attainable housing and high-quality child care. And we’re proud that the average hourly wage of these committed created jobs is $23.97, more than triple the federal minimum wage! ?? Check out some of the impacts we’re most proud of from last year, and read our 2023 Annual Report, “Take the LEAP with Us,” to learn more about many exciting new projects! bit.ly/3Vvp1qh #TakeTheLEAPwithUs #517 #LoveLansing #PureMichigan

Congratulations?to LEAP client Midwest Press & Automation LLC (MPA) for being recognized at the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce?2024?Celebration of Regional Growth Awards earlier this month! ??? Watch the video to learn more about the company,?the expansion of its current Lansing location, its long history and growth, and why it's an excellent team and business. LEAP was proud to support this project by: ? Facilitating Public Act 198 tax abatement with Delta Township ? Securing a Business Development Program (BDP) grant ? Connecting MPA with workforce development resources

?? ?? After yesterday's ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of the Phillips Cider Bar & Pizzeria (Phillips Orchard & Cider Mill), the residents of Maple Rapids will soon be able to enjoy a hot slice of pizza in a beautifully renovated building! Owner Gregg Smyth received a Small Town Enhancement Grant in July, which he used to update the 120-year-old building's facade, flooring, and signage after purchasing the beloved pizzeria that had been closed by the previous owner. The new dining establishment brings energy and excitement to the town, and expands the food options for locals and tourists alike. The LEAP team proudly unveiled the hard work that has been put into restoring the restaurant, and the many memories and economic investments that it will bring in the future!

At LEAP, we believe that small businesses drive the local economy, and that entrepreneurs are true innovators that enrich our communities and our lives. We're celebrating the over 1,000 small businesses that LEAP has supported over the years this #NationalEntrepreneursDay! Don't take our word for it — hear from small businesses about the vital business support services we've provided.

2023-24 was a special year of growth and innovation at the Lansing Regional SmartZone, which LEAP manages. Check out this 2023-24 Impact Report to see how our teams are working to establish the Lansing Regional SmartZone as a premier innovation hub for growing businesses in the Tri-County area! The LRSZ is where cutting-edge technologies take shape, small businesses launch, learn, and grow, and industries are revolutionized. Find case studies, impact stats, new programs, and learn more about the businesses the LRSZ has supported at: https://lnkd.in/g3P5UamE

Tantay Lansing offers authentic Peruvian dishes to customers out of a food truck and a recently opened brick and mortar restaurant. Owner Jose Aste recommends his mushroom and chicken stew, stir-fry, ceviche, and wings. If you're looking to try something new and unique, swing by either location! (?? tantaylansing.com) Preparing to future-proof his business, Jose applied to LEAP's Ascend Hispanic and Latino business accelerator program seeking technical assistance and guidance around developing a business model that includes higher wages (employee retention), supply chain adaptability (sourcing from local/regional food systems), and intentional marketing. See if LEAP's Ascend program is right for your business: bit.ly/3Z5O0Rl #GlobalEntrepreneurshipWeek #SmallBusinessSpotlight

?? ?? Dr. Felipe Lopez Sustaita is an author and motivational speaker who works with the Latino community. "It doesn't matter where we start — it's about where we're going, if we have a vision, a clear understanding of what we want to accomplish," he says. In his book "You Can't Run from Your Destiny: Lessons from a Migrant Worker," he details how he overcame illiteracy in high school to earn a doctorate degree. Felipe works to advance the educational, professional, and entrepreneurial opportunities for underrepresented communities, understanding that higher education is a pathway out of poverty. Aspiring to become a motivational speaker full-time, Felipe applied to LEAP's Ascend Hispanic and Latino business accelerator program to learn all the ins and outs of entrepreneurship. Learn more about Felipe's inspiring story and work at flsandassociates.org Visit bit.ly/3Z5O0Rl to learn more about the business development and technical assistance offered through LEAP's Ascend program. #GlobalEntrepreneurshipWeek #SmallBusinessSpotlight

Justin Christian, owner of Lansing-based Top Shelf Party Rentals, offers affordable rentals of tables, chairs, tents, yard games, event space, and even U-haul trucks to make moving the rented equipment easier to get to and from your event. Next time you're looking to rent equipment to make your event pop, visit https://lnkd.in/eXpDFtUT Through improved operations, increased revenue, and marketing strategies learned from LEAP's Elevate Black business accelerator program, Justin hopes to expand his inventory and rental options to new markets. Check out LEAP's Elevate program at: bit.ly/4ep0iJZ #GlobalEntrepreneurshipWeek #SmallBusinessSpotlight

Call for project applications are open for ? NEW ? 2025 Community Enhancement Grants! Through funding from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, LEAP is calling for project applications up to $10,000 - $100,000 across Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Counties to revitalize communities through new public, place-based infrastructure or fa?ade improvement projects, such as rehabilitating underused buildings, historic structures, and developing permanent infrastructure for social zones, downtowns, and public spaces. Applications for projects must be submitted by a local unit of government agency or quasi-government agency that maintains written support of the local unit of government. Find all the grant details at: https://lnkd.in/dX589N5i Apply by December 31, 2024!

Collective Wellness Counseling and Consulting provides individual, couples, and group therapy. The woman- and Black-owned practice is taking therapy out of the office and into the community to support business owners because they understand that a team's mental health is your company's health. Founder LaTonya Demps believes that therapy should transform from an individual pursuit to a community imperative, because "true wellness is a collective journey that benefits everyone." During LaTonya's participation in LEAP's Elevate Black business accelerator program, she worked to raise the visibility of her business in the community by co-hosting a Wellness Mixer with Ourspace 517, educated local corporations on how to address mental health within their organizations, positioned the company as a trusted expert for employee wellness support, and secured a joint partnership with another mental health agency to expand their service offerings. See more at collectivewellnesscc.com Learn how you can start or scale your business through LEAP's Elevate program at: bit.ly/4ep0iJZ #GlobalEntrepreneurshipWeek #SmallBusinessSpotlight